The cervical spine, which is more commonly referred to as the neck, is a complex network of bones, tendons, muscles, and nerves. It contains the first seven bones of the spine. These stacked bones are called vertebrae and are listed as C1 through C7. The first vertebra sits at the base of the skull and helps hold the head in an upright position.
With so many sensitive components it should come as no surprise that neck pain is a frequent complaint throughout the world. Any one of the seven vertebrae in the neck could suffer damage during normal daily activities. You might also suffer from irritation to the nerves in the neck, which can cause pain that lasts for days or weeks.
At Carolina Spine & Pain, we offer highly effective neck pain treatment in Spartanburg, SC. We help patients identify the cause of their neck pain and then seek a solution to the underlying problem. We also help manage the pain on an ongoing basis so that you can return to a normal life with minimal hindrance.
Pain management is rarely a quick or easy process, but our trained experts are the best in the business. We are confident we can help provide relief for your discomfort. If you’re suffering from severe neck pain, then call our Spartanburg pain doctors today at 864-535-0144 to schedule an appointment.
What Is Neck Pain?
Neck pain is pain or discomfort in the upper region of the spine beneath the skull. Pain in this region can come from a variety of different medical conditions. It is also a common byproduct of a serious injury, such as those caused by automobile accidents. Pain can last for only a few days or it can become an ongoing struggle that lasts for years. Seeking professional pain treatment is always advisable if the pain is severe or interferes with your daily life.
What Are Some of the Common Symptoms of Neck Pain?
Our Spartanburg doctors hear about the following symptoms when treating patients with neck pain.
Pain
The primary symptom is the pain itself. In many patients, the pain will increase if the person holds their head in a certain position for a prolonged period. Patients who work behind a desk or drive for extended periods often find the pain to be more severe.
The pain may be isolated to a single location or it may spread across a larger region. It’s not uncommon for neck pain to cause pain in the shoulders and further down the spine. The pain is placed in one of three categories depending on its duration.
Acute pain is categorized as neck pain that has lasted for less than 4 weeks. Pain that lasts between 4 and 12 weeks is categorized as subacute pain. Finally, there is chronic neck pain, which persists for more than 3 months. Even acute pain can be problematic if it is severe.
Limited Mobility
Severe neck pain often leads to a general decrease in mobility in the neck and head. A patient may have a difficult time turning their head or looking up and down. This may be due to stiffness in the neck or it may be caused by the sensation of pain that occurs when trying to move.
Neurological Problems in the Arm
Neck pain can lead to noticeable symptoms in other areas of the body. The shoulders and arms are commonly affected by serious neck pain.
A patient can experience a variety of neurological problems, such as reduced reflexes or strength. These symptoms are an indicator that the pain is caused by a compression of nerves in the cervical spine. This can also lead to numbness in the hands and difficulty gripping objects.
Headaches
The head is another area that is commonly affected by neck pain. Several different types of headaches can occur when the nearby nerves are damaged. The resulting headaches may feel just as severe or worse than the neck pain itself. Luckily, these headaches tend to go away when the cause of the neck pain is addressed.
What Are Some of the Common Causes of Neck Pain?
Identifying the underlying cause of neck pain is an important step toward treating the pain. Knowing how the injury occurred will help our experts identify what area of the neck is distressed. Some injuries may strain or damage the muscles while others damage the nerves. These different forms of pain benefit from different forms of treatment.
Muscle Strain
A muscle strain is by far the most common cause of neck pain. This occurs when one of the muscles in the neck is pulled too far and a tear occurs. There are several different ways that a person could strain a neck muscle. Poor posture is one of the leading causes. Similarly, a lack of proper support when sitting or laying down for a prolonged period. If you sleep without a pillow, then you might strain your muscle in your sleep.
Muscle strains in the neck are also a common workplace injury. Repetitive motions or poor posture while sitting at a desk could cause strain. Failing to properly lift a heavy item might also cause a muscle tear, though these are more common in the lower back.
A muscle strain may feel severe, but they tend to heal within a few weeks’ time. Receiving proper treatment during that time will help reduce the overall pain and ensure a speedy recovery process.
Aging
Unfortunately, the simple act of growing older can lead to chronic neck pain. There are various health conditions associated with the elderly that may cause neck pain. These are often degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis. A lifetime of repetitive motions at the same job can wear down on sensitive cartilage or cause degeneration in the cervical spine.
Auto Accidents
Injuries from auto accidents are another common cause of neck pain. The impact itself can cause severe damage to the vertebrae, muscles, or nerves in the neck. There is also a condition called whiplash that occurs when the neck is suddenly forced in the opposite direction. This commonly occurs when a fast-moving vehicle crashes. Whiplash can cause severe neck pain that lasts for several days.
What Are Some of the Treatments Available at Carolina Spine & Pine for Neck Pain?
We will consider your symptoms and the underlying cause when determining the best neck pain treatment in Spartanburg, SC. Treatment options include:
Medication Management
Medication is a powerful tool for managing pain. Our doctors may recommend specific over-the-counter medications or provide a prescription for a more powerful pain killer depending on the severity of the condition. The type of medication that will work best depends on the type of pain you are experiencing and the underlying cause.
Radiofrequency Ablation
Radiofrequency ablation works by heating nerve tissue with a small current. The treated nerve tissue will stop sending signals for some time, which can greatly reduce pain in the neck, shoulders, and lower back. The procedure is very simple and you will most likely be able to return home on the same day. Relief from radiofrequency ablation can last anywhere between 6 months and several years.
Nerve Blocks
This treatment is commonly used when nerve damage can be identified as the cause of the pain. It can treat acute neck pain from nerve trauma as well as chronic pain with specific conditions like carpal tunnel. In some cases, a nerve block can even be used to manage pain caused by soft tissue damage.
The process works by deactivating the pain signals of the nerve before they can reach other parts of the body. The nerve blocks will treat pain in a very specific region of the body. Thus, it’s important to identify the exact area where the pain is the most severe.
Spinal Cord Stimulator
A spinal cord stimulator is an alternative treatment option for patients who suffer from chronic pain. It works best when treating neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain is often the result of trauma to the spinal cord or the connecting nerves. It is identifiable by the pricking and stabbing sensation patients feel in the affected area.
The SCS treatment requires implanting a small stimulator at the base of the spine. You will then be given an external control that can be used to send small electrical signals along the spine via the implant.
Injections
There are several different types of injections that are beneficial for neck pain. These include corticosteroid injections, facet joint injections, and epidural injections. Our doctors will work closely with you to identify the cause and determine if any of these injections would provide relief.
Orthopedic Surgery
We want to avoid serious surgical operations if possible, but there are some cases where surgery will provide the best possible relief. For example, a nerve root may be compressed by a disk or a damaged bone. Orthopedic surgery is also used when spinal cord decompression is required.
Kyphoplasty
Kyphoplasty is a type of mild surgical procedure that is minimally invasive. Our doctors use fluoroscopy to guide their needles and find the damaged vertebrae. A small balloon is inserted and used to expand the area between compressed vertebrae. The doctor then fills the area with bone cement to keep the decompression active.
Chiropractic Adjustments
Not all neck injuries require injections or surgeries. Sometimes, a simple chiropractic adjustment is all that’s needed. Certain chiropractic techniques like cervical mobilization can greatly improve mobility in the neck. When combined with medication, the pain can dissipate in a matter of hours.
Schedule Your Neck Pain Treatment in Spartanburg, SC!
Millions of people live with neck pain without ever seeking medical attention. This can cause a minor problem to become a source of chronic pain that lasts for years. You do not have to wait for the pain to become debilitating before seeking medical attention. We offer a variety of pain treatment options for acute, subacute, and chronic neck pain. Don’t force yourself to live with neck pain.
Call Carolina Spine & Pain today at 864-535-0144 to schedule your neck pain treatment in Spartanburg, SC.
