Neck pain can make it impossible to execute your daily routine or enjoy your favorite physical activities. In most cases, neck pain resolves after a few days of rest, but it may cause alarm if it persists. The medical experts at Downtown Pain Management offer consultation and treatments for neck pain in Red Bank.

What are the indispensable facts about neck pain?

Neck pain is rarely a cause for alarm, and in most cases, it resolves after adequate rest or with over-the-counter pain relievers. However, if your neck pain worsens or persists after a few weeks, you may need medical assistance. You should visit the nearest health center if you experience shooting pain radiating from your shoulder down or your arm or numbness in your arms, in addition to your neck pain. Neck pain can affect people of all ages, but it is more common in older adults vulnerable to arthritis.

What are the common misconceptions about neck pain?

People have different beliefs about neck pain, making obtaining information and treatments from credible sources crucial. Most people believe that the neck muscles are solely responsible for neck pain, which is not valid. Others believe that as you age, neck pain is inevitable. There is no medical evidence proving it stems from old age. Neck pain in older adults is usually due to underlying medical conditions such as osteoarthritis, lack of regular exercise, and unhealthy habits such as hunching over your laptop for an extended period. The other common belief is that neck pain stems from a weak spine. The spine is a robust and sturdy structure that can rarely be referred to as soft. Your neck pain may only be due to poor posture, which leads to spine problems, resulting in neck pain.

Chronic neck pain is usually due to:

• Sports injuries
• Herniated discs
• Osteoporosis
• Nerve compression
• Cervical spinal stenosis

If you experience persistent neck pain, do not hesitate to inform an experienced medical expert for an accurate diagnosis.

What diagnostic techniques does your doctor use to diagnose neck pain?

During your appointment, Dr. Ben-Meir studies your medical history and conducts a medical exam to determine the underlying cause of your pain. He may also use selective nerve blocks, X-ray, nerve conduction study (NCS), musculoskeletal ultrasound, and Electromyography to obtain an accurate diagnosis. Selective nerve blocks not only diagnose neck pain they also relieve neck pain.

Are there reliable treatments for neck pain?

After diagnosis, Dr. Ben-Meir educates you about the available treatment options before helping you make an appropriate choice. Afterward, he may create a personalized treatment plan that may begin with conservative treatments such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), acupuncture, massage, and chiropractic. Suppose conventional methods fail to alleviate your symptoms. In that case, Dr. Ben-Meir may move on to integrative pain management techniques like spinal cord stimulation, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, radiofrequency ablation, and epidural nerve blocks. If your neck pain stems from a compressed nerve root, he may recommend surgery.

To explore the causes of neck pain and the available treatments, call Dr. Ben-Meir or schedule your appointment on their website.