About chronic neck pain
It is a direct reaction to trauma to tissue or disease and normally goes away when you treat the injury, disease, or cause. Chronic neck and back pain is a persistent, long lasting recurrent pain that can go on for years.
Identifying the source of chronic pain, if possible, is the first step in evaluating and treating chronic neck pain and other long-lasting pains. You must never ignore any persistent pain including chronic neck pain, as it could be a sign of serious disease or illness and become worse if the cause is not determined and treated, although there are times when health care providers and specialists cannot identify the exact cause of chronic pain.
Managing chronic pain including chronic neck and back pain can be difficult and challenging. It often takes several combinations of treatment or therapy to find one that helps a person get some relief. Treatment goals are to increase the ability of a person to function while reducing pain. At home, it can be possible for you to manage or control your pain by eating a proper, healthy, balanced diet. Your doctor or a registered dietitian can supply you with a diet that contains all the vitamins and minerals you require.
Getting enough sleep, appropriate daily exercise, and taking anti-inflammatory and pain drugs often helps chronic neck pain sufferers. Some people find neck pain relief by using therapies such as meditation or acupuncture. Many people when dealing with chronic pain including chronic neck pain experience emotional problems such as anger,anxiety depression, fear, and/or frustration, thus making it difficult to deal with or conquer the pain.
Your emotional well-being is of great importance, so seek the help of a psychiatrist, psychologist, or licensed mental health counselor if necessary, for cognitive behavior therapy or other treatments.
If the above neck pain treatments do not alleviate or relieve your chronic neck pain, your doctor may prescribe physical therapy to improve function and movement. Your therapist may change, add or prescribe new or stronger medications or recommend relaxation techniques to help you reduce stress.
It is very important to find a specialist or doctor that you feel comfortable talking to, have confidence in, and maintain regular contact. Ask your doctor to refer you to a pain management clinic if the neck pain treatment provided is not effective. The health professionals at a pain management clinic will help you identify possible treatments and help you determine realistic goals.