There are many reasons as to why a person may experience neck pain. Common causes include exercise injuries and car accidents, but it can also be due to poor posture or simply by sleeping in the wrong position. Regardless of the cause, however, it is important to be aware of the different types of neck pain treatment because it can significantly reduce someone’s quality of life to live in constant pain. Thankfully, many options are available. Choosing between them is usually down to finding out the cause of the pain first.
Choosing from the Different Types of Neck Pain Treatment:
First, the cause of the pain has to be determined. Without understanding the source, appropriate treatment cannot be found either. For instance, if the pain is caused by poor posture during work, doing some stretching exercises and having a more ergonomic sitting arrangement may be all that is needed. If there is a more serious underlying issue, such as some sort of nerve damage, then a physician will have to be aware of this so that a different and more appropriate treatment can be provided.
Importance of Exercise:
That being said, out of all the different types of neck pain treatment, exercise is almost always recommended. This includes flexibility exercises that ensure the muscles found in the cervical joints’ sides are no longer as tight or strained. When those muscles are not at top performance, people have a reduced range of motion, which leads to pain and stiffness. By performing flexibility exercises, the muscles learn to expand, thereby increasing elasticity and overall range of motion. If it isn’t possible to increase range of motion, then these exercises will at least protect the existing range that someone has. Flexibility exercises should be done every day, sometimes several times.
Mechanical Traction:
Mechanical traction is another common option. Here, a table is used to ensure that patients have proper alignment. Usually, they will lie down facing the ceiling or facing the ground. A professional then uses rollers to relax the affected area and sooth the patient. Then, a traction device is positioned on the body so that the neck and back are properly aligned according to the correct curvature of the spine. In the case of neck pain, traction devices focus specifically on the cervical curve, thereby reducing tension and improving blood flow. This ensures that the body can relax and work on repairing itself.
Other Methods of Neck Pain Treatment:
If neither of those methods work in reducing the level of neck pain, other techniques may be recommended. One is a cervical epidural injection, which may be offered in cases of nerve damage. Usually, this is only done if the nerve damage also affects the arms. Face joint injections may also be offered, which is most suitable for people who have had other mechanical issues that have been resolved.
Whether the pain in the neck is slight or severe, it always reduces quality of life. This is why it is so important to be aware of the different types of neck pain treatment. Nobody should have to live their life in pain.
