Lifestyle Modifications and Treatment Options for Chronic Neck Pain

Typically the result of strain from overuse, injury, or degenerative diseases such as osteoarthritis, chronic neck pain symptoms range from mild discomfort to debilitating pain. 

Certain daily habits can put strain on the muscles and vertebrae in your neck, aggravating the condition.

Dr. Dmitriy Buyanov, MD, and our team at Premier Pain Consultants in San Antonio, Texas, specialize in innovative treatment options for chronic neck pain. As well as medical care, you may be able to find relief by making changes in your daily life.  

Lifestyle changes to ease chronic neck pain

If you struggle with chronic neck pain, consider integrating some of these lifestyle modifications into your routine. 

Address your posture

Unbalanced posture is one of the most common causes of neck pain in adults, especially for those who work in an office setting. If you spend most of your day in a seated position, reset your posture throughout the day to avoid developing neck pain or making existing pain worse. 

When using your smartphone or laptop, keep it at eye level and allow your head to remain in a neutral, forward-facing position. Tilting your head strains your neck and upper back muscles. 

Daily stretches and exercise

While it can be challenging to stay active when you deal with chronic pain, low-impact exercise and stretching can help you reduce your neck pain. Daily stretches that focus on muscles in your chest, shoulders, and upper back improve your posture and increase the strength and flexibility of your neck. 

Take short breaks throughout your day to stretch your neck and shoulders, especially while performing repetitive tasks. Low-impact cardio exercise, such as walking, biking, or swimming, increases blood flow to all areas of your body, including your spine. 

Get a good night’s sleep

Restful sleep is vital to maintain overall health. Your body uses the downtime to repair cells and tissue and restore your energy levels. For patients with chronic neck pain, maintaining a comfortable position while sleeping can reduce stiffness and discomfort in the morning.

If you normally sleep on your stomach, try switching to a back or side sleep position to reduce the strain on your neck. A supportive pillow and mattress can also help you to stay comfortable through the night and wake with less pain.

Treatment options for chronic neck pain

When chronic neck pain has an underlying cause, such as an injury or a condition like spinal stenosis or osteoarthritis, more in-depth treatments may be required to fully address your pain. 

At Premier Pain Consultants, Dr. Buyanov performs a comprehensive exam to diagnose the root cause of your neck pain before developing your customized treatment plan. 

In most cases, we begin with less invasive methods, such as anti-inflammatory medications or physical therapy. If these don’t provide sufficient relief, we offer interventional pain treatments, including spinal cord stimulation and radiofrequency ablation.

Dr. Buyanov and our team specialize in cutting-edge pain management technology. When chronic neck pain affects your quality of life, call or click to book an appointment with us at Premier Pain Consultants today.