You have only seven small vertebrae in your neck that must support the weight of your head while allowing the full range of motion — a combination that makes your neck susceptible to injuries and degenerative diseases.

The most common causes of neck pain include:

• Sprains and strains
• Whiplash
• Herniated disc
• Cervical disc degeneration
• Osteoarthritis
• Pinched nerve (radiculopathy)
• Narrowed spinal canal (spinal stenosis)

If you spend a lot of time bending your neck to look at a computer monitor, smartphone, or other digital device, you’re likely to develop neck strain commonly called tech neck.

Neck pain typically makes it hard to turn or move your head. You could also develop headaches and muscle spasms.

If your neck pain is due to a pinched nerve, the pain may travel down your arms. A pinched nerve can also cause tingling, numbness, and muscle weakness in your arms and hands.

Depending on the underlying cause of your neck pain, you may have to rest or immobilize your neck and engage in physical therapy to strengthen the muscles.

When your neck pain is severe, or it persists despite conservative therapy, you can get effective pain relief from targeted treatments administered by Dr. Slavin, such as:

EPIDURAL STEROID INJECTION

This injection contains an anesthetic to immediately relieve pain and corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and provide longer-lasting pain relief.

Dr. Slavin specifically targets the nerves causing your pain. Using a special type of X-ray called fluoroscopy, he can see the area and guide the needle to the epidural space surrounding the nerves.

FACET JOINT INJECTION

This procedure is similar to an epidural injection except the target is an inflamed and painful facet joint in your spine.



CERVICAL FACET RADIOFREQUENCY NEUROTOMY

Radiofrequency neurotomy uses heat from radio waves to block nerve signals. When the nerve can’t send a pain signal to your brain, you stop feeling pain.

During a radiofrequency neurotomy, Dr. Slavin uses fluoroscopy to guide a narrow cannula to the nerves responsible for carrying pain messages to your brain. When the cannula is in the proper position, radio waves are emitted that disrupt the nerve.

Dr. Slavin performs pain-relieving treatments in the office. You’ll be monitored for a short time following your procedure, then you can go home and look forward to a quick recovery.

If you suffer from neck pain, call Rio Grande Pain Team or book an appointment online.