The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Neck Muscle Pain Relief

From a slipped disc or pinched nerve to a spinal fracture, there are many causes of neck and back pain, and thankfully, many minimally invasive surgical options for neck and back pain relief. Causes of chronic neck and back pain may include age, trauma—such as a fall or sports injury—or overuse, like years of bending on the job.

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Dr. William P. Mosenthal reveals the connections between different symptoms—ranging from stabbing and burning pains to tingling sensations and muscle aches—to different spine injuries and conditions.

Back Stress

Carrying excess weight, often in the last trimester of pregnancy, can put added stress on your back, sending you on a search for neck and back pain relief treatment. Tension from stress, even emotional stress, can cause neck or back pain.

Sports-Related Injuries

Athletes who participate in high-contact sports like basketball, hockey, or soccer can suffer an acute injury that requires immediate neck and back pain relief. Repetitive activities can sometimes cause overuse stress in athletes. One treatment option is a steroid injection in the spine, an effective spine discomfort treatment.

Age-Related Neck and Back Pain

Many diseases and conditions that directly result from aging and deterioration of the bones and discs can cause neck and back pain. These can range from mild and occasional neck and back pain to acute symptoms that can be incapacitating.

Below are some common neck and back pain causes that require neck and back pain relief treatments administered by a qualified back doctor.

Degenerative Disc Disease

Degenerative disc disease occurs as we age, typically affecting people in the 30- to 50-year-old patient population.

Over time, the discs wear out and break down, reducing the amount of inner cushioning between the vertebrae. This cushioning gel-like material can sometimes squeeze out. This can affect local nerves that become inflamed and painful. Patients often need neck and back pain relief from degenerative disc disease.

Herniated Disc

A herniated disc is a type of degenerative disc disease. Your disc or discs may be ruptured, bulging, or protruding, which may cause compression of a nerve. This can occur in any of the 24 bones that make up the spine.

Although this can be very painful, there are non-surgical treatments that can provide neck pain or neck and back pain relief within a few weeks.

Sciatica (Radiculopathy)

If you’re feeling a shooting pain that travels down your leg, you may have a herniated disc causing radiculopathy, or what is more commonly known as sciatica pain. A bulging disc can press directly on a nerve which contributes to the sciatic nerve resulting in numbness, tingling, or leg weakness. 

Some of the options treating for sciatica pain that can provide the neck and back pain relief you need include injections, physical therapy, and spine surgery.

Explore Options for Effective At-Home Sciatica Pain Relief

Muscle or Ligament Strain or Sprain

Have you ever overstretched a muscle or tendon? This action can cause you to partially or fully tear the muscle tissue, resulting in a strain or sprain.

You can treat most of these injuries at home by following the RICE approach (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation). However, you may require surgery if you experience back pain after a severe tear (after lifting something heavy, falling, twisting the wrong way, after an accident or sports injury, and even sometimes sneezing). 

Osteoarthritis

According to the CDC, the pain, aching, stiffness, and decreased range of motion caused by osteoarthritis affects over 32.5 million adults in the United States. Osteoarthritis risk factors include joint injury or overuse, age, gender, obesity, genetics, and race. Numerous therapies can help you achieve neck pain or back pain relief.

Spinal Stenosis

Another common pain ailment caused by age is spinal stenosis. Back pain from spinal stenosis can affect your sleep. A narrowed spinal canal with a thickened ligament is to blame, but several treatments are available to correct this and provide back pain relief, including minimally invasive lumbar decompression.

Dr. Craig Forsthoefel explains what causes spinal stenosis, how it’s treated, and what you can do to prevent it.

Fibromyalgia

The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases defines fibromyalgia as a chronic (long-lasting) disorder that causes pain and tenderness throughout the body.

More women are affected by it than men, and the chance of getting it increases with age. Even though there is no cure, neck pain, and back pain relief options are available under the care of our board-certified pain management specialists.

Ankylosing Spondylitis

This type of arthritis can cause pain and stiffness in the lower back and hips. Patients commonly feel pain in the morning and after periods of inactivity.

