Neck pain is a common issue that can negatively impact a person’s function and quality of life. At Quantum Pain & Sports Medicine in Irving, Texas, double board-certified Interventional Pain Medicine specialist Trung Ha, MD, takes a holistic approach to managing pain, not only easing your discomfort, but also improving your overall health and well-being. To schedule an appointment for professional treatment, contact the office by phone or through our contact page today.
What is neck pain?
Neck pain is a general medical term used to describe various sensations or limitations that affect the muscles, tendons, bones, and other tissues of your neck.
Common symptoms include:
- Muscle aches in your neck or shoulders
- Headaches
- Difficulty moving your head or neck
- Muscle spasms
- Neck stiffness
Pain affecting the neck is rarely indicative of a serious medical issue. However, if your pain persists, worsens, or you are experiencing radiating numbness, burning, or tingling down your arms, back, or legs, then it may be a sign of a more serious health issue that should be evaluated by a professional interventional pain specialist.
What causes neck pain?
In most cases, neck pain occurs due to muscle strain as a result of poor posture. However, it may also be due to an underlying medical issue affecting the structures that make up your neck.
Common causes include:
- Herniated disc
- Degenerative disc disease
- Cervical stenosis
- Facet arthropathy
- Pinched nerve
- Arthritis
- Myofascial trigger points
Another common cause is an injury like whiplash. Whiplash, which often occurs during a rear-end auto accident, causes your head to move forward and backward in a quick motion that may strain the soft tissue in your neck. If you have been involved in an auto accident and have whiplash, the team at Quantum Pain & Sports Medicine will custom tailor a treatment plan to ease your discomfort and promote healing.
What can I expect during a neck pain evaluation?
The team at Quantum Pain & Sports Medicine will conduct a comprehensive examination to evaluate your pain. We not only want to help you get the relief you need, but also improve your overall health.
During your evaluation, the physician will review your symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle. The physician will also conduct a physical exam, which may include functional tests to assess the structures in your neck. To confirm or rule out a suspected cause, we may prescribe additional diagnostic imaging, such as an X-ray or MRI.
What are the treatments for neck pain?
The team at Quantum Pain & Sports Medicine creates individualized treatment plans for the management of your neck pain.
Your treatment plan may include:
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Physical therapy
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) unit
- Interlaminar Epidural Steroid Injection
- Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection
- Facet Joint Injection
- Facet Medial Branch Nerve Block
- Facet Medial Branch Nerve Rhizotomy/Radiofrequency Ablation
- Myofascial Trigger Point Injection
- Regenerative medicine (Platelet Rich Plasma & Stem Cell Therapy)
In addition to providing treatments to alleviate pain, the team also provides lifestyle recommendations to improve the effectiveness of your treatment, such as proper posture, tools to reduce neck strain at work, and stress management techniques.
For a comprehensive plan aimed at alleviating your neck pain and improving your quality of life, call Quantum Pain & Sports Medicine or request an appointment online. We look forward to hearing from you!