Over thirty percent of the US experiences neck pain each year, with residual chronic neck pain being common. Over half of patients who experience neck pain will end up with residual issues years later.

Numerous research studies have evaluated neck surgery done for chronic neck pain. Without a radicular component present (pinched nerve arm pain) or neck instability, surgery leads to less than successful results.

There are quite a few neck areas which can lead to chronic neck pain. Arthritis in cervical facet joints, or muscle, ligament, or fascia injury may lead to neck pain or problematic headaches.

In the accurate diagnosis of neck facet disease, strong research exists backing up diagnostic injections into the facets. The initial diagnosis is usually made from a combination of history, physical exam, and imaging studies such as plain x-rays and an MRI with potentially a phoenix chiropractors. Usually once the initial diagnosis has been established of cervical facet syndrome, the next treatment involves the diagnostic injection which is actually therapeutic too.

With the diagnostic injection into the cervical facet joints, the magic number for percent pain relief is 80% reduction. This includes the patient being able to perform multiple maneuvers which were painful prior to diagnostic facet joint blocks. At that point, assuming the 80% pain relief is achieved, then insurance companies typically approve additional treatments such as medial branch blocks or intra-articular cervical facet injections.

Significant debate exists over whether or not neck medial branch blocks only need numbing medicine or if cortisone should be included in the injection performed. Studies looking at medial branch blocks with numbing medicine with or without cortisone have shown that both work well, with each injection providing on average about 5 months relief, usually over fifty percent on average.

It can be repeated when the pain relief dissipates, and excellent relief can be expected with another medial branch block at an Arizona Pain Clinic. If longer pain relief is desired, the pain doctor may consider doing a radiofrequency ablation, also termed a radiofrequency neurotomy.

A radiofrequency neurotomy deadens the tiny nerve endings that are identical to the ones treated with the medial branch blocks. The RF procedure may give a person a year and a half of pain relief and if the pain recurs it can be repeated.

While it’s unfortunate that so many patients in the US suffer from chronic neck pain, it’s nice to know that treatments exist to provide pain relief. And even better, these treatments are nonsurgical, outpatient, and cost considerably less than a surgical procedure.