Chronic Neck Pain That Won’t Go Away? Interventional Pain Treatments That Can Help

Neck pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal problems, affecting about 30% of adults in any given year. While most cases improve with rest, improved posture, and over-the-counter pain medication, for some people, symptoms persist for three months or longer. 

When this happens, neck pain is considered chronic. That diagnosis may sound scary, but the good news is that interventional pain management can often identify the source and provide ongoing relief through targeted therapies.

Board-certified pain management physician Marcie Merson, MD, at Palm Beach Pain Institute in Delray Beach, Florida, specializes in treating chronic neck pain. Here, she explains how interventional pain management works and highlights three common therapies she uses to ease symptoms and improve quality of life. 

What is interventional pain management?

Interventional pain management is a medical subspecialty that focuses on identifying and treating the cause of chronic pain. Rather than simply masking discomfort with medications, it identifies the root cause of your symptoms and addresses that instead.

Interventional pain management is nonsurgical, utilizing therapies that include non-invasive or minimally invasive techniques. As a result, people often report less pain and improved treatment outcomes compared to medication or surgery alone.

Three common interventional treatments for chronic neck pain

Dr. Merson uses several therapies to manage chronic neck pain. Depending on the source and severity of your symptoms, she may suggest:

1. Osteopathic manual therapy

Osteopathic manual therapy (OMT) utilizes hands-on techniques to enhance neck mobility, ease pain, and reduce muscle tension, including soft-tissue mobilization and myofascial release.

It’s similar to massage or chiropractic care; rather than focusing on relaxation or spinal alignment, it aims to address the underlying causes of neck pain, including tight or weak muscles and joint misalignments.

As a trained OMT practitioner, Dr. Merson can target your specific symptoms, making it easier to move comfortably.

2. Pain management injections

Sometimes, underlying musculoskeletal issues, such as herniated discs or arthritis, cause chronic neck pain. While some people choose surgery, minimally invasive joint injections can provide pain relief and improved function without a lengthy recovery.

Some of the most common pain management injections include:

• Cervical epidural steroid injections
• Facet joint injections
• Medial branch blocks
• Botox injections for muscle spasm-related neck pain

If we determine that you can benefit from this approach, Dr. Merson uses imaging guidance, such as fluoroscopy, to precisely target problem areas and ensure lasting results. 

3. Medication management

Sometimes, chronic neck pain doesn’t improve with OMT or injections alone. For example, if two underlying issues, such as arthritis and a pinched nerve, are responsible, you may need a prescription anti-inflammatory medication as well as a nerve stabilizer, like gabapentin. 

Using multiple prescription drugs together increases the risk of side effects, so professional oversight is essential. That’s where medication management comes in. It involves regular monitoring of your symptoms and medications to lower the risk of harmful interactions.

We can help manage your chronic neck pain

Chronic neck pain can make daily activities, like driving or sitting at a computer, excruciating. If you’re tired of managing it on your own, interventional pain management can help. Schedule an appointment today to explore potential treatment options. Book online or call our office at 561-499-7020.