What is neck pain?
Due to its location and range-of-motion, your neck is often left unprotected and at risk for injury. Neck pain can range from mild discomfort to disabling, chronic pain.
Codeine For Pain
Codeine is a prescription-strength opioid analgesic used to treat mild-to-moderate pain when non-opioid options like paracetamol or ibuprofen are insufficient. It is typically reserved for short-term use (e.g., 3 days) to manage acute pain, post-operative discomfort, or injuries.
Oxycodone For Pain
Oxycodone is a potent opioid prescribed for moderate-to-severe pain not managed by other medications. It comes in immediate-release (e.g., Endone) and extended-release forms (e.g., OxyContin). It carries a high risk of addiction, misuse, and life-threatening breathing issues.
Hydromorphone For Pain
Hydromorphone is a potent opioid analgesic (often known as Dilaudid) used to manage moderate to severe acute or chronic pain when other treatments fail or cannot be tolerated. It is approximately 5 to 7.5 times stronger than morphine and alters your brain’s perception of pain.
What causes neck pain?
Many different things can cause neck pain including injury, age-related disorders, and inflammatory disease. Causes of neck pain and problems may include:
- Injury (damage to the muscles, tendons, or ligaments)
- Herniated disk in the neck
- Arthritis (such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis)
- Cervical (neck) disk degeneration
- Congenital (present at birth) abnormalities of the vertebrae and bones
- Tumors
Symptoms
Neck pain may feel:
- Tender
- Sharp
- Stiff
- Spasmodic
- Burning or tingling
Sometimes other symptoms occur along with neck pain such as weakness in your arm or hand, or headaches. Pain can also spread to your back.
How is neck pain diagnosed?
Along with a complete medical history and physical exam, diagnostic procedures for neck pain may include:
- Blood tests. These tests can help diagnose underlying inflammatory disease.
- Electromyogram (EMG). A test to evaluate nerve function.
- X-ray. A test that uses electromagnetic energy beams to make images of bones onto film.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A procedure that uses large magnets and a computer to make detailed images of organs and structures within the body. MRI can often identify damage or disease of internal structures within our joints, or in a surrounding ligament or muscle.
- Computed tomography scan (also called a CT or CAT scan). An imaging procedure that uses X-rays and computer technology to make images of the body. A CT scan shows detailed images of any part of the body, including the bones, muscles, fat, and organs. CT scans are more detailed than general X-rays.
How is neck pain treated?
Treatment may include:
- Medicine (to reduce inflammation and control pain)
- Rest
- Physical therapy
- Osteopathic manipulation
- Neck brace or immobilization
- Exercise
- Massage therapy
- Surgery
When should I call my healthcare provider?
Treatment for neck pain is recommended when the pain starts to prevent any future injury or damage.
Key points about neck pain
Using good body mechanics may prevent future injury.h-speed dentistry
Neck pain can range from mild discomfort to disabling, chronic pain.
Neck pain can result from many different causes–from injury, to age-related disorders, or inflammatory disease.
Seeking medical advice as soon as possible after the injury will minimize future damage and inflammation.
Once you have been treated for the initial injury, a program of physical rehabilitation may be necessary. It is important to follow through with your program and exercises to both strengthen and build muscles to support your activities.
