Neck Pain Treatment
Cervical Pain
Your neck is made up of seven vertebrae. They extend from the skull to the top of the torso. In between each vertebrae is a disc. These help to absorb shock. The cervical region also contains ligaments and muscles. These allow support and motion of the head. If any of these have a slight abnormality or inflammation, they can cause neck pain. Many people can experience neck pain or stiffness occasionally. In most cases it is due to poor posture or overuse. In some cases it can be due to injury. Most of the time neck pain can be relieved within a few days. If neck pain continues for more than a week, it is important to seek treatment.
Neck Pain Treatment
Diagnosis
In order to determine the exact cause of neck pain, your doctor may need to order imaging tests. X-rays may need to be ordered. X-rays will help reveal which areas in the neck the nerve may be pinched. This can be due to bone spurs or degenerative changes. A CT scan may be ordered as well. This will help get a detailed view of your entire neck. An MRI may also be requested. An MRI uses magnetic fields to get a detailed image of the bones, soft tissues and spinal cord. Imaging tests are best used with a careful patient history and physical exam. This allows for a more accurate diagnosis.
Therapy
Therapy is a good neck pain treatment. It can help alleviate pressure off of the spine. There are many different types of therapy. Physical Therapy is the most common. A Physical Therapist can teach proper posture. Physical Therapy can also help strengthen the neck through exercises and stretches.
Another type of therapy is transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). Electrodes are placed on the painful area. This delivers electrical impulses that help relieve pain. Traction is also another useful neck pain treatment. Traction uses weights and pulleys to gently stretch the neck. This can help alleviate neck pain when done under the supervision of a medical professional.
Lifestyle and Home Remedies
There are some self-care measures that can help alleviate neck pain. Taking over the counter medication like Advil or Ibuprofen can help. Although, this is just a temporary relief. Another good tip is to alternate ice and heat. Applying ice to the area causing the most pain can help reduce inflammation. Doing this for 20 minutes a time can help relieve pain. You can add heat into the equation by taking a hot shower. You could also use a heating pad on the lowest setting. Adding stretches into your routine is another good neck pain treatment. It is best to talk to your doctor, to see which stretches would benefit you the most.
Alternative Medicine
Chiropractic Care and massage are both beneficial neck pain treatments. A chiropractor can perform an adjustment to alleviate pressure off of the nerves. This occurs by an abrupt force to a joint. Chiropractic care has minimal risks. Chiropractic also helps alleviate pain without the use of pain medications or surgery. Massage is also useful when treating neck pain. Massage helps manipulate the muscles in the neck. This helps relax the muscles and alleviates pain.
Schedule a Visit
At the ProAdjuster Chiropractic Clinic we offer Physical Therapy and massage as well as Chiropractic Care. In most cases it is beneficial to combine multiple therapies to treat neck pain. If you suffer from chronic neck pain, and no longer want to live in pain, then schedule a visit today! Give us a call at (757) 473-9900 (option 1) to get your consultation scheduled. CHECK US OUT: https://www.tripadvisor.com/
Neck Pain Treatment