Men are more likely than women to develop it. You can find back pain relief for ankylosing spondylitis through our board-certified rheumatologists.

Spondylolisthesis

This condition occurs when vertebrae in the back slip or shift out of place. This can be due to degenerative conditions, fractures, or injuries to the vertebrae. Caused by either genetics or overuse, spondylolisthesis requires back pain relief treatment.

Depending on the severity, it can present as muscle strain, radiating pain to the buttocks, low back pain, and numbness/tingling, among other sensations.

Meet Erica, a patient diagnosed with lordosis and spondylolisthesis at age 12, who’s now leading an active, pain-free life, thanks to expert care from IBJI’s Dr. Steven M. Mardjetko.

Compression Fractures/Osteoporosis

Older patients can commonly experience spinal fractures resulting from a weakened skeletal system, sometimes caused by osteoporosis. Back pain is felt near the fracture and can get worse with movement. Severe fractures can additionally cause radiating pain down the legs.

Scoliosis

Adolescent scoliosis typically doesn’t cause back pain, but adult degenerative scoliosis can cause problems requiring back pain relief. In severe cases of scoliosis where mobility is limited or back pain relief is desired, there are life-changing surgical options, including spinal fusion surgery. 

Get Tips to Help You Move Better and Live Better With Scoliosis

Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

Problems in the SI joints, located between the pelvic bones, can cause pain in the lower back, buttocks, and legs. Spinal injections often can provide long-lasting back pain relief.

FAQ: Neck and Back Pain Causes

If you had a recent fall or accident, your neck or back pain might be caused by the impact of the fall. We also encourage you to look at your physical activity.

• Did you pull or twist your neck or back incorrectly while doing a day-to-day activity or practicing a sport?
• Have you taken a hard fall?
• Is your weight causing added pressure on your back?

Overall, there could be many reasons why you’re experiencing spine pain. If you’re unsure of what could be causing pain in your neck or back, it’s time to see a specialist for a proper diagnosis and custom treatment plan.

Seeing a spine specialist will help you find out if an underlying condition causes your neck or back pain. They will examine your medical history and run multiple tests to determine the cause of your pain. Your doctor will be able to diagnose you and put you on the right treatment plan.

You may have neck or back arthritis if you experience a gradual increase in pain, swelling, lack of range of motion, and a change of appearance in your spine.

A rheumatologist who specializes in treating neck and back pain will order diagnostic tests for a better understanding of your spine. With these images, they can see if there is any wear and tear on the joint.

Imaging

Here is a closer look at the imaging tools that your back doctor may use before recommending options for neck or back pain relief.

X-ray

An X-ray will reveal the health and anatomy of your spine and certain issues such as osteoarthritis to get to a diagnosis that will lead to neck and back pain relief. X-rays show the bones in your spine, including the shape and alignment of the spine and any osteoarthritis. This is a great first screening tool you can obtain in the office.

MRI

MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, takes a closer look at discs and nerves and any nerves that may be pinched. An MRI can also detect a tumor. It may be conducted with an IV contrast to illuminate tissues in greater detail.

CT Scan

A CT scan takes cross-sectional, three-dimensional images of your back to give your back doctor a “slice by slice” view of your spine. This can lead to treatment that will provide neck or back pain relief. 3-D imaging of the bones reveals fractures causing your neck or back pain.

DEXA Scan

A DEXA scan or bone density scan helps to identify the health of the bones and whether or not you have osteoporosis, which can put you at risk for compression fractures. You may be referred to a rheumatologist to be treated for osteoporosis.

This scan also evaluates the strength of the bones and may be required if you are a candidate for spinal fusion surgery.

Physical Examination: What You Can Expect 

A specialist will ask you to perform a series of movements to analyze your mobility during your physical examination to observe you while you bend forward, backward, and side to side. They will also test your reflexes, noting any pain-related weakness, sensations, or limitations.

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Once your back doctor has determined the cause of your neck or back pain, you will discuss a treatment plan to help you reach your goal of neck or back pain relief. 

Numerous nonsurgical treatments can alleviate unrelenting neck or back pain. Your back doctor may recommend one or more conservative treatment options. At IBJI, our back doctors will always start with noninvasive methods to help you get upper or lower back pain relief.

Activity Modification

Your back doctor may ask you to avoid activities that cause pain. You may need to avoid sitting in one position for too long or refrain from repetitive bending, lifting, and twisting.

You can reduce neck and back pain by altering your workplace ergonomics if you have a desk job. Creating good ergonomics starts with a chair that provides good lumbar support, standing and stretching for a few minutes each hour, adjusting the height of your computer screen, and more.

Physical Therapy

Your physical therapist will design a personalized exercise program and tailor treatment to fit your needs. For example, exercises for someone with a disc herniation might be different for someone with spinal stenosis.

You will be able to find positions of comfort to obtain neck or back pain relief. Using back-friendly exercises, you can build up core muscles for a functional, stronger back.

Over-the-Counter Medication and Steroids

Your back doctor may advise you to take non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like naproxen sodium or ibuprofen as remedies for neck and back pain. If NSAIDs don’t provide pain relief, a type of steroid taper is routinely prescribed by a back doctor.

Heat/Ice

Heat brings blood flow to the area and relaxes muscles, so it can be helpful for patients who are seeking neck or back pain relief from muscle spasms. Twenty minutes on, twenty minutes off is a good place to start.

Conversely, ice decreases blood flow and has a numbing effect that can aid in providing relief for spine pain. Alternating both of these therapies can help you to achieve neck or back pain relief.

Acupuncture

Some patients may find comfort with nontraditional medical treatments to relieve neck and back pain. IBJI has back doctors who specialize in acupuncture.

Epidural Steroid Injections

Spinal injections come in a variety of styles. Some are used for nerve pain relief. A spine surgeon may refer you to a pain management physician for injections. These therapeutic injections can provide long-lasting neck or back pain relief and help identify the pain generator in your back.

Weight Loss Program

From a pain standpoint, it makes sense to lose weight because it reduces stress on your spine. As body mass index increases, there’s a higher risk factor for surgery from a surgical standpoint. Therefore, your back doctor may recommend a weight loss program before surgery to have the best possible odds for a successful recovery.

Wellness Services

Some orthopedic care providers have wellness services for their patients. At IBJI, our OrthoHealth program offers a multidisciplinary approach to weight loss and focuses on individualized plans that help adult and pediatric patients make healthy lifestyle changes.

Often covered by insurance, this program gives you access to a compassionate team of specialized physicians, physical therapists, registered dietitians, and certified health coaches to help you reach your personal goals.

IBJI also offers fitness classes and training at our Health Performance Institute, which offers three convenient locations. Participating in the OrthoHealth program and HPI classes has helped many patients experience neck or back pain relief.

Learn More About OrthoHealth and How to Enroll

If non-surgical options haven’t worked to provide you with neck pain or back pain relief, you may need to consider a surgical procedure. Many patients read information online about spinal surgery, which may increase their anxiety levels.

Talking to a spine specialist often alleviates their concerns as they learn that the surgery itself and the recovery aren’t as difficult or painful as they imagined.

In addition, more back doctors are approaching surgery using minimally invasive procedures that use advanced technologies. Traditional surgery may be necessary in some cases, but you’ll always have an active role and a voice in your personalized treatment plan.

With the help of your care team, you will know exactly what to expect, including how to prepare for your upcoming surgery, the details of your surgery, and how best to recover.

Below are some commonly asked questions our back doctors receive from patients who are seeking surgery for neck or back pain relief.

FAQ: Spine Surgery

While there is no established definition for minimally invasive spine surgery, it typically refers to procedures that use tubular, endoscopic, microscope-aided, or a smaller incision approach. Minimally invasive surgeries are more “soft tissue-friendly.”

It depends on the surgeon’s comfort, but many of the conditions that a spine surgeon can treat with open surgery can be fixed with minimally invasive surgery.

Decompression and fusion surgeries can be performed using minimally invasive techniques.

A traditional open approach is a mid-line incision that requires a surgeon to cut through muscle.

