Neck Pain is uncomfortable!
Experiencing neck pain can be very uncomfortable. But, when you think about it, your neck has a significant and demanding job. In fact, your head is the weight of a bowling ball, and your neck is in charge of keeping it upright all day long along.
If you are experiencing pain, you can know that you aren’t alone; around 15% of U.S. adults have neck pain that lasts at least one full day. And 30% of patients who have pain will develop chronic neck pain.
But what exactly causes people to experience neck pain? And how can you find relief? We’re offering some of the best remedies for you to treat and prevent neck pain both in and out of the office.
Why Do You Get Neck Pain?
Many people come into the office complaining of neck pain and aren’t sure exactly where it is coming from. We understand this can be frustrating. Here are a few of the common reasons:
#1 Sleeping Wrong
At the top of our list, you’ll find the most common cause of neck pain – sleeping wrong. So, ask yourself: Do you toss and turn all night? Do you sleep on your stomach? Then, take a deeper look into your sleeping habits; you might be sleeping wrong, causing tension and stress in the neck.
We know what you might be thinking, “if only it were as easy as shutting my eyes.” But, with a little bit of adjustment to your position and sleep schedule, your body and mind will get a good night’s sleep which will help your neck better function and with less pain.
#2 Sports Injuries
Sports injuries are another big reason we tend to see patients for neck pain. They tend to be expected in contact sports like football, basketball, or soccer, but they can happen in non-contact sports. If your neck is pushed forcefully to the side enough, it can cause tears in the ligaments in your neck or even more severe injuries.
#3 Poor Posture
When was the last time you sat up straight? If you’re experiencing neck pain, you might be guilty (like many of us) of poor posture. A slumped over back and jutting forward head day puts unnecessary stress on the neck and back, causing pain and inflammation. Too much pressure all too often can cause chronic pain over time.
In fact, for every inch that the head is held forward in poor posture, an additional 10 pounds of weight is felt on the cervical spine. 1 So, if the average head weighs between 10 and 12 pounds, just 1 or 2 inches of forwarding head posture can double or triple the load on the cervical spine.
At-Home Remedies for Neck Pain
You can do many things at home to try to alleviate your neck pain, especially if your pain is at a lower level.
#1 Be aware of your posture.
For example, if you’re working on a computer or phone most of your day, pay close attention to the position of your neck. Keep your device at eye level and sit up straight. If you’re scrolling on social media, avoid having your neck bent forward.
#2 Ice at bedtime
At nighttime, apply ice to your neck to find a bit of relief. Many of our patients find this does wonders!
#3 Stretch
Some patients find relief in stretching exercises, but good news! You don’t have to be a Yogi to find pain relief. There are many easy and quick videos on Youtube. In addition, stretching exercises help expand and preserve the range of motion in the neck while improving posture.
Infusion Therapy Treatment for Neck Pain
There are times when at-home remedies like exercise and correcting posture and sleep don’t fix your pain. But there is still hope for treating your chronic neck pain.
One of the best options for treating neck pain is Infusion therapy treatments. If you find yourself not finding relief from at-home remedies, you should consider trying one of the options of infusion therapy treatments. They can provide substantial pain relief so you no longer have to suffer and can go back to living your best life.
Frequency
The infusions are usually only 45 minutes to 4 hours. And the frequency depends on your needs and your pain level, but you will most likely need several infusions.
There are a variety of infusion therapy options available, depending on your needs. We’ll discuss which option will work best for you. A combination of these medications are usually prescribed:
- Lidocaine – A medication that alters the nerves responsible for pain
- Ketamine – This medication desensitizes the pain processing system
- Dexmedetomidine – Weakens the effects of an overstimulated nervous system and provides analgesia and muscle relaxation
- Toradol – Reduces pain and overall inflammation
- Robaxin/Norflex – Reduce muscle spasms in the body
- Pamidronate – Can reduce bone pain for those who suffer from Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome
Schedule Your Infusion Treatment Today
Rather than searching for countless different at-home treatments that you could possibly try, only still to be suffering from neck pain, consider infusion therapy treatment. Your pain could be dramatically reduced, allowing you to live a pain-free life.
The pain management doctors at Progressive Pain & Interventional Psychiatry are here to help you find a treatment plan that works best for your particular type of chronic pain. So, if you are ready to start on a path to a more pain-free lifestyle, give us a call today (214) 826-8000, and we can get you started.