Neck pain affects a significant portion of the population and there are many potential causes of this uncomfortable condition. If you’re suffering from neck pain, it might be difficult to enjoy life and live it to the fullest. Here at 512 Pain Management Clinic, we want to help you find a pain-free life again.
Understanding Neck Pain: The Basic Anatomy of the Neck
The neck is a complex part of the body that is made up of muscles, glands, vertebrae, nerves, and other structures all laid out in a specific way. You can get a better understanding of the neck by splitting it into four spaces or compartments:
Visceral Compartment — This part of the neck contains its glands, as well as the trachea, larynx, pharynx, and part of the esophagus. This space runs along the front-center of the neck.
Vertebral Compartment — In this compartment, you can find the neck muscles and the cervical vertebrae. This section comprises most of the neck, making up the back portion.
Vascular Compartments — These two sections contain the internal jugular vein and common carotid artery as well as the vagus nerve. These compartments run along either side of the visceral compartment along the front of the neck.
The vertebral compartment of the neck is the most vulnerable to painful injuries, but any part of the neck can become damaged. We can help you determine which part of your neck has been injured and help you get treatment.
Common Causes of Neck Pain
Whiplash — Whiplash is commonly seen in car accidentsand involves damage to the ligaments, muscles, and other soft tissues in the neck. Your whiplash symptoms may take hours or days to appear.
Herniated Disk — While herniated disks are often associated with back pain, you can also herniate a disk in or near your neck. This can result in a constant, pinching pain in your neck.
Facet Joint Injury — The joints that allow for neck stability and movement can become injured or inflamed, potentially leading to serious pain, as well as mobility and stability issues.
Muscle Strain — Overuse of the neck muscles can result in painful muscle strain. Muscle strain can be caused by continuous use or by awkward movements of the neck.
Neck Fracture — A serious injury, neck fractures can cause extreme pain. If you think you may have a neck fracture, avoid moving and seek immediate emergency medical attention.
Tension Headache — Severe headaches, particularly tension headaches, can cause radiating neck pain. Tension headaches are often caused by stress and anxiety that keep us tense.
When To See a Doctor for Neck Pain
When To Go to the Emergency Room
Any traumatic injury involving the neck
Weakness in the arms and legs
Trouble walking
Fever
Severe neck pain
You feel tingling or numbness
When To See a Physician for Care
Your neck pain gets worse
Your neck pain lasts longer than a week
Your pain is radiating through your arms and legs
Swollen glands
You’re not sure what’s causing your neck pain
You Can Rely on 512 Pain Management in Austin for Neck Pain Relief
Neck pain can be a serious hurdle between us and the things that we love. Here at 512 Pain Management, we are committed to helping patients in Austin find relief from their pain. We provide nonsurgical, nonnarcotic pain relief solutions to make a pain-free life a reality for our patients. If you’re suffering from neck pain after a non-emergency injury, get the answers you need to make a full recovery. Come see a pain management specialist at 512 Pain Management to find the path forward to recovery.
Neck Pain Treatments
Trigger Point Injections
Tension in your neck can cause your muscles to form into painful “knots.” Trigger point injections target your neck pain and provide fast-acting relief at the source.
Facet Blocks
If your facet joints are causing you pain, we can deliver powerful pain-relieving treatment directly to the source of your pain with a facet block.
Pharmacological Therapy
One powerful tool in our arsenal against pain is medication and pharmacology. We can help you find a non-narcotic pain relief solution that works for you.
If you’re suffering from neck pain, come see an Austin pain specialist for nonsurgical pain relief.
