Got Neck Pain? Stiff Neck Pain Relief and Treatment Options

Each year, thousands of Americans suffer from neck pain symptoms. Many conditions and injuries can result in neck pain, which can be either acute or chronic. Some neck pain is not the result of an injury or underlying disease—for example, patients can develop neck pain after sleeping in the wrong position, straining, or even wearing heavy necklaces! In these cases, treatment is usually simple and the symptoms will resolve quickly. However, for patients whose neck pain is caused by underlying syndromes or serious injuries, treatment can be more difficult.

If you’re suffering from back and neck pain or chronic neck tension, the Texas pain specialists at the San Antonio offices of Dr. Raul Martinez have compiled an overview of what you need to know about stiff neck pain relief and treatment options. Read on to learn more.

What Causes Neck Pain?

As mentioned above, there are many injuries and conditions that can result in neck pain (aka cervical pain) symptoms. These causes range from minor to serious, and as a result, many neck pain sufferers will notice that symptoms resolve themselves within a few days.

But if neck pain is severe and lasts several days or weeks, or is accompanied by other symptoms (such as fever), it may be the result of something more serious, such as an infection. Other potential neck pain causes include:

• Sprained or strained neck muscles
• Poor posture
• Herniated disc
• Pinched nerve
• Degenerative disc disease
• Fibromyalgia
• Contact sports injury
• Horse riding injury
• Car crashes resulting in whiplash
• Cancer (in rare cases)
• Autoimmune diseases

When to See a Doctor or Pain Specialist

While it’s true that most cases of neck pain are not signs of a serious underlying problem and will resolve themselves, you should see a doctor if:

• The pain has persisted for more than six weeks
• The pain is severe, not improving, or worsening
• The pain is accompanied by either a fever, a serious headache, vomiting, dizziness, or sudden weight loss

Neck Pain Treatment Methods

If you know what caused your neck pain, it will often be easier to treat. For example, if you’re suffering from neck pain caused by whiplash and are seeking whiplash pain relief, there are several treatment methods that have been proven effective at easing these symptoms. Your doctor may advise you to take NSAID medications for pain and swelling and prescribe physical therapy or injections. You may also try massage, ice, or heat.

If you do not know what caused your neck pain, a qualified physician can help you get to the root cause by noting the location, duration, and intensity of the pain. They will review your medical history and ask questions about past injuries, palpitate your neck,  and will ask whether your pain worsens when your head is turned. If the examination is inconclusive, your doctor may order an X-ray, CT scan, or MRI.

Suffering From Neck Pain Symptoms? Our Texas Pain Specialists Can Help

Whether you know the cause of your chronic neck tension or not, the expert physicians at the San Antonio offices of Dr. Raul Martinez are here to help. We specialize in back and neck pain relief and have successfully helped hundreds of patients overcome their neck pain symptoms. Whether you’re in need of whiplash pain relief, fibromyalgia pain relief, or pain relief after a neck injury, we can help you by customizing a treatment plan based on your unique symptoms.

So if you’re ready to do something about your neck pain symptoms, visit our website to learn more about the various treatment options we offer for neck pain or visit our contact page to schedule an appointment today.