Neck pain may be described as either being acute or chronic. It is described as being acute if it has been experienced for two weeks or less. It is termed as being chronic if its duration is more than two weeks. The causes for both acute and chronic neck pain are largely the same; they are related to problems affecting the anatomical structures found in the cervical region including ligaments, muscles and the cervical vertebra among others.
When you visit the doctor in Blue Bell, PA, they will take your history, conduct a physical examination and request for some investigations as guided by the nature of the condition. The history typically focuses on establishing the duration of symptoms, patterns and whether or not other parts of the body are involved. Radiological images are an important component of investigation. Those that are used commonly include X rays, CT scans and the MRI.
Cervical disc herniation is one of the leading causes of prolonged cervical pain. It refers to the displacement of inter-vertebral discs in the cervical region. Under normal circumstances, these discs are involved in shock absorption during movements between adjacent vertebral bodies. In case of trauma to the spine, one or several of them may become displaced and impinge on nerve fibers. This may happen in any part of the spine but is commonest in the cervical and lumbar regions.
The management for cervical disc herniation can be either conservative or surgical. The main non-surgical option is traction that is offered over several sessions until the symptoms resolve. Typically, about 20 sessions administered over four to six weeks are needed. Analgesic agents such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, NSAIDs also have a role. Surgery is used for cases that are unresponsive to the non-conservative treatments.
A condition that is similar to disc herniation is disc degeneration. Degeneration occurs in most people as they advance in age but only exhibits symptoms in a few. The treatments that are used here are similar to those that are used for herniation. Conservative therapies include the use of analgesic agents (both over the counter and prescription), heat and cold compression and neck exercises. Surgical operation is only for the very severe cases that are unresponsive to medical management.
If you are experiencing pain that is also referred to one or both arms, there is a high likelihood that you could be suffering from spinal canal narrowing (cervical spine stenosis). This problem is easily identified on an X-ray image. In most cases, it is asymptomatic and when symptoms are present they characteristically begin gradually and become more severe over time. Associated symptoms include loss of coordination, numbness and a tingling sensation in the hands.
There are several alternative medicine therapies that are used to treat this condition. The success rates are widely variable. Acupuncture, a technique that makes use of numerous fine needles, is among the most widely practiced. Others include massage therapy and chiropractic manipulation of bony structures in the cervical region.
Neck pain is a common complaint affecting men and women in almost equal measure. It is important that one seeks medical attention if there are associated symptoms such as visual impairment, persistent headache and loss of consciousness. These symptoms are highly suggestive of a serious condition affecting the brain and cranial nerves.
When you visit the doctor in Blue Bell, PA, they will take your history, conduct a physical examination and request for some investigations as guided by the nature of the condition. The history typically focuses on establishing the duration of symptoms, patterns and whether or not other parts of the body are involved. Radiological images are an important component of investigation. Those that are used commonly include X rays, CT scans and the MRI.
Cervical disc herniation is one of the leading causes of prolonged cervical pain. It refers to the displacement of inter-vertebral discs in the cervical region. Under normal circumstances, these discs are involved in shock absorption during movements between adjacent vertebral bodies. In case of trauma to the spine, one or several of them may become displaced and impinge on nerve fibers. This may happen in any part of the spine but is commonest in the cervical and lumbar regions.
The management for cervical disc herniation can be either conservative or surgical. The main non-surgical option is traction that is offered over several sessions until the symptoms resolve. Typically, about 20 sessions administered over four to six weeks are needed. Analgesic agents such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, NSAIDs also have a role. Surgery is used for cases that are unresponsive to the non-conservative treatments.
A condition that is similar to disc herniation is disc degeneration. Degeneration occurs in most people as they advance in age but only exhibits symptoms in a few. The treatments that are used here are similar to those that are used for herniation. Conservative therapies include the use of analgesic agents (both over the counter and prescription), heat and cold compression and neck exercises. Surgical operation is only for the very severe cases that are unresponsive to medical management.
If you are experiencing pain that is also referred to one or both arms, there is a high likelihood that you could be suffering from spinal canal narrowing (cervical spine stenosis). This problem is easily identified on an X-ray image. In most cases, it is asymptomatic and when symptoms are present they characteristically begin gradually and become more severe over time. Associated symptoms include loss of coordination, numbness and a tingling sensation in the hands.
There are several alternative medicine therapies that are used to treat this condition. The success rates are widely variable. Acupuncture, a technique that makes use of numerous fine needles, is among the most widely practiced. Others include massage therapy and chiropractic manipulation of bony structures in the cervical region.
Neck pain is a common complaint affecting men and women in almost equal measure. It is important that one seeks medical attention if there are associated symptoms such as visual impairment, persistent headache and loss of consciousness. These symptoms are highly suggestive of a serious condition affecting the brain and cranial nerves.
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