Chronic Neck Pain: 5 Non-Surgical Treatment Options That Can Help

Neck pain is a common musculoskeletal problem that affects people of all ages. Although it often improves with rest and activity changes, sometimes, neck pain lasts for weeks or even months. 

At Palm Beach Pain Institute in Delray Beach, Florida, board-certified pain management physician Marcie Merson, MD, and our team specialize in managing chronic neck pain. This blog explores why chronic neck pain occurs and provides five simple tips to prevent it from worsening.

When is neck pain considered chronic?

When neck pain lasts for three months or longer, it’s chronic. Symptoms vary from person to person, but telltale signs include aching and stiffness, difficulty turning your head from side to side, and pain during specific movements, such as looking up and down.

Most neck pain improves with rest, over-the-counter medication, and activity changes, but if your symptoms continue or worsen, seek treatment immediately. The condition may progress and interfere with your body’s healing process without intervention.

Five Non-surgical treatment options for chronic neck pain

Fortunately, chronic neck pain rarely requires surgery. Here’s a closer look at five conservative treatments that may provide lasting relief.

1. Hot and cold therapy

Often, an underlying problem with the cervical spine causes chronic neck pain, such as herniated discs, trigger points (tight muscle knots), and arthritis. Hot and cold therapy uses medical devices like heating pads and ice packs to manage pain and inflammation. 

Ice reduces inflammation and eases pain, while heat improves circulation, increasing the amount of oxygen and nutrient-rich blood that reaches your neck and surrounding tissues. 

Science backs this treatment up. A study published in Academic Emergency Medicine concluded that hot and cold therapy for 30 minutes daily helped relieve neck and back pain significantly.

2. Improved posture

Many people rely on technologies such as smartphones and tablets for work and play, but using these devices often involves looking downward or hunching your neck. This poor posture might not seem like a big deal, but it can wear down the neck vertebrae and surrounding tissues over time.

Even though you might need to look down occasionally, practicing good posture can keep chronic neck pain from worsening. For example, holding your phone or tablet at eye level can make a big difference. Research published in the journal Physical Therapy found that people who practiced good posture experienced significant reductions in neck pain compared to those who didn’t.

3. Physical therapy

Physical therapy combines strengthening exercises, stretches, and manual or massage therapies to reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and promote healing. Dr. Merson may prescribe it to treat various musculoskeletal conditions, including chronic neck pain.

Research published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine found that personalized physical therapy regimens significantly improved outcomes for people with chronic neck pain. Specifically, physical therapy reduced discomfort, enhanced mobility, and helped prevent symptom recurrence.

4. Osteopathic manual therapy (OMT)

Osteopathic manual therapy (OMT) uses manual techniques such as massage, gentle pressure, and precision thrust-style maneuvers that reduce inflammation, alleviate pain, and increase blood flow. It treats musculoskeletal problems but can be especially beneficial for chronic neck pain.

One study published by the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation concludes that OMT is a safe and effective way to relieve chronic neck pain in addition to improving sleep, fatigue, and depression.

Another study conducted by researchers at Michigan State University found that OMT safely reduces pain and disability in people with chronic neck pain. Although more research is needed, these findings suggest that OMT can help control chronic neck pain if other therapies aren’t effective.

5. Minimally invasive therapies

We may recommend minimally invasive therapy with cervical injections or radiofrequency ablation if your chronic neck pain doesn’t improve with noninvasive measures, like OMT, physical therapy, or improved posture. 

Cervical injections are similar to facet joint nerve blocks that temporarily numb irritated or compressed nerves in your neck, alleviating pain and improving mobility. On the other hand, radiofrequency facet joint nerve ablation uses targeted radiofrequency (RF) waves to heat irritated or inflamed nerve tissue. 

Heating the affected nerves in your neck prevents them from sending pain signals to your brain, providing lasting relief.

We can prevent chronic neck pain from worsening

Chronic neck pain can make it hard to sleep and keep you from your favorite activities, but there are plenty of non-surgical treatments that can provide relief. After a physical exam and X-rays, we can make personalized treatment recommendations to prevent neck pain. Request an appointment with Dr. Merson today by calling our office at 561-499-7020 or using the online booking tool.