Neck pain is a common complaint among patients and has various causes. From simple poor posture and overuse to serious underlying medical conditions, neck pain can range in severity. In many cases, pain from minor injuries or ailments subsides on its own with rest and at-home care. However, chronic pain or serious injuries require medical attention. At Advanced Sports & Spine, we provide treatment for neck pain in Charlotte to help relieve your discomfort.
Advanced Sports & Spine
How it Works?
Regenerative Medicine for Neck Pain
Our multidisciplinary approach to pain management includes offering regenerative medicine in Charlotte. Regenerative medicine involves revolutionary procedures such as PRP therapy and stem cell therapy. As an alternative to invasive surgeries, regenerative treatments allow and encourage the body to heal naturally. Regenerative interventions help regrow, replace, or repair damaged tissues, thus reducing neck pain and improving mobility and quality of life. Stem cell therapy is used for more advanced procedures, while PRP therapy is used for less severe joint issues.
Regenerative Medicine - PRP Therapy for the Neck
Platelet Rich Plasma, or PRP, has multiple medical uses which harness the body’s own healing properties. At Advanced Sports & Spine, PRP therapy is used to treat sports and musculoskeletal injuries, including neck pain and conditions. With this treatment, the patient’s own blood is drawn and spun in a centrifuge. The platelet-rich plasma is then re-injected into the treatment site to promote faster healing.
Stem Cell Therapy for Neck Pain
For more advanced neck pain or injuries, stem cell therapy may be recommended. With this revolutionary procedure, we can target the underlying source of your pain rather than relying on medication or surgery. Stem cell therapy may provide patients with an option to avoid risky, invasive surgery.
Stem cell therapy is a cutting-edge procedure for neck pain. It offers patients the following benefits:
- Treatment is minimally invasive as opposed to a highly invasive surgery.
- Less downtime is needed. The recovery period may be days as opposed to months.
- The treatment promotes faster, natural healing leading to improved function and mobility.
- Neck pain is reduced as swelling subsides and the damaged tissues are repaired.
Who’s a candidate?
Have you had neck pain for more than a few weeks? Is your pain severe or does it worsen with movement? If rest and over-the-counter treatments are not relieving your discomfort, medical interventions may be necessary to relieve chronic or severe neck pain.
If you have the following symptoms, contact our office for a medical evaluation of your pain:
Chronic or lingering neck pain
Pain that worsens with movement
Neck injuries
Osteoarthritis
Reduced range of motion
Tingling sensations
RECOMMENDED TREATMENTS FOR NECK PAIN
Interventional Spinal Injections
Injections can be used to diagnose and treat neck pain. Interventional spinal injections are non-surgical, non-opioid pain management options for neck pain. Medication is delivered directly to the injured area and includes an anti-inflammatory solution allowing healing to begin quickly. Treatments are performed in 10-15 minutes in the office with an additional 15 minutes needed for monitoring.
Medial Branch Blocks / Facet Joint Injections
The facet joints run along the spinal column and are susceptible to injury, wear and tear, and disease. A medial branch block or facet joint injection is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure. The procedure itself is about 15 minutes long and involves injecting a local anesthetic and a corticosteroid into the injured area. The result is reduced inflammation and lasting neck pain relief.
Radiofrequency Ablation
Radiofrequency ablation is a non-surgical, minimally invasive procedure for pain relief. This treatment utilizes radio waves to ablate or heat nerve tissue which keeps pain signals from reaching the brain. Patients experience long-lasting pain relief. Radiofrequency nerve ablation can be used to treat chronic neck pain, spinal stenosis, and arthritis pain.
Selective Nerve Block (SNRB) Injection
Irritation of the nerves in the spinal column can lead to neck pain. Problems may include a herniated disc, bone spur, or irritated nerve which cause pain, numbness, and tingling sensations. Selective nerve block injections deliver medication to the nerve root reducing inflammation and pain. Neck pain relief is noticeable within a few days of the treatment.
Cervical Epidural Injections
Epidural injections are used to relieve neck, back, and spine pain and improve mobility without surgery. With cervical epidurals, the injection delivers medication to relieve inflammation and pain around the nerves in the neck. It is not a cure, but rather it is a pain relief solution. This treatment may be used for herniated discs, degenerated discs, osteoarthritis, or spinal stenosis.
Stellate Ganglion Block Injection
A stellate ganglion block injection relieves neck pain by blocking the sympathetic nerves on either side of the voicebox. This treatment relieves pain and inflammation and improves range of motion. Stellate ganglion blocks may be diagnostic or therapeutic.A series of injections may provide long-lasting relief from neck pain.
Trigger Point Injections
Sensitive spots called trigger points can develop in taut bands of muscle and cause pain in the back, shoulder, and neck. A trigger point injection is a commonly used pain management technique to relieve muscle pain. An anesthetic and corticosteroid are injected using a small sterile needle. Patients experience pain relief within a few days of the treatment.
