Day: August 1, 2022

Chronic pain is typical among many people, and most of them ignore it or mask it with pain relievers. The pain can affect anyone and result from a variety of causes. Each cause is unique in that it may determine whether treatment or management is possible. This pain can affect different body parts, with a typical one the Dallas neck pain. Neck pain and how it can be dealt with are discussed further below.

What is Neck pain?

The neck includes vertebrae that run from the upper torso to your skull. Cervical discs absorb shock between the bones. Movement in your neck and head support is enhanced by the muscles, bones, and ligaments. Neck pain or stiffness may arise from inflammation, abnormalities, or injury cases.

Cases of mild neck stiffness or pain are typical among most people. This is usually due to overuse, poor posture, or awkward sleeping positions. However, you may require to see a physician if this neck pain has arisen from a severe ailment or injury. Medical attention may also be necessary if the neck pain lasts for more than a week or is severe.

Symptoms of neck pain can vary in duration and severity. It is often acute lasting for several days. In other cases, it may be chronic interfering with your daily activities or result in disability. Common examples of these symptoms include:

• A stabbing or sharp pain that focuses on one area
• A sensation of stiffness or your neck being stuck due to the reduced range of movement
• The pain may radiate to your shoulders, trunk, head, or arms. Numbness, weakness, or tingling in your hands or arms may also be felt if compressed nerves cause the pain. A pinched nerve may cause symptoms of sharp or burning pain from your neck down across the arm.
• Twisting, moving, or extending the cervical spine up and down or side to side may exacerbate the pain
• Physical examination of your cervical spine can increase neck pain
• A cervicogenic headache can come about if the pain begins in your neck. This can be a symptom of a migraine headache.

Neck pain or stiffness can result from multiple reasons, including:

• Injury
• Muscle strain and tension
• Meningitis
• Heart attack
• Other ailments like osteoporosis and fibromyalgia

Treatment of neck pain depends on what the cause is. Some typical treatment options include:

• Stretching, exercise, and physical therapy
• Heat and ice therapy
• Corticosteroid injections
• Pain medications
• Neck collar
• Muscle relaxants
• Antibiotics in cases of infection
• Traction
• Hospital treatment of the underlying condition causing it
• Surgery on rare occasions

Alternative therapies used include:

• Chiropractic treatment
• Acupuncture
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
• Massage
• Spinal cord stimulation hides pain signals before they get to the brain through the use of a spinal cord stimulator device surgically placed under the skin

Most neck pain cases are due to poor lifestyle habits like muscle strain and poor postures. Improving on these aspects typically eliminates the issue, but medical intervention may be necessary if ineffective. For any neck pain inquiries, check out our website, or call our offices in Dallas, TX.

Your heel is connected to the foot front by a web-like ligament known as the plantar fascia. It acts as a shock absorber and supports your foot arch, helping you walk. Plantar fasciitis happens when your plantar fascia is irritated or inflamed due to stress or over-tightening. It is the most common cause of heel pain. Plantar fasciitis Mill Creek can result from abnormal foot structure, flat feet, high arches, and walking on hard surfaces. Being obese and spending long hours on your feet can also cause this condition. Plantar fasciitis can become severe, affecting your motion, but there are various treatment options available, and here are some.

Medications

Over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen can help reduce swelling and ease the pain.  

Injections

If medications do not ease your pain, your doctor can inject corticosteroid directly into the affected ligament. Avoid repetitive injections as they can weaken or rupture your plantar fascia. Platelet-rich plasma taken from your blood can be injected into the affected part to stimulate tissue healing.

Physical therapy

Physical therapy is an essential treatment for plantar fasciitis. It helps to stretch your plantar fascia and Achilles tendons. Your physician will show you the correct exercises to strengthen your lower leg muscles, stabilize your walk, and reduce the workload on your plantar fascia.

Shock wave therapy

Your doctor can recommend wave therapy if your pain does not disappear after other treatments. The treatment involves directing sound waves to your heel to stimulate healing within the ligament. After the treatment, you can get side effects like bruises, swelling, pain, and numbness, but they will vanish within a few days.

Stretching exercises

You can do gentle stretches to help relieve and prevent plantar fasciitis. Stretching the calves and plantar fascia helps loosen the muscles and minimize heel pain. Avoid vigorous exercises like running to give your plantar fascia period to heal. Engage in low-impact activities like swimming which cannot worsen your heel pain. Your doctor can recommend the stretches best for your plantar fasciitis.

Surgery

You will need surgery if other treatment options have not worked and your pain is severe or lasts more than six months. There are two surgeries that your surgeon can use, and they include:

Gastrocnemius recession

Your physician can recommend gastrocnemius recession if you have difficulties flexing your feet. The surgery focuses on lengthening your calf muscle to improve ankle motion and foot flexibility and relieve stress on the plantar fascia. Tight calf muscle can add pressure on your plantar fascia. Studies show that this surgery improves foot functions and minimizes pain in chronic plantar fasciitis.

Plantar fascia release

This procedure involves your surgeon cutting part of your plantar fascia ligament to help relieve tension resulting in reduced inflammation. Plantar fascia release can involve minor cuts to your ligament or detaching your plantar fascia from the heel bone. Your surgeon can do the surgery endoscopically or through open surgery. Plantar fascia release reduces tension, but it can also weaken the foot arch leading to loss of full function.

Treatment for plantar fasciitis helps to ease pain and improve your movement. Schedule an appointment at Hansen Foot & Ankle for plantar fasciitis treatment to resume your regular walking.