What are the options for the treatment of chronic neck pain? There are a few options: Epidural steroid injections, physical therapy, and radiation therapy. Learn about the benefits of each of these methods and decide what is right for you. Injections in the neck usually include a local anesthetic and steroid. The anesthetic relieves the pain immediately, and the steroid reduces inflammation.
Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy for chronic neck pain treatment is a non-surgical treatment option that helps treat chronic neck pain. Patients will lie on a treatment table and receive treatments with radiation. This treatment is relatively quick and requires little to no preparation. To prepare for the procedure, patients should take a Tylenol or similar pain reliever before the procedure. They should also keep their shoes on during the procedure. The radiation therapist will position the patient correctly and ensure they are comfortable during the treatment.
If you have any tattoos or other tattoos on your body before radiation treatment, it will be difficult to remove them during the treatment. Your therapist may recommend using mineral oil or other products to help remove the markings. During treatment, you should avoid the use of alcohol or creams that contain fragrances or lanolin. Your therapist may also suggest applying a moisturizer to the treatment area to minimize skin reactions.
Epidural steroid injections
Epidural steroid injections for cervical spine pain are a treatment that relieves the pain from the spine. These injections are usually administered under X-ray guidance. They start to work within two to seven days and can make daily activities easier. Some patients may need more than one injection.
Epidural steroid injections may have side effects, such as mild soreness at the injection site. However, these are usually only temporary and do not persist. In addition, steroid side effects may include increased energy levels, altered sleep patterns, and changes in blood sugar and blood pressure. Though these side effects are relatively common, they should not be a deterrent to opting for this treatment. Epidural steroid injections are performed by physiatrists or radiologists based on the patient’s medical history.
Physical therapy
A physical examination and medical history can help determine the cause of neck pain. Your doctor will look for tenderness, numbness, and muscle weakness. In addition, they will test for neck motion and neck flexibility. An imaging scan may also be used to pinpoint areas of pain. In some cases, inflammation, scarring, and arthritis may also play a role in your neck pain.
Physical therapy can also help relieve pain by improving neck flexibility and strength. This can help prevent the recurrence of neck pain. Physical therapists can also assist your body’s healing process by improving blood flow to the affected area. In addition, the therapist may recommend neck traction to help relieve pressure on the spinal nerves and discs.
Surgery
There are a variety of surgical procedures that may be used for chronic neck pain treatment. The most common procedure involves the removal of a damaged cervical disc. Other procedures include posterior cervical decompression and microdiscectomy. These procedures remove a small portion of the spinal disc and may involve minimal manipulation of the spinal cord. Patients should discuss specific cases with their surgeons to determine which procedure is right for them.