Minimally invasive surgeries can be performed with a tubular retractor, a tool that can make a keyhole incision to get to the pain generator. The retractor spreads through, rather than cutting through, the muscle tissue. This results in decreased pain, a shorter hospital stay, and a lower infection rate.

After two weeks, most patients will be seen back in the office to check the incision. Most patients will feel well enough to return to work around the six-week mark, sometimes sooner. With spinal fusion surgery, it may take six to 12 weeks.

Not in every case, but the earliest when a back doctor would recommend physical therapy would be at the six-week mark. Your spine specialist will encourage walking before the six-week mark as you heal.

A spinal fusion provides stability to an unstable spinal segment, and the ultimate goal is to allow the two spinal segments to become one. Screws and rods are typically used because data shows a higher fusion rate over surgeries that don’t use hardware.

Most patients don’t feel them or need to get them removed.

Insurance Coverage for Neck or Back Pain Relief Surgery

Once it’s determined that you will be scheduling surgery with a qualified back doctor, you may need to get clearance from your primary care provider, depending on the requirements of your surgical facility. In addition, an IBJI team member will work with you to determine if insurance approval is required.

Support Before, During, and After Surgery

OrthoSync at IBJI guides you along your surgical journey to ensure you’re taken care of from start to finish and that your recovery is as seamless as possible. Coverage for this service is dependent on your insurance plan and includes a visit with a specialist who will ensure your care is synchronized.

Listen to IBJI OrthoInform Podcast: Spinal Fusion Surgery

Dealing with neck pain is no walk in the park. Simple activities, like driving or working on your computer, become much more uncomfortable. You might feel that over-the-counter pain medication is the only way to address your discomfort–but manual therapy for neck pain offers a drug-free, hands-on alternative.

Neck pain can have any number of causes, which is one of the reasons it’s so common. You might develop neck pain after a whiplash-related injury you sustained during a car accident, but you can also injure your neck gradually through poor postural habits. Sometimes, neck pain stems from underlying causes, such as spinal arthritis.

However, no matter the reason for your neck pain, physical therapy at Boulet Physical Therapy and Wellness can help you manage your symptoms and find lasting relief. We frequently incorporate manual therapy techniques into our treatment plans to address stiffness and immobility in the neck joint and surrounding tissue–helping to reduce pain and restore movement.

Keep reading to learn more about manual therapy for neck pain!

What Is Manual Therapy and How Does It Help with Neck Pain?

Manual therapy is a specialized hands-on approach that our physical therapists use to ease tissue restrictions and promote blood circulation to the affected area, which helps to facilitate your body’s natural healing processes.

Several techniques fall under the “manual therapy” umbrella, such as the following:

Soft Tissue Mobilization

• This technique manipulates the soft tissue in your neck to reduce tension and improve blood flow. When muscles are less tense, they provide better support to the neck, which can lead to reduced pain.

Joint Mobilization

• We’ll carefully guide your neck through its current range of motion, making it easier to move without discomfort.

Muscle Energy Techniques

• These exercises involve engaging specific muscles against gentle resistance, which helps relax tight muscles and realign joints for better movement.

Why Choose Manual Therapy for Neck Pain?

While manual therapy can help with acute pain relief, it actually does much more than that! Manual therapy for neck pain offers several benefits, including the following:

Long-Term Pain Reduction

• Manual therapy seeks to address the root causes of neck pain, such as muscle tightness or joint stiffness. It can help provide lasting relief, especially when paired with therapeutic exercise.

Improved Range of Motion

• Neck pain is often accompanied by neck stiffness, which worsens symptoms. Manual therapy helps to carefully improve your neck’s mobility, making daily activities easier and more comfortable.

Better Posture

• Many manual therapy techniques improve alignment and posture, preventing future pain by teaching the body healthier movement patterns.

Enhanced Healing Processes

• Manual therapy techniques promote blood circulation to the targeted area, boosting the body’s natural healing processes and maximizing recovery.

Give Manual Therapy for Neck Pain a Try Today!

Don’t let neck pain limit your life! Manual therapy can be a valuable step toward finding relief and reclaiming comfort. The Boulet Physical Therapy and Wellness team will work with you to target your individual needs, making manual therapy an effective choice for neck pain.

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