Neck Surgery – Is it The Answer to Lasting Neck Pain Relief?

By Upper Cervical Chiropractic of Monmouth | April 4, 2021

As a go-to chiropractor for neck pain in Monmouth, Dr. Larry Arbeitman, DC is quite used to getting all kinds of questions regarding lasting pain relief options. Out of these questions, one stood out the most which is, “can neck surgery completely get rid of the pain?” This is quite a typical query, especