Neck Pain services offered in St. George, UT
As the fourth leading cause of disability, neck pain can be a very serious issue and isn’t something you should ignore if it’s long-lasting or recurrent. At Alturas Pain and Spine Specialists in St. George, UT, pain management specialist Stacie Oliver, MD, treats neck pain with gentle, minimally invasive care. To schedule an evaluation and treatment consultation, call the office, or book online today.
What is neck pain?
Neck pain is a prevalent symptom associated with several injuries and conditions. The cervical spine is in the neck, which houses the spinal cord. Many nerve roots branch out from the cervical spine and travel to other areas of your body. If the pain in your neck comes from nerve root compression, the pain can appear elsewhere.
Some cases of neck pain are not long-lasting. Some people experience neck pain occasionally because they sleep in an awkward position, and it doesn’t last longer than a day or two. However, neck pain can also be chronic, causing weeks, months, or years of discomfort.
At Alturas Pain and Spine Specialists, Dr. Oliver evaluates your neck pain and the impact it has on your function. Then, she creates a treatment plan to reduce the pain and restore the neck’s strength and mobility.
What causes neck pain?
Neck pain can be the result of a chronic or degenerative condition, an acute injury, or an injury from repetitive movements. You might have more than one injury or condition affecting the neck simultaneously.
A few common causes of neck pain that Dr. Oliver sees on a regular basis are:
- Degenerative disc disease
- Herniated disc
- Osteoarthritis
- Spondylolisthesis
- Whiplash injuries
- Chronic muscle injury
Factors like poor posture, stress, and smoking can make the pain even more intense. You might also be more prone to neck pain if you work in a position that requires prolonged time working at a desk.
What are my options for neck pain treatment?
At Alturas Pain and Spine Specialists, Dr. Oliver treats your neck pain with lifestyle modifications and in-office minimally invasive procedures. She might encourage you to get more rest, change your diet, or stop smoking in combination with care she provides in the office.
Your treatment options for neck pain include:
Radiofrequency ablation
Radiofrequency ablation is a nerve treatment procedure that stops painful nerve signals using radiofrequency energy. This stops them from transmitting pain signals in your neck.
Epidural injections
An epidural steroid injection is a low-risk procedure where corticosteroids are injected into the epidural space, which is a space just outside the spinal canal that is a safe place to place medications. Using live image guidance, Dr. Oliver can place the steroid medication in the epidural space to decrease the inflammation of the discs and nerves in the neck which can provide significant pain relief.
Trigger Point Injections
Trigger point injections are a steroid-free treatment to help painful and injured muscles. The treatment helps muscles to heal and relax. Using ultrasound guidance, Dr. Oliver injects a local anesthetic into the painful muscles. The results vary but can last for weeks or months.
For more information on neck pain causes and treatments, call Alturas Pain and Spine Specialists, or book an appointment online today.
