Chronic Neck Pain: 5 Nonsurgical Treatment Options That Can Deliver Lasting Relief

Persistent neck pain can be debilitating. When something as simple as turning your head to look over your shoulder is uncomfortable, daily living becomes burdensome. If you have chronic neck pain, you might be willing to do just about anything to get relief.

That doesn’t mean, however, that you need to go under the knife. Before you consider surgery, there are a variety of treatment options you should explore first. 

Here at Hawai’i Pain and Spine on the Windward side of O’ahu in Kailua, Dr. Jonathan Carlson can help you determine if any nonsurgical neck pain treatments could bring you relief. 

Here are five worth your consideration: 

1. Injection-based treatment

With injectable medications, Dr. Carlson can address the root cause of your neck pain. In some cases, directly applying an anti-inflammatory can help to alleviate the discomfort and support healing in your neck. 

In other instances, Dr. Carlson recommends pain-relieving injections like an epidural or a facet joint injection. 

With injectable treatments, Dr. Carlson delivers the medication your neck needs right where it needs it. 

2. Physical therapy

Physical therapy can be particularly effective for chronic neck pain that’s caused by an issue in the soft tissue. 

With targeted stretching and strengthening exercises, you can potentially relax tension and build muscle. Your physical therapist works with you to develop a plan that supports your neck and eases your pain. 

3. Heat therapy

Applying heat to your neck can help improve circulation in the area, encourage tight muscles to release, and improve flexibility. Dr. Carlson works with you to find a form of heat therapy that you can consistently and comfortably apply at home. 

4. Ultrasound

Studies show that therapeutic ultrasound is a safe and effective way to potentially alleviate your neck pain. The sound waves penetrate through your skin into your soft tissue, encouraging better circulation and your body’s natural healing processes.

5. Electrical stimulation therapy

Dr. Carlson can help you determine if the variety of electrical stimulation-based treatments available today could help your neck. That includes transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), a painless way to encourage your muscles to contract, boosting circulation while making your muscles stronger, and even tiring them out to the point that they have to relax. 

Clearly, you have a lot of treatment options you can explore before you considering a surgical procedure. Dr. Carlson can help you identify what might be right for you based on the problem causing your neck pain, your discomfort levels, and your lifestyle. 

To start evaluating nonsurgical treatment options with the help of a neck pain expert, call our office to schedule your appointment with Dr. Carlson today.