Treatment Modalities For Neck Pain Conroe Residents Need To Be Aware Of

By Harold Stevens


Neck pain is major cause of clinic visits. It affects both men and women in almost equal proportions. The pain may be described as being acute or chronic depending on the duration. Most cases are caused by problems affecting connective tissues in the neck including the bones, the ligaments, muscles and tendons. There are several things on neck pain Conroe residents need to know if suffering from this problem.

Neck muscle strains account for a majority of the cases that are seen in most clinics. The good news is that most minor strains involving ligaments and tendons are self-limiting and typically resolve in a day or two. A number of homemade remedies to help alleviate the symptoms exist. For instance, application of cold compressions at the affected area helps reduce associated inflammation and expedites the healing process.

Another type of therapy that is equally as effective is the use of hot compressions. The compressions work by enhancing the flow of blood and nutrients to the injured site which in turn helps with the healing process. To augment the hot and cold compressions, over the counter analgesic agents such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) help to relieve the symptoms even as healing takes place. Massage therapy is another option that can be considered under this category.

When you visit the doctor, a clinical history and physical will help in determining the most likely cause of your problem. Important characteristics used in distinguishing the various causes include the exact location, duration, intensity, relationship to head and neck movements, and whether or not the pain radiates to other parts of the body. Part of the examination will include evaluation of the nervous system due to the large number of nerves that pass through the neck.

In some cases, the pain may be associated with other symptoms such as visual blurriness, headache, arm numbness, and so on. Some of these symptoms suggest involvement of the central nervous system in which case monitoring is required. If there is concurrent low back ache, ankylosing spondylitis should be ruled out.

Radiographic images are a key investigations in diagnosis conditions affecting the cervical region. A plain radiograph (X-Ray) and CT scan are most useful for the evaluation of bony structures. The MRI is the investigation of choice if the problem is believed to originate from the soft tissue structures. In a number of cases the results of these investigations may be normal.

The risk factors for this condition include contact sports such rugby, football and martial arts, motor sport, horse riding and poor body posture among others. Prevention is dependent on the specific situation. The general measures that may be undertaken include strengthening exercises and the use of cervical braces.

Neck pain is caused by many factors that include degenerative disease processes, infections and trauma. There is a variation in the severity of symptoms depending on the cause and the duration. Most cases are managed at home by use home remedies. Others are serious and life threatening and need to be investigated and managed by an expert.




About the Author: