Neck Pain and Cervical Pain Treatment in Pune
With excessive use of digital equipment like mobiles and laptops, there is prolonged bending of the neck which gives rise to neck pain. It is very common in people these days. Let us understand neck pain and cervical pain.
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Neck Pain
It is a very common and frequently occurring medical condition that may be caused by bad posture, any injury, or even some underlying health issues. It affects the cervical spine, which is a column of seven vertebrae in the neck region. The pain experienced in the neck can cause mild discomfort or if it turns severe, it may limit movement, or impact day-to-day activities.
Symptoms of Neck Pain:
- Stiffness and reduced mobility in the neck
- Sharp pain in the neck region
- General soreness or achiness
- Pain intensified by a particular movement/s or activity
- Origin of headaches from the neck
Cervical Pain
Cervical pain is pain felt in the region of the cervical spine, that is, the neck region. The main causes of this type of pain are degenerative changes in the spine, herniated discs, and injuries. This often results in stiffness, decreased mobility, and at times radiating pain down the arms.
Symptoms of Cervical Pain:
- Chronic pain in the neck
- Pain radiating to shoulders, arms, or hands
- Numbness or tingling in arms or hands
- Weakness in the upper extremities
- Decreased mobility of the head or neck
When to See a Doctor for Neck pain?
While most neck pains occur due to poor posture it is better to visit a doctor before the symptoms worsen.
Consult a doctor if you experience the following:
- Severe neck pain that doesn't appear to improve with rest
- Pain that radiates down the arm
- Numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness in the arms or hands
- Difficulty in moving head or neck
- Chronic headaches
- Infection signs such as fever, chills, or swollen lymph nodes
- Recent trauma or injury to the neck area
Diagnosis for neck pain/ cervical Pain
The diagnosis of a painful neck and cervical area is performed in the following steps:
1. Medical History and Physical Examination:
Your doctor will take a history of the symptoms and your medical history in case of any recent injuries to the neck. This would be assessed through a physical examination for range of motion, pain levels, and any signs of nerve involvement.
2. Imaging Tests:
To get a better understanding of the condition doctors advise doing the following imaging tests-
- X-rays: It is used to identify bone abnormalities, bone fractures, or degenerative changes.
- MRI: To find out if there is any damage in soft tissues like discs, nerves, and muscles.
- CT Scan: Details of the affected neck joints are imaged.
- Electromyography: It records the electrical activity of muscles and nerves; this test is useful in assessing any nerve damage.
Treatment for neck/ cervical pain-
1. Non-Surgical Treatments
Medication- Doctors prescribe medications to relieve pain or muscle relaxants in case of muscle spasms.
2. Physiotherapy
For better pain management physiotherapy is advised to strengthen and support the neck muscles. It improves function and enhances the flexibility of the neck. Physiotherapists also advice regarding posture correction and ergonomics. At Healyos, we have a wide range of physiotherapy options for treating our patients' Neck pain, customized according to each patient's needs and symptoms experience.
3. Lifestyle Modifications
Along with proper medication, lifestyle modification is also important. Basic modifications can be done in day-to-day life like-
- Good posture
- Use of pillows that offer support while sleeping
- frequent breaks while working
4. Other alternate therapies:
- Massage therapy
- Acupuncture
- Chiropractic care
5. Surgical interventions
If the conservative treatment fails to relieve pain, doctors might opt for the surgical route.
Surgical options include the following:
- Discectomy
- Laminectomy
- Spinal Fusion
Physiotherapy services for the pain of Neck pain as well as the underlying causes are available in the comfort of your home, by our expert Physiotherapists.
You can come to any of our centers either in Kharadi, Pune or Aundh, Pune for treatment by our skilled physiotherapists.