Neurolysis Procedure
Neurolysis disrupts the transmission of nerve signals to the brain. The treatment may involve a chemical or physical agent to target and stop the nerves. Neurolysis for the neck uses radiofrequency heat directed at the area of pain. This may be used for arthritis, whiplash, and tension headaches.
NECK CONDITIONS
Neck pain is a common ailment with various causes. Pain may be caused by poor posture, injury, or an underlying condition. Common neck conditions include:
- Neck pain due to muscle strain or poor posture
- Osteoarthritis and cervical spondylosis
- Pinched nerve
- Disc disease – herniation or bulge
- Whiplash injury
- Fibromyalgia
- Spinal stenosis
NECK EXERCISES
If you experience neck pain, you can begin the following exercises to alleviate your pain. These movements may help strengthen your neck. Avoid exercises that increase your pain. Once your pain is under control, additional strengthening and stretching exercises may be recommended.
- Neck rotation with flexion
- Chin tuck
- Scalene stretch
- Neck rotation stretch
- Scapular squeeze
- Thoracic extension
- Active neck rotation
- Active neck side bend
- Neck flexion
- Neck extension
- Isometric neck flexion
- Isometric neck extension
- Isometric neck side bend
- Head lift: neck curl
- Head lift: neck side bend
- Neck extension while on your hands and knees
- Pectoralis stretch
- Arm slide on wall
- Mid-trap exercise
- Thoracic stretch
- Quadruped arm/leg raise
- Rowing exercise
Frequently Asked Questions about Treatments for Knee Pain
HOW CAN I STOP NECK PAIN?
At our pain management clinic in Charlotte, NC, we offer several different options for treating neck pain. Regenerative medicine, such as PRP therapy and stem cell therapy, along with interventional spinal injections, radiofrequency ablation, and trigger point injections are just a few of the treatments we offer to reduce or eliminate neck pain.
WHAT EXERCISES CAN I DO TO GET RID OF NECK PAIN?
Exercises are a great way to strengthen and support your neck and body. A combination of exercises and treatments may be necessary to fully relieve your neck pain or treat your injury.
It is always a good idea to discuss your exercise plans with your doctor before starting them on your own to avoid further damaging your neck. As always, avoid exercises and movements that increase your pain. Our team can assess the cause of your neck pain and recommend the appropriate exercises and treatment for your needs.
WHEN SHOULD YOU SEEK TREATMENT FOR YOUR NECK PAIN?
Many sources of neck pain will resolve on their own in a short time. However, lingering pain should be evaluated. If you have serious or chronic neck pain that affects your quality of life, contact a health professional. A pain management specialist, like Dr. Ahmad, can evaluate your symptoms to find the root cause of your neck pain.
CAN NECK PAIN GO AWAY ON ITS OWN?
Neck pain may represent various issues from minor to severe with a range of causes from poor posture to traumatic injuries or underlying diseases. Mild discomfort or inflammation may resolve with rest and at-home treatment. More serious injuries or degenerative diseases require medical intervention to treat the condition and relieve your neck pain.
Without knowing the exact cause of your pain, it is hard to say if the pain will resolve on its own. Contact a pain management specialist for medical advice and to evaluate and treat your neck pain, especially if the pain is severe or does not resolve on its own.
HOW DO YOU KNOW IF NECK PAIN IS SERIOUS?
Any neck injury has the potential to be serious and pain can be a warning sign of a larger issue. If your neck pain is severe or does not go away with rest and at-home measures such as over-the-counter pain relief, ice, or heat, it is time to contact a physician. An evaluation is necessary to determine the source and severity of your neck pain.
HOW CAN I KEEP MY NECK HEALTHY?
Our joints wear down with age, wear and tear, and injuries. Protecting and strengthening your joints are a great way to keep them healthy.
To keep your neck healthy, it is crucial to maintain good posture. Avoid slouching or slumping as it is hard on your spine. Exercise regularly, stretch, and strengthen your core which helps support the spine.
HOW LONG DOES NECK PAIN LAST?
The longevity of your neck pain depends on the actual cause. Acute pain from a minor injury may last a few days to a couple of weeks and may resolve with at-home treatment. More serious injuries or conditions may require medical interventions and rehabilitation to relieve your pain. Treatments, exercises, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes may help relieve your pain once the source is determined.
HOW CAN I STOP NECK PAIN?
Finding the right neck pain treatment requires determining the cause of the pain. Schedule an appointment for an evaluation. Once the root of your pain is known, we can devise a custom treatment plan to relieve your neck pain.
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It all starts with an accurate diagnosis from a medical doctor and determining which stem cell or growth factor therapy is best for you.
Disclaimer: The benefits of stem cell therapy have not been reviewed or approved by the FDA.
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