Neck Pain Specialist
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Island Interventional Pain Management
Rajmani Krishnan, MD
Interventional Pain Management & Regenerative Medicine Specialist located in Commack, NY
Neck pain is a problem many people put up with, but the sooner you seek expert treatment, the less likely it is to become a chronic problem. Rajmani Krishnan, MD, of Island Interventional Pain Management in Commack, New York, is a highly skilled pain specialist who offers a range of conservative therapies and nonsurgical interventions to address the causes of neck pain. To find out how Dr. Krishnan, can help with your painful neck condition, call Island Interventional Pain Management or book an appointment online today.
Neck Pain Q & A
What causes neck pain?
Neck pain is often due to problems like muscle tension from stress or straining your neck by sleeping in an awkward position. Persistent or severe neck pain may be due to conditions like:
- Herniated discs
- Degenerative disc disease
- Spinal stenosis
- Whiplash injuries
- Arthritis
- Bone spurs
- Osteoporosis
- Fibromyalgia
It's common with neck pain to experience additional symptoms such as tingling or prickling, numbness, and sometimes loss of function extending into your arms. This is due to cervical radiculopathy — nerve compression in the neck. You might also get headaches.
What should I do if I have neck pain?
Neck pain often clears up in a few days if it's just due to a muscle strain. Avoiding activities that make the pain worse and using oral or topical over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications should help.
If your neck pain is severe, affects your ability to move your head, or doesn't get better quickly, you should visit Island Interventional Pain Management so Dr. Krishnan can assess the problem.
He examines your neck and, where necessary, looks at the results of diagnostic imaging tests like X-rays, a CT scan, or MRI to confirm the diagnosis and evaluate the damaged tissues.
What treatments can help with neck pain?
Initially, treating neck pain typically involves physical therapy, applications of ice and heat, activity modification, and medications like muscle relaxants. A soft neck collar might be useful to protect your neck for a few days while it starts to heal.
If these conservative measures don't relieve your neck pain, Dr. Krishnan offers a range of innovative treatments that include:
Epidural steroid injections
Steroids are excellent anti-inflammatory drugs that can offer long-lasting relief from neck pain.
Dr. Krishnan uses image guidance technology like fluoroscopy (moving X-rays) to deliver the steroid medication into the epidural space surrounding your spinal cord. Epidural steroid injections often contain a local anesthetic as well for fast but short-acting pain relief.
Facet joint injections
Facet joint injections also contain steroid medication and an anesthetic. However, instead of injecting the drugs into your epidural space, Dr. Krishnan delivers them to the small facet joints that link your vertebrae.
Nerve blocks
Nerve blocks are injections that target specific nerves, numbing the pain for a short time. They also can help isolate the root of your neck pain when it's not clear from diagnostic imaging.
Spinal cord stimulation
Spinal cord stimulation uses electrical energy to interfere with the pain signals going from your neck to your brain. Instead of feeling pain, you get a tingling sensation or, with new high-frequency stimulators, no sensations at all.
Pain pump implantation
If nothing else is easing your back pain, Dr. Krishnan can implant a pain pump that contains strong painkilling medication. The implantable pump delivers the drug at regular intervals, avoiding the breakthrough pain that can occur when taking oral medication.
If neck pain is making life difficult, don't put up with it any longer. Call Island Interventional Pain Management today or book an appointment online.
