Neck Pain

Knowing that neck pain is a common problem, affecting 14% of adults, doesn’t help when you spend the day holding your head in one position to prevent the searing pain. At Southern Vascular & Pain Management, Thomas Hodgkiss, MD, has many innovative interventional and regenerative medicine solutions that effectively ease the pain and restore your ability to enjoy your day. To schedule an appointment, call the office in Blytheville, Arkansas, Memphis or Union City, Tennessee, or use the online booking feature today.

What causes neck pain?

Though athletic activities and car accidents frequently cause neck pain, it doesn’t take a major impact to develop neck problems. 

Everyday wear-and-tear causes pulled muscles and ligaments. Even something as inactive as sitting with poor posture or bending your head to use electronic devices can easily cause neck strain.

Other conditions that commonly result in neck pain include:

• Herniated disc
• Slipped vertebra
• Osteoarthritis
• Degenerative disc disease
• Spinal stenosis
• Thickened ligaments
• Vertebral bone spurs

These conditions frequently push up against spinal nerves, resulting in a pinched nerve.

What other symptoms accompany neck pain?

 Neck pain goes hand-in-hand with a stiff neck and limited mobility. Depending on the cause of your neck pain, you could also have headaches, dizziness, or muscle spasms in your upper shoulders.

Pinched nerves cause tingling, pain, or numbness that travels down your arm, even going as far as your hand. In some cases, a pinched nerve leads to muscle weakness in your hand and arm.

How is neck pain treated?

The only way to recommend the best treatment is to determine the true cause of your pain. Dr. Hodgkiss reviews your medical history and symptoms, does a physical exam, and then orders diagnostic imaging if needed. 

When developing your customized treatment plan, Dr. Hodgkiss focuses on easing your pain while also helping the injury heal. Neck pain treatment often begins with conventional options such as heat, gentle stretching, steroid injections, and changing your activities if needed. 

As specialists in interventional and regenerative medicine, Southern Vascular & Pain Management offers many treatments beyond conventional care. Their treatments provide effective pain relief because they target the source of your pain.

A few examples of your treatment choices include:

• Epidural steroid injections
• Trigger point injections
• Mesenchymal stem cell therapy
• Exosome therapy
• Facet joint injections
• Spinal cord stimulation
• Radiofrequency ablation

These are all minimally invasive procedures done using ultrasound or fluoroscopy (X-ray) guidance to be sure the treatment targets precise nerves or muscles. Some of the treatments reduce inflammation, while others block nerves from relaying pain messages to your brain.

The regenerative treatments, mesenchymal stem cell therapy and exosomes, regenerate new tissues that heal your neck. 

You can find relief from neck pain at Southern Vascular & Pain Management so don’t wait to schedule an appointment. Call the nearest office or book online today.