Tuesday 2 May 2017

Treatment Modalities For Neck Pain Conroe Residents Need To Be Aware Of


By Harold Stevens


Neck pain is a fairly common condition among both men and women. The source of this discomfort may be any of the tissues found in the cervical region including the bony structures, the muscles, ligaments and glands among others. The symptom may be acute (usually a result of trauma or infections) or chronic (mainly due to degenerative conditions or prolonged infections). There are a number of things on neck pain Conroe residents need to know if struggling with this problem.

Neck muscle strains account for a majority of the cases that are seen in most clinics. The good news is that most minor strains involving ligaments and tendons are self-limiting and typically resolve in a day or two. A number of homemade remedies to help alleviate the symptoms exist. For instance, application of cold compressions at the affected area helps reduce associated inflammation and expedites the healing process.

Hot compressions are just as effective as the cold compressions. They work by enhancing blood flow to the painful site which in turn increases the delivery of oxygen and nutrients necessary for wound healing. Using over the counter medications such as naproxen, ibuprofen and diclofenac helps to relieve the pain and to make one comfortable even as healing takes place. Massage therapy is another treatment that is always considered under this category.

If the home therapies fail to work, you need to make an effort to see a doctor. The doctor will embark on making a diagnosis by obtaining a clinical history and subjecting you to a physical examination. The history will focus on determining the exact site, the intensity and duration of symptoms. The examination incorporates the evaluation of the neck structures as well as the nervous system.

In some cases, the condition is associated with several other symptoms such as double vision, headache, shoulder ache, arm numbness, and so on. This association usually suggests the involvement of cranial nerves and the meninges and calls for urgent evaluation by a doctor. If there is accompanying low back pain, ankylosing spondylitis is a possibility.

Radiographic images are a key investigations in diagnosis conditions affecting the cervical region. A plain radiograph (X-Ray) and CT scan are most useful for the evaluation of bony structures. The MRI is the investigation of choice if the problem is believed to originate from the soft tissue structures. In a number of cases the results of these investigations may be normal.

The risk factors for this condition include contact sports such rugby, football and martial arts, motor sport, horse riding and poor body posture among others. Prevention is dependent on the specific situation. The general measures that may be undertaken include strengthening exercises and the use of cervical braces.

Neck pain has many causes that range from trauma to infections to degenerative conditions. Symptoms vary in patterns and severity. While most cases can be managed easily at home, others are more serious and require evaluation by a specialist. Many cases can be prevented by taking precautionary measures particularly for those that are involved in contact sports.




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