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

By Harold Stevens


Neck pain has numerous causes. Most of them can be attributed directly or indirectly to the connective tissues found in the region including muscles, ligaments tendons and bony elements. This symptom may be acute or chronic. The acute type is mainly the result of infections while the chronic type is mainly attributable to degenerative conditions affecting the cervical spine. There are a number of important facts relating to neck pain Conroe residents will find useful.

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.

Heat therapy by use of warm compressors is another effective therapy you can consider. Heat works by increasing blood flow within the tissues and stimulating healing. Over the counter medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as naproxen, diclofenac and ibuprofen help to reduce inflammation and to relieve the discomfort. Massage therapy, also quite effective in pain control, can be done at home or by a professional.

If the home therapies fail to work, you need to make an effort to see a doctor. The doctor will embark on making a diagnosis by obtaining a clinical history and subjecting you to a physical examination. The history will focus on determining the exact site, the intensity and duration of symptoms. The examination incorporates the evaluation of the neck structures as well as the nervous system.

In some cases, the condition is associated with several other symptoms such as double vision, headache, shoulder ache, arm numbness, and so on. This association usually suggests the involvement of cranial nerves and the meninges and calls for urgent evaluation by a doctor. If there is accompanying low back pain, ankylosing spondylitis is a possibility.

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.

Risk factors include taking part in contact sports such as football, rugby and martial arts, road traffic accidents, horse riding and so on. Prevention measures are depend on the specific situation. If one is engaged in an activity that requires them to move their necks frequently, then they need to have regular neck strengthening exercises. Neck bracing is also helpful in some cases.

Neck pain has many causes that range from trauma to infections to degenerative conditions. Symptoms vary in patterns and severity. While most cases can be managed easily at home, others are more serious and require evaluation by a specialist. Many cases can be prevented by taking precautionary measures particularly for those that are involved in contact sports.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment