Neck pain is a common issue that can significantly impact daily life, making simple tasks like turning your head, driving, or even sleeping comfortably a challenge. Whether it's caused by poor posture, injuries, or chronic conditions like arthritis, finding effective treatment is crucial to improving quality of life. One of the most promising treatments for chronic neck pain relief is the use of injections. These minimally invasive procedures can offer targeted relief, reduce inflammation, and improve mobility. In this guide, we will explore various types of injections for chronic neck pain, including cervical epidural steroid injections, facet joint injections, and trigger point injections, detailing how each works and what to expect during treatment.
Cervical epidural steroid injections are used to reduce inflammation and pain in the neck and upper spine. The procedure involves injecting a steroid and anesthetic mixture into the epidural space around the spinal cord. This can help alleviate pain caused by conditions such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and radiculopathy. The injection aims to reduce swelling and inflammation around the nerve roots, providing significant pain relief and improving function. If you're dealing with back pain, gaining knowledge about effective management strategies is essential for relief and recovery.
Facet joint injections target the small joints in the neck that connect the vertebrae. These injections involve a mixture of anesthetic and steroid medication directly into the facet joints. They are particularly effective for pain resulting from arthritis or degenerative changes in the cervical spine. By reducing inflammation in these joints, facet joint injections can significantly decrease pain and improve neck mobility, allowing for greater ease in daily activities.
Trigger point injections are used to treat painful areas of muscle that contain trigger points, or knots of muscle that form when muscles do not relax. These injections deliver a local anesthetic and sometimes a steroid directly into the trigger point, helping to relax the muscle and alleviate pain. This treatment is particularly useful for muscle-related neck pain and can provide quick and effective relief, allowing patients to resume their normal activities with less discomfort.
The cervical spine, located in the neck, is a complex structure composed of vertebrae, discs, nerves, and muscles. The cervical spine includes seven vertebrae (C1-C7) that support the head's weight and allow for a wide range of motion. Between these vertebrae are intervertebral discs, which act as cushions to absorb shock and provide flexibility. Nerves branch out from the spinal cord through the cervical spine, transmitting signals between the brain and the rest of the body. Muscles and ligaments surrounding the cervical spine help stabilize and move the neck.
Common conditions that can cause neck pain include herniated discs, where the inner gel-like core of a disc protrudes out and compresses nearby nerves; spinal stenosis, which is the narrowing of the spinal canal that can pressure the spinal cord and nerves; and arthritis, which involves the inflammation of the joints and can lead to pain and stiffness.
Neck pain can arise from various causes, including degenerative conditions, injuries, and referred pain. Degenerative conditions such as disc degeneration and osteoarthritis are common culprits. As discs age, they lose their cushioning ability, leading to pain and discomfort. Osteoarthritis causes the breakdown of cartilage in the joints, resulting in pain and inflammation.
Injuries like whiplash from sudden head movements or strains from overuse or poor posture can also cause significant neck pain. Additionally, pain can be referred from other areas, such as the shoulders or upper back, due to interconnected nerve pathways.
Typical symptoms of neck pain include pain and stiffness, often accompanied by numbness or weakness in the arms or hands. These symptoms can affect daily activities and reduce the overall quality of life.
Understanding the anatomy of the cervical spine and the common causes of chronic neck pain is crucial for identifying effective treatments. At NASPAC, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive care and advanced treatments to help alleviate neck pain and restore mobility.
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive procedure used to reduce pain by disrupting nerve function. The process involves using radiofrequency energy to heat and damage specific nerves, thereby preventing them from sending pain signals to the brain. This technique is particularly effective for chronic pain conditions that have not responded to other treatments. Unlike other injection procedures that typically deliver medications to reduce inflammation, RFA targets the nerves directly, offering a more permanent solution for pain relief.
RFA is used to treat a variety of conditions, including:
The RFA procedure involves several key steps:
Potential side effects include temporary numbness, muscle weakness, and discomfort at the injection site. Most patients can return to normal activities within a few days.
RFA can provide long-term pain relief lasting from six months to a year, depending on the individual and the condition treated. However, it is important to note that nerve regeneration can occur, necessitating repeat procedures. Compared to other treatment options, RFA offers a more targeted and prolonged relief, making it a preferred choice for many patients with chronic pain.
At NASPAC, we are dedicated to offering advanced pain management solutions like radiofrequency ablation to help you achieve lasting relief and improve your quality of life.
