Neck Pain

Neck pain is a prevalent condition that can arise from various factors, affecting individuals of different ages and backgrounds. Common sources of neck pain include muscle sprain, ligament strain, facet joint pain and nerve entrapment. 

Symptoms related to neck pain are:

• Muscle tightness and spasm
• Restricted Range of motion
• Localizes sharp pain
• Radicular pain - This refers to pain that radiates along a nerve pathway from the neck into the shoulder, arm and hand. This pain is often described as an aching, burning or shooting pain. 
• Neurological Deficit - Problems with reflexes, sensation, or strength in the upper limbs
• Headache that is exacerbated by neck movement.
  
  

During your consultation, the initial goals of the treatment are:

• Identifying the potential causes of neck pain through clinical evaluation and imaging
• Ensuring that there are no serious causes for the neck pain
  (Eg. Cancer, Fractures and Severe compression of the spinal cord)
• Painkillers
• Targeted Exercises / Physical Therapy
• Correction of underlying causes

In some cases where the neck pain does not resolve adequately with such measures (typically after 6 weeks), more invasive options may be considered. Some of these measures include:

• Trigger Point Injection
  Injection of medication directly into specific trigger points to provide relief from muscle knots and tension.
• Epidural Steroid Injections / Nerve Root blocks
  Administering anti-Inflammatory medications around the nerves can help to alleviate pain by reducing inflammation around the nerves
• Facet Joint Blocks / Denervation
  This therapy addresses pain that is arising from the facet joints, which is a common cause of pain in patients with Whiplash injury and age-related spinal degeneration.
• Surgery
  In some cases of neck pain, surgery may be indicated. This is usually required when there is severe compression of the nerves or if the pain is inadequately managed despite medications, exercises and minimally-invasive pain procedures.