The flexibility of the neck enables the head to move as a result of a slight impact on any body part. As a result, it protects the brain from smashing into the rigid inner wall of the skull. Unfortunately, the neck may sometimes get injured due to a car crash or muscle strain causing much pain. Lately, Las Vegas neck pain has affected many people’s welfare and daily activities. If you are looking for neck pain treatment, you can receive various nonsurgical and nonsurgical treatments. The following are some of the 5 common treatment methods for neck pain.
- Medications
Over-the-counter medications are mainly effective for treating neck problems, particularly chronic neck pain. If your healthcare provider diagnoses you with chronic neck pain, he or she can recommend pain relievers, including acetaminophen, aspirin, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) drugs. However, the most effective medications may vary by person; therefore, you should consult your specialist to know the medication that will work best for you.
- Physical Therapy
Several treatments for persistent neck pain comprise some physical therapy to enhance neck flexibility and strength. Physical therapy procedure’s length and structure vary depending on the unique diagnosis and situation. An experienced therapist can conduct several weekly sessions by prescribing the best procedure, to begin with. With time, your specialist can prescribe you to continue practicing other exercises at home.
- Steroid Injections
Epidural steroid injections supply an anesthetic and a steroid in the epidural space near your spinal cord where the nerves are inflamed or irritated. The steroid is responsible for reducing inflammation. Alternatively, the anesthetic is tasked with relieving pain through a temporal blocking of the nerves from sending pain signals to the brain.
Like epidural steroid injections, facet joint injections can also help relieve pain and lower inflammation. As a result, you can move, bend and twist your neck without moving it too far.
- Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)
RFA is a nonsurgical and just painless treatment that blocks your nerves. During the procedure for neck pain, the radiofrequency creates heat which develops a lesion on the nerves. The lesion plays a critical role by blocking the pain from reaching the brain. The procedure is effective because it lasts longer than an anesthetic nerve block and can obstruct the pain for around nine months to one year.
- Posterior Cervical Foraminotomy
Normally, the gap passing the spinal column can become narrowed either through a herniated disc or the occurrence of a bone spur. If this is the case, your surgeon can operate on your back and remove the part of the affected disc or break down the abnormal bone part. Unfortunately, this process puts your spinal cord at some risk, although it eliminates the need to undergo any spinal fusion.
Neck pain can adversely affect your work performance if untreated. If you are a candidate looking for help, contact Patrick S. McNulty of McNulty Spine, located in Las Vegas, Nevada. The doctor is an award-winning and double-licensed orthopedic surgeon and spine expert offering comprehensive diagnoses and treatments for neck pain. Call the center’s office or book online today to schedule an appointment.