Treatment for Neck Pain in The Woodlands and Houston

When should I talk to a doctor about neck pain?

While mild neck pain can go away on its own, you should make an appointment at Houston Spine & Rehabilitation Centers if you have neck pain that persists for more than a couple of days. Additionally, if you have neck pain that is so severe that you can’t turn or nod your head or your quality of life is impacted, contact the team for help. Often, starting treatment early reduces your pain and the overall disruption to your life.

What causes neck pain?

Your posture is one of the primary causes of neck pain. For example, if you spend hours every day scrolling through your phone or sitting at a desk where you have to look slightly up or down to see your screen, these minor head tilts can pull on the muscles, connective tissue, and bones in your cervical spine.

Other common causes of neck pain include:

• Arthritis
• Degenerated or crumbling discs
• Nerve damage, fibromyalgia
• Bone infection
• Cervical spinal stenosis
• Tumors or cysts
• Benign tumors or cysts
• Improper bone structure of neck vertebrae
• Whiplash
• Unsatisfactory sleep positions
• Low amounts of sodium, calcium, or magnesium
• Sports injuries
• Terrible work habits (hunching, etc.)

It’s critical for the team at Houston Spine & Rehabilitation Centers to diagnose the cause of your neck pain. A correct diagnosis allows them to tailor your treatment plan to heal your neck for long-term pain relief.

What are the symptoms of neck pain?

Neck pain can come on slow or can arise quickly from injury. You might start to feel a dull, consistent pain in your neck. If you begin to favor the aching side by moving slowly or tilting in a certain direction, you might be experiencing neck pain. Mild to intense headaches can possibly arise and problems with vision have been reported. Some symptoms associated with neck pain include:

• Throbbing and pulsing pain spasms
• A sensation of weight rolling within the skull
• Piercing pain strikes behind the eye sockets
• Stiffness and inability to turn one’s head
• Radiating pain down the back

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, don’t wait too long to seek help. Here at Houston Spine & Rehabilitation Center, we are dedicated to providing you with maximum comfort and alleviation from pain, and we can do it at the first sign of trouble.

How is neck pain treated?

The team at Houston Spine & Rehabilitation Centers creates personalized treatment programs to relieve your pain and address the underlying cause. Depending on your condition, your provider might include:

• Chiropractic care
• Physical therapy
• Spinal decompression
• Injections
• Laser therapy
• Regenerative medicine
• Truflex® joint supplements
• nutraMetrix® supplements

Your provider might also teach you stretches to practice at home or while you’re at work.

Can I reduce my risk of neck pain?

You can take steps to reduce your risk of neck pain. For example, if you work at a desk, make sure your work station is set up correctly to help you maintain the correct posture throughout the day. You can also practice exercises to strengthen your core and back, which will naturally improve your posture.

You should also avoid staying in the same position for too long. Additionally, sleeping your head propped up on too many pillows can cause neck strain and reduce your range of motion.

What to do if I have neck pain?

Do the best you can to decrease any inflammation. This can be done with over-the-counter medication, or your neck pain could be treated using combinations of decompression and WaveTherapy™. Feel free to give us a call and ask about laser therapy to increase cellular regeneration of ossified (bony) structures such as vertebrae in the neck for the treatment for neck pain.

We’re here to help you live a pain-free life. Call Houston Spine & Rehabilitation Centers today or make an appointment online.