chronic Headache

We don’t realize how heavily we rely on our necks for everyday movements until we experience neck pain and immobility. Suddenly, even the smallest tasks such as reaching a high shelf or turning your head to check for oncoming traffic can seem excruciating.

For many people, acute neck pain in the cervical region of the spine will go away on its own with rest, physical therapy, and medication. However, chronic neck pain due to conditions like a pinched nerve, whiplash, or fibromyalgia may require a more targeted therapy such as nerve block treatment.

A nerve block treatment for neck pain may help to relieve:

Stiffness and reduced range of motion in the neck
Chronic headaches
Tingling in the shoulders and arms
Weakness in the upper extremities
Muscle spasms in the neck

How a Nerve Block in the Neck Works

A cervical nerve block may be used for both diagnostic and treatment purposes. A nerve block is performed by injecting a local anesthetic around a group of sympathetic nerves in the neck. The injection is guided by the use of a special X-ray called a fluoroscope to ensure accuracy and precision. The solution that is injected is usually a combination of an anesthetic and an anti-inflammatory steroid.

If the nerve block successfully eliminates or diminishes pain, your doctor may recommend repeating the nerve block injection about every other week. Local anesthetic and a calming sedative are usually all that is required for a nerve block in the neck. General anesthesia is not necessary and you can return home shortly after the procedure.

Neck Pain Treatment in Florida and Texas

Living with neck pain can affect everything you do, from working to exercising, to socializing. At Physician Partners of America, we know that it can feel as if your life has been put on hold when you’re struggling with neck pain and nothing is more frustrating than trying treatment after treatment without success.

We offer a comprehensive range of minimally invasive pain relief therapies including cervical sympathetic nerve blocks for patients in Florida and the Dallas-Fort Worth area. This type of targeted pain relief therapy has helped many patients get their lives back and may prevent the need for an invasive neck surgery. Our expert team of pain management doctors and medical professionals has extensive experience performing cervical nerve blocks.

Find out if a nerve block for neck pain is the right treatment option for you by scheduling an appointment at one of our pain relief clinics. We offer convenient locations throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area, including Euless, Grapevine, Hurst, and Irving.

Are You Suffering From Chronic Headaches?

Chronic Headaches — This isn’t an article about your typical, run-of-the-mill headache. Take a couple aspirins and you’ll be fine after about thirty minutes. We’re here to discuss chronic daily headaches that are debilitating and stop you in your tracks. These types of headaches, often grouped together with migraines, can severely limit your ability to have a happy, normal life.

As we said, this isn’t the type of condition that a couple OTC pain relievers are going to fix. More involved, but still minimally invasive (if really “invasive” at all) measures are required to manage the pain and get your life back. While more effective prescription medications such as NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) can help with the pain – as well as anti-depressants to counter the emotional stress experienced that actually makes the pain worse – an exciting new way of treating pain directly is offered by Florida Pain Relief Group.

Botox injections are not just for anti-aging anymore. Direct injections of Botox into the affected nerve can stop the pain signals and provide lasting relief. This method has proven very successful in pain management, as well as, not allowing for a potential drug dependency to form.

Risk Factors for Chronic Headaches

Out of the gate, you want to say stress is a major factor, don’t you? While you wouldn’t be wrong because stress is a major component, or agitator, of most illnesses, there are other factors that seriously put someone at risk for chronic headaches.

Three Major Risk Factors for Chronic Headaches

Genetics. If there is a genetic predisposition for chronic headaches or migraines, such as one of your parents suffers with them, you run a higher risk of getting them as well.

Age. As we age, our bodies and body chemistry are altered by time and external circumstances, in addition to effects during certain physical stages in our lives. If they are going to be an issue in the future, people experience their first chronic headache or a migraine during adolescence.

Gender. Women get chronic headaches and migraines three times as much as men. If a woman suffers from chronic headaches, she may notice that the headaches begin just before or shortly after menstruation.

Chronic Headache Pain Relief in Tampa

Don’t suffer with your chronic headaches alone when a Florida Pain Relief Group clinic is so close to home. Our pain experts are right here in Tampa and ready to help manage your pain today. Contact us now!