When should I seek treatment for neck pain?
Neck pain or stiffness is a common recurrent symptom for many people and often goes away easily without professional treatment. While it’s usually nothing to worry about, some cases of neck pain indicate a more severe underlying condition that likely needs swift treatment.
You should seek treatment for your neck pain at Regenerative Orthopaedics and Spine Institute if your neck pain lasts for a week or more or if it comes with other symptoms, including:
- Fever
- Headache
- Lumps in your neck
- Nausea and vomiting
- Trouble breathing
- Radiating pain into your limbs
You should seek immediate care if you injured yourself in a fall or car accident and are living with severe neck pain as a result.
What are some common causes of neck pain?
The causes of neck pain and stiffness are usually mild, like awkward sleeping positions or jerking your neck abruptly, but some serious conditions can cause neck pain, too. They include:
- Poor posture
- Whiplash
- Heart attack
- Meningitis
- Arthritis
- Cervical herniated or bulging disc
- Spinal stenosis
If you can’t immediately identify the cause of your neck pain, but it keeps happening despite home care, you may visit Regenerative Orthopaedics and Spine Institute for reassurance and peace of mind. Your provider can rule out serious conditions and give you tips for pain management.
How can I manage neck pain?
There are many things you can do to ease your neck pain with or without professional expertise. Many lifestyle changes can reduce your instances of neck pain and chances of getting it again. To manage your neck pain, your provider may recommend that you:
- Apply an ice pack
- Apply heat
- Use a neck collar
- Take pain medications
- Quit smoking
- Take breaks during work
- Go to physical therapy
- Watch and improve your posture
If your neck pain is caused by an underlying condition, treating the condition itself will alleviate neck pain or stiffness. Your physician can give you additional lifestyle tips more specific to your case when you visit Regenerative Orthopaedics and Spine Institute.
If more conservative measures don’t prove successful, your provider may help you explore surgical interventions for neck pain or recommend regenerative medicine treatments.
If your neck pain is severe or persists, don’t hesitate to request an appointment by calling Regenerative Orthopaedics and Spine Institute or booking online today.
