There are few things in life that are worse than chronic neck pain. At just about any given time, anywhere from 10 to 15% of the population suffer from neck pain. That’s what the latest statistics say. Accounting for 15% of pain reported, neck pain is the second most common type of pain for which people receive treatment. Neck pain wreaks havoc on our work force as well, effecting 45% of employees on the job. No one likes to have chronic neck pain spoil an otherwise perfectly nice day at the office or out in the field.
It would at least be nice if there were only one type of neck pain to deal with. You could go see a doctor, get treatment and get back to your life. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. There are several different types of neck pain. Most of the differences stem from where in the neck the trouble is emanating. You might find that you have neck pain that persists for more than a few weeks or even months. It might even fluctuate. Sometimes your pain may be worse when you wake up than it is later in the day. Perhaps your pain may impair one of your arms or the fingers in your hand. These symptoms can be the result of disc issues, pinched nerves or even deeper spinal problems that may not be easily detected at first.
The good news is, not all acute pain will develop into chronic pain. Everything depends on the individual. Sometimes a slight injury will develop into chronic pain for one, while a serious injury may not lead to lasting pain for another. In any case, a question many people find themselves faced with is what to do about treatment. Should you see your regular primary doctor; do you need chiropractic support; or should you seek the expertise of spinal surgeons?
Spinal surgeons have done some truly amazing in recent years. With the advancement of technology, we’re seeing a much wider rage of treatment options available. A minimally invasive surgery such as micro spinal neck surgery, or a microdiscectomy, can facilitate healing much more quickly because the neural impingement is removed.
If you do find yourself in need of the expertise of spinal surgeons, you can rest assured that during your road to recovery, you’d be in equally good hands. Spinal rehabilitation specialists will likely put together a program of some combination of strength training, low-impact exercise and stretching. They are specially trained to guide you along as you move closer and closer to you goal of pain-free living. Don’t be afraid to seek the treatment you need. The sooner you do, the sooner you can get back to enjoying the things you love the most.
