My Neck Pain Persists After 6 Months of Physical Therapy

Do you have pain that stems from your neck and into your arms, or stiffness that restricts your range of motion? Have you been told that you have "radiculopathy", "disc bulge/herniation", or "spondylolithesis"? Anywhere from 16-75% of the population experiences these musculoskeletal conditions [1]. It is estimated that up to 80% of the US population will experience these pains at some point in their lives. The recommended treatment accrues approximately $50 billion in US healthcare costs each year.[2]

​Many of us expect guidance from the local orthopedist; with advice from a trusted source, it is advised to pursue a course of physical therapy. Acute pain is a complex process involving activation of: nociceptors, chemical mediators, and inflammation. Both prescribed and over-the-counter medications can target elements within the pain pathway to eliminate or reduce the sensation of symptoms. Pain management begins, when possible, prior to the tissue trauma until acute pain is appropriately managed. Clinical outcomes and satisfaction most likely will be improved.

---

No one single treatment will intervene to treat each factor; rather, a combination of modalities should be utilized to reduce pain perception. For those that suffer from neck symptoms, it is beneficial to establish: reasonable goals, cost-effectiveness of the recommended treatment plan, future transition to an unsupervised program, and awareness of potential barriers of treatment/alternative conservative plans, or possible referral. It can be frustrating, and prohibitive ,when you're given an extensive treatment plan when there is still significant persistent symptoms. 

​Even medication or physical modalities are "palliative care", and symptoms can be expected to persist if the underlying cause goes untreated. Research shows that cervical traction in conjunction of transcutaneous electrical stimulation demonstrates both analgesic efficacy with improved global mobility/pain levels with cervical disorders. [1]

---

If you or someone you know suffers from debilitating neck pain, call or text (203) 842-8631 to receive the best evidence based treatments that effectively treat and prevent these pesky symptoms.  

Information provided by PubMed®
A service of the National Library of Medicine, PubMed® contains publication information and (in most cases) brief summaries of articles from scientific and medical journals. For guidance from NCCIH on using PubMed, see How To Find Information About Complementary Health Approaches on PubMed.
Website: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed

1. Med Sci Monit. 2017; 23: 335–342.
The Effectiveness of Cervical Spondylosis Therapy with Saunders Traction Device and High-Intensity Laser Therapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2. Journal ListMo Medv.110(1); Jan-Feb 2013PMC6179627
A Review of Management of Acute Pain
Quinn Johnson, MD