Also known as a rhizotomy, radio frequency ablations can provide long-term relief by ‘turning off’ nerve endings connected to arthritic facet joints. Overtime, the nerve endings will naturally heal, and the procedure can be performed as needed to give repeated relief.
Lumbar Epidural Injections treat pain in the lower back or sciatica. The procedure reduces inflammation and allows for improved mobility and of the lower back and legs, so the patient can progress with their rehabilitation.
Cervical epidural steroid injections are aimed at treating neck pain derived from inflammation to cervical nerve roots. This can cause radicular pain down the arm and into the hand. CESI’s can provide short-term relief to help the patient with a rehabilitation or exercise regimen to progress further.
Lumbar medial branch blocks are used to determine the source of the patient’s lower back pain. If the patient experiences significant relief after the injection, then the procedure has successfully determined the source of the pain, and the patient can proceed with their rehabilitation regimen/additional procedures to achieve long term relief.
Cervical epidural steroid injections are aimed at treating neck pain derived from inflammation to cervical nerve roots. This can cause radicular pain down the arm and into the hand. CESI’s can provide short-term relief to help the patient with a rehabilitation or exercise regimen to progress further.
SI joint injections are aimed at treating lower back pain or sciatica. Sacroiliac joint dysfunction can be diagnosed after an SI injection if the patient reports immediate significant pain relief.
Biacuplasty is aimed at treating chronic disc-related pain. The procedure is a type of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) that uses two thin electrode probes which are inserted into the disc. While producing the electrodes, the probes and tissue are actively cooled, and provide for less discomfort.
The celiac plexus is a nerve group surrounding the aorta. The block will stop the nerves from carrying pain information to your brain, and give you relief. This procedure is commonly performed on patients who experience abdominal pain linked to or derived from cancer.
Aimed at treating pain in and round the pelvic or groin area, a ganglion of impar injection is a sympathetic block to determine if the pain is derived from the injection site or is sympathetically medicated. This procedure is typically performed twice for confirmation.
Another type of RFA , genicular nerve ablations are used to treat osteoarthritis in the knee. The procedure is minimally invasive and can provide adequate relief for patients.
The hypogastric plexus is a bundle of nerves at towards the bottom of your spinal cord. Blocking these nerves is typically aimed at preventing pain derived from the lower digestive or reproductive systems, or sometimes cancer. Some patients will report immediate relief after the procedure, and long-term relief after a few days.
A steroid joint injection is a common injection performed directly into the area the patient is reporting pain. The length of relief is different for each patient, but long-term relief is more likely with a working physical therapy or exercise regimen.
An INB is used for treating chest pain caused by a surgical incision or shingles (herpes zoster infection). When the steroid is injected into the intercoastal nerves, located under each rib, the inflammation of the tissue is reduced, providing relief. It is advised patients do not do heavy lifting or significant physical activity in the 24 hours after the injection.
Kyphoplasty is necessary for patients who have a fracture from osteoporosis. A small balloon is surgically inserted into the vertebrae and inflated, which returns the structure to a more normal and more compact position.
Sympathetic blocks to the lumbar spine help relieve sciatica and/or chronic pain that radiates down the leg and into the foot.
Herniated discs create pressure on a spinal nerve root. A microdiscectomy removes the ‘bulge’ that is identified as the reason for lower back pain, sciatica and leg pain.
Spinal stenosis in the lower back is when the spinal canal is narrowed and nerve fibers compressed, which causes pain and numbness. MILD removes excess bone tissue and/or ligaments compressing on the spinal cord and causing the pain. Patients are advised to rest without heavy lifting or significant activity for a few days after this procedure.
Migraines or chronic headaches are usually related to occipital nerve irritation. The occipital nerves are injected through the back of the head or neck, and patients can experience relief almost immediately.
A spinal cord stimulator is a device that is sends electrical impulses through electrodes placed where the patient would typically receive an epidural for their pain relief. When the patient experiences pain, they can use a remote control to activate the stimulator.
Vertiflex is a implanted device that is used to treat patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. If pressure is being applied to the nerve roots, the vertiflex implant is placed within the spine to relieve the pressure, and relieve back and leg pain.
Pain traveling through sympathetic nerves in or around the neck can be treated with a stellate ganglion block. This injection is used for patients who experience causalgia, shingles, reflex sympathetic dystrophy or decreased blood flow to the heart.
The dorsal root ganglion nerves connect the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, which contain sensory neurons, to the rest of the nervous system. Stimulating these nerves allows for greater precision when dealing with lower body pain.
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