Chronic pain can significantly impact your overall quality of life. It is more than just discomfort; it can make even the simplest daily tasks seem impossible. Chronic pain in the spine often limits mobility and negatively affects sleep, mood, and productivity. For individuals dealing with such pain, finding expert spine doctors to help is crucial.
Spine doctors, like Dr. Bradley D. Ahlgren at Ahlgren Spine Orthopaedic Surgery, specialize in diagnosing and treating conditions that cause chronic neck and back pain. With their expertise and advanced diagnostic tools, they help patients regain comfort and mobility.
Here, we will explore how spine doctors address chronic neck pain, from understanding its causes to exploring treatment options.
The Anatomy and Function of the Spine
The spine is a complex structure made up of vertebrae, tendons, ligaments, muscles, nerves, discs, and the spinal cord. These components work together to support your head and body and allow a wide range of movements, such as:
- Sitting
- Standing
- Walking
- Twisting
- Bending
Unfortunately, the spine is vulnerable to various conditions that can disrupt its balance and function and lead to chronic pain in the neck or back.
Understanding Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is defined as pain that lasts for more than three months. Unlike acute pain, which typically lasts less than six weeks and resolves with proper healing, chronic pain often requires professional assessment and treatment. Living with chronic pain can be challenging, both physically and emotionally.
It is estimated that up to 80% of Americans experience back pain at some point during their life, with 8.2% of adults living with chronic, severe back pain.
What Causes Chronic Neck Pain?
The neck, also known as the cervical spine, is the top part of the spine. The cervical spine makes an inward C-shape and the neck bones (vertebrae) allow you to tilt, turn, and nod your head. Like back pain, neck pain is also common, affecting 10-20% of adults. It can be caused by various factors from poor posture or an injury to age-related conditions like spinal stenosis, which occurs when the space around the spinal cord becomes too narrow. Severe neck pain can have a major effect on your ability to function.
Chronic neck pain can be a symptom of many different injuries and medical conditions, including:
- Herniated discs or degenerative disc disease, which affect the cushioning between vertebrae.
- Pinched nerves, caused by pressure from surrounding tissues.
- Sports injuries and whiplash, which strain muscles or ligaments.
- Arthritis, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, which can wear down joints.
- Growths, such as bone spurs, cysts, or other outgrowths that irritate and put pressure on nerves.
Why You Should Seek Professional Help for Chronic Neck Pain
Ignoring ongoing neck or back pain can worsen the underlying issue. If left untreated, the discomfort might spread to other areas, such as your shoulders, arms, or legs. It may also result in other symptoms, such as headaches, numbness, or reduced mobility. Seeking help from spine specialists ensures accurate diagnosis and effective treatment to alleviate pain and prevent complications.
Exploring Ahlgren Spine Orthopedic Surgery
Ahlgren Spine Orthopaedic Surgery is committed to providing the best care for spinal conditions that impact the neck and back. With clinic locations in Rochester Hills, Bad Axe, and Royal Oak, Michigan, we offer patients both non-surgical and surgical treatment options tailored to their individual needs.
Dedicated Expertise in Spinal Care
Dr. Bradley D. Ahlgren, a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon, brings over 25 years of expertise to his practice. He and his skilled team utilize state-of-the-art technology to improve their patients’ quality of life by relieving pain and restoring mobility. At Ahlgren Spine, the focus is not just on treating symptoms but on identifying and addressing the root cause of pain for long-lasting relief.
Diagnosing Chronic Neck Pain
When you visit Ahlgren Spine, the diagnostic process begins with a thorough evaluation. Dr. Ahlgren and his team review your medical history and discuss your symptoms in detail. They perform physical exams to assess your range of motion, reflexes, and nerve responses to pinpoint the source of pain.
Advanced imaging tools are often used to confirm the diagnosis and guide treatment planning. These tools include:
- X-rays to identify fractures or structural issues
- MRI scans to evaluate injuries to discs and soft tissues
- Nerve tests like electromyography (EMG) to detect nerve damage
This comprehensive approach ensures a precise diagnosis, so treatment can be both effective and safe.
Effective Treatments for Chronic Neck Pain
For many patients, back and neck pain can be effectively managed without surgery. Ahlgren Spine offers several non-surgical solutions, including:
- Physical therapy
- Pain management techniques
- Medications and corticosteroid injections
Non-surgical options allow patients to recover faster with minimal disruption to their daily lives.
For severe or persistent cases, surgical intervention may be necessary. Dr. Ahlgren specializes in a range of advanced spinal surgeries, including:
- Minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS), which utilizes specialized surgical tools and very small incisions for reduced recovery time and less post-operative pain.
- Cervical disc replacement to restore mobility by replacing damaged discs with artificial ones.
- Spinal fusion surgery to stabilize the spine where structural issues are causing pain.
- Decompression procedures to reduce pressure on the spinal nerves caused by conditions like sciatica and herniated discs.
Each treatment plan is highly personalized, based on the patient’s condition, goals, and lifestyle.
Patient Stories of Relief
Many patients at Ahlgren Spine have experienced life-changing outcomes. One patient, Aggie N., shared her story:
“I suffered with back pain for over 10 years. Walked bent over. Dr. Ahlgren took MRIs and scheduled surgery—18 screws in spine and rods and screws in pelvis. After one week, I had no pain. I could walk without pain. Still no pain three months later. He is pleasant and cares for his patients. I cannot ask for a better doctor.”
Spine Doctors Near Me in Michigan
If you are looking for expert help for chronic neck pain, schedule a consultation with Dr. Bradley D. Ahlgren and his team at Ahlgren Spine Orthopedic Surgery. We offer tailored treatments designed to meet each patient’s unique needs.
Call (248) 215-8080, or use our convenient online form to book an appointment. Do not wait, get the relief you need and take control of your life today.
Sources:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/10040-spine-structure-and-function
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/21179-neck-pain
