If you have been experiencing neck pain, you are probably worrying if it's serious or wondering how to deal with it as well as how to prevent it from happening again.
It's not surprising that there are many misconceptions about neck pain known all around NYC. It often results in mistakes in managing the pain. But when you start to experience it yourself, how the pain is caused and how to treat it tend to be mysterious.
The purpose of this blog is to dispel those myths and misconceptions. Hopefully, debunking these misconceptions can help lead you to proper treatment and All Of Pain New York Pain Management can help you with that.
Neck Pain Myths And Misconceptions
If you have neck pain, you're not alone. Unfortunately, it's one of the most common ailments that people deal with. However, it's important to know that there is hope for relief from neck pain, and it doesn't have to be a lifelong problem if you get the right treatment.
Neck pain can be a source of significant disability and cost if left unaddressed. There could be other factors that contribute to your neck pain. But what should you do if you have persistent neck pain?
Here are 10 misconceptions about neck pain conditions that could lead you to make costly mistakes in your treatment:
1. Neck pain is due to an injury or trauma
Neck pain can be caused by an injury or trauma, but not all cases are related to an injury or trauma. Many people experience neck pain as a result of poor posture, which leads to muscle strain and pinched nerves in the neck region. Poor posture is especially common among those who work at computers all day long — whether they're sitting or standing — because it puts stress on the muscles surrounding your cervical spine (the upper part of your spine).
2. If it isn't hurting, it isn't a problem
This misconception is particularly common among young adults who have been told that their neck pain is due to "wear and tear" on their bodies (a condition called degenerative disc disease). While this can certainly be true in some cases, if you're experiencing any symptoms of neck pain (such as numbness or tingling in your hands), see a pain doctor immediately to rule out more serious causes like a pinched nerve or herniated disc.
3. You're too young for neck pain
We often hear this from patients who are in their 20s and 30s. Well, it's true that the elderly are more likely to be affected by back and neck pain than younger people. However, children and teens can also experience neck pain. It can be caused by a mishap during sports or even poor posture while studying. For example, if you have a job that requires you to look down at a computer screen all day, your neck muscles start to tighten up and become strained. The good news is that a pain doctor can treat it.
4. Neck pain means you need surgery
Just because you have neck pain doesn't mean it's time to call your surgeon. When most people experience neck pain, they assume that it's a result of a serious problem that needs surgery to be treated. But, nobody wants to have a surgery that might leave them bedridden for weeks or months.
In fact, many patients who undergo surgery for a herniated disc — which is when a small piece of cartilage pushes through a weakened area in the spine — are left with even worse pain than they had before they went under the knife. In some cases, these patients wind up getting additional surgeries because the first one didn't help at all.
In reality, many people have surgery for spinal problems only to find that their pain persists. That's because the majority of cases of neck pain are caused by muscle spasms and inflammation, which can be resolved at our pain management center in New York.
5. It's all in your head
Neck pain is often dismissed as a psychological issue. In fact, neck pain can be a result of many different things, including trauma and degenerative changes.
6. Neck pain is only temporary
Most people with neck pain have long-term symptoms that last for weeks or months. The discomfort may come and go, but if you experience neck pain, it's important to seek help from qualified health care experts who can work with you to find the root cause of your problem and create an effective treatment plan.
7. The pain will go away on its own
It's true that some types of neck pain get better over time without treatment, but many others don't improve on their own at all or take weeks or months to do so. If you've had neck pain for more than three weeks, there is something more serious going on than the pain. See a pain specialist right away if this happens to find out what treatment options might be best for you.
8. Neck pain can only be fixed with strong medication
Many people assume that if they have neck pain, they must take a pill to get rid of it. There are many over-the-counter medications that can help relieve some of the symptoms of neck pain, but these medications do not fix the problem itself.
If you have been taking these medications for more than a few weeks without seeing any improvement, it is time to visit a our pain management center in New York to diagnose and treat your pain properly. Hence, there are many other ways to alleviate or can even eliminate neck pain without medication.
9. Once you have it, you have to live with it
Some say that it doesn't matter what you do; your neck will always hurt. It is simply not true. If you have neck pain and do nothing about it, it will likely worsen over time. However, if you treat your neck pain early, you can often avoid having more serious symptoms later on.
10. You can't do anything about it
Many believe that neck pain is just part of getting older. Yes, it is true that as we age, our bodies change, and sometimes those changes cause more problems than before. But that doesn't mean you have to resign yourself to a lifetime of painful joints and muscles.
There are a lot of options you can do to help prevent neck pain and keep your neck healthy. But it's important to understand that there are different types of neck pain, and some will respond better than others to certain treatments. The key is finding out what kind of neck pain you have and then treating it accordingly.
New York Pain Management For Your Specific Needs
Neck pain is one of the most common complex conditions that can affect anyone at any age. It can be acute or chronic, and it can be mild or severe. Most people have experienced some form of pain at some point in their lives, but most only have to deal with it for a short time. Some people, however, have to live with pain every day. Whether it's caused by an injury or illness, pain can be debilitating and affect everything from your mood to your ability to work and play.
While the causes and symptoms may vary, it's essential to know what techniques are the right treatment for your specific conditions.
It's important to get help from trusted healthcare professionals rather than enduring the pain by believing in myths and misconceptions. Seek treatment as soon as possible, as this will help reduce your symptoms and keep them from getting worse. Our specialists at All Of Pain New York Pain Management center can help diagnose your neck pain and determine the best treatment for you to help alleviate your pain in a multidisciplinary approach.