Chronic neck pain can completely disrupt your life, making it difficult to sit comfortably, take part in your favorite activities or get a good night’s sleep. The good news is that a neck pain specialist in Chicago can provide customized treatment that fits for your lifestyle. Learn more about how MAPS Centers for Pain Control helps Chicago patients break free from neck pain.
What Causes Recurring Neck Pain in Chicago Patients?
The Windy City is jam-packed with museums, parks and other attractions, making it a great place for anyone who enjoys an active, urban lifestyle. However, intense activity can lead to chronic neck pain.
Chicago is also home to many office buildings. If you work in one of them, poor posture while typing, filing and performing other common tasks can lead to chronic neck and back pain. Sedentary work habits also increase the risk for pain. Your body was made to move around, so sitting at your desk all day can cause your muscles and joints to stiffen up. Sitting increases the pressure on your joints, which can make pain even worse.
You may also experience chronic neck pain under the following conditions:
- You have a previous neck injury.
- You have arthritis or another joint problem.
- You have a history of degenerative disk disease.
- You sleep in a position that causes you to extend your neck for long periods.
How the Weather and Environment in Chicago Can Affect Your Neck Pain
Despite the cool breezes coming from Lake Michigan, Chicago gets hot and humid during the summer. Heat and humidity can both cause joint pain, swelling and stiffness. If you don’t drink enough water, there’s also a chance that you’ll get dehydrated, leaving you without enough fluid to lubricate your joints.
When it’s hot outside, it’s also common for Chicago residents to head to Montrose Beach or North Avenue Beach. If you pull a muscle in your neck while swimming or walking around, you might develop chronic neck pain. This is especially true if you already have a musculoskeletal condition. Even minor muscle strains can make your neck pain more severe or more persistent.
When Should You See a Neck Pain Specialist in Chicago?
Self-care measures can help with chronic neck pain, but some people need professional care to heal properly. Schedule a consultation if your neck pain lasts for more than several weeks, radiates down your arms or legs, limits your range of motion or prevents you from sleeping comfortably.
It’s also important to seek professional neck pain treatment if your neck pain is accompanied by weakness, headaches, numbness or tingling. MAPS Centers for Pain Control offers nonsurgical neck pain treatment to relieve discomfort and help you return to your normal activities.
What Are the Most Effective Long-Term Treatments for Chronic Neck Pain
Nerve blocks, spinal injections and interventional pain management techniques can all help you achieve lasting relief from chronic neck pain. Nerve blocks provide pain relief by blocking pain signals in the affected area. Spinal injections use steroids and other medications to reduce inflammation, relieving discomfort.
Interventional pain management techniques relieve pain without the use of surgery, eliminating the need to stay in a hospital or spend weeks recovering. MAPS uses several nonsurgical techniques, including radiofrequency ablation, disk decompression and vertebroplasty.
What Lifestyle Changes Can Help You Manage Neck Pain Daily
If chronic neck pain has been interfering with your life, there are a few things you can do to relieve your discomfort:
- Make ergonomic changes. If your neck pain is the result of working at a desk all day, a few simple changes can make a big difference. Put your computer monitor directly in front of you instead of setting it on a shelf that’s way above or below your sightline. If necessary, invest in an adjustable office chair.
- Stretch regularly. A lack of physical activity can cause the joints in your neck to stiffen, reducing your range of motion. To avoid these problems, stretch regularly. If you have a sedentary job, get up and walk around your desk every 20 to 30 minutes.
- Maintain appropriate sleep posture. If you sleep on your side, avoid craning your neck outward or upward. Consider getting a pillow designed for side sleepers to reduce stress on your neck.
- Relieve stress. Tension can cause neck and back pain, so it’s also helpful to relieve stress. Consider meditating, getting regular massages or using aromatherapy to reduce stress and reduce your pain.
How MAPS Centers in Chicago Help Break the Cycle of Neck Pain
MAPS Centers for Pain Control offers a personalized, integrated approach to neck pain treatment. We combine diagnostics with targeted treatment plans and rehabilitation services designed to prevent your pain from returning. Book a consultation today to find out how we can help you live more comfortably.
