“What is the best treatment for neck and shoulder pain?”
I am a 28 year old male and I have neck and shoulder pain. What is the best treatment for neck and shoulder pain?
1 Answer
The first question that needs to be asked is: are your symptoms a cervical spine issue or are they a shoulder issue? The reason this is important is because the treatment for the two problems is obviously very different.
The diagnostic work-up usually consists in a history and physical examination, followed, if appropriate, by radiological studies. Depending on several variables, the radiological study of choice is usually a magnetic resonance imaging study (MRI).
After analysis of the MRI, some diagnostic testing may be pursued, consisting in diagnostic anesthetic blocks directed at the cervical spine or the shoulder.
Once a diagnosis is made, again depending on the severity, chronicity, and existing evidence, as well as the experience and technical proficiency of the physician, there may be several options of treatment, ranging from physical therapy and chiropractic care, spinal or shoulder injections of steroids, nerve ablation procedures, or regenerative procedures employing platelet-rich plasma, stem cells, etc.
The diagnostic work-up usually consists in a history and physical examination, followed, if appropriate, by radiological studies. Depending on several variables, the radiological study of choice is usually a magnetic resonance imaging study (MRI).
After analysis of the MRI, some diagnostic testing may be pursued, consisting in diagnostic anesthetic blocks directed at the cervical spine or the shoulder.
Once a diagnosis is made, again depending on the severity, chronicity, and existing evidence, as well as the experience and technical proficiency of the physician, there may be several options of treatment, ranging from physical therapy and chiropractic care, spinal or shoulder injections of steroids, nerve ablation procedures, or regenerative procedures employing platelet-rich plasma, stem cells, etc.
