When a person refers to something as a “pain in the neck,” you know it’s something bad. Chronic neck pain is even worse and difficult to endure because it interferes with life’s most basic tasks — sleeping, cooking, cleaning, and even thinking can all be next to impossible when the pain just won’t go away. It’s no wonder so many folks suffering from chronic neck pain are in constant pursuit of relief.
What can you do if you’ve endured neck pain for twelve or more weeks? Is there real relief within reach? If so, where do you find it?
The Perils of Chronic Neck Pain
Neck pain stems from a variety of causes, such as poor posture, prolonged periods of sitting or standing, stress, aging, and even sleeping in an awkward position. But when that pain just won’t go away, it’s considered “chronic” — lasting for three or more months. If you’ve been suffering from pain for that long, it’s likely that some of the treatments just aren’t providing the relief you need.
More serious causes of chronic neck pain include diseases like osteoporosis, arthritis, and spinal stenosis or injuries resulting from auto accidents or sports mishaps.
Living with chronic neck pain can severely impact a person’s daily life. It can limit mobility, restrict one’s ability to engage in everyday activities, and even affect your mood and mental health. Finding real relief becomes life’s top priority.
Seeking Professional Help Near You
While over-the-counter painkillers or home remedies may provide some temporary relief, chronic neck pain often requires professional medical intervention. Ignoring persistent neck pain or resorting to self-medication can lead to complications over time. It can worsen the condition, cause irreversible damage, or even indicate an underlying health issue that needs immediate attention.
That’s why seeing a doctor or other medical specialist is vital for reducing chronic neck pain. Below are the most common forms of treatment you can expect to receive from healthcare practitioners who focus on pain management.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy helps improve your mobility and strength while lessening pain over time. Physiotherapists develop individualized treatment plans that typically include exercises and stretches that help the muscles and joints regain strength and return the body to its normal function.
Physical therapists often teach their patients techniques for managing their pain and preventing future incidents. These strategies empower patients to care for themselves and give them the knowledge they need to take charge of their health.
Chiropractic Care
Chiropractors perform spinal adjustments to correct alignment issues and alleviate pressure on the nerves. Their treatments can help reduce pain, improve mobility, and enhance a patient’s overall health.
While chiropractic care is generally considered safe, it’s not always suitable for everyone. Always consult with your primary care physician or other trusted healthcare professional before starting any new chiropractic treatment.
Pain Management Clinics
Pain management clinics offer a multidisciplinary approach to treating chronic pain. These medical facilities often take a more holistic approach to overcoming pain, typically providing a range of approaches that may include a combination of medication, physical therapy, and therapeutic interventions like nerve blocks or steroid injections.
Alternative Treatments
Beyond traditional medicine, alternative treatments like dry needling, massage therapy, and specific stretching can also provide some level of neck pain relief. Dry needling involves inserting thin needles at specific points on the body to stimulate healing. Massage therapy can help relax tense muscles, while stretching promotes flexibility and strength.
Remember, every patient is unique and responds to various treatments differently. What works great for one individual may not do anything for another. Always consult your doctor first and be prepared for highly personalized outcomes.
HPM Provides Neck Pain Relief Near You
For chronic pain patients in rural communities, HPM offers effective neck pain treatments at any of our pain management clinics located in small towns across the country. We provide a comprehensive approach to neck pain treatment that uses minimally invasive yet very effective procedures such as radiofrequency ablations, trigger point injections, and nerve blocks that target the source of a patient’s pain.
HPM specialists are trained to listen carefully to patients to determine the precise cause of each patient’s pain. They use the latest methods and equipment to help chronic pain sufferers find as much relief as possible.
Visit our website today to find an HPM location near you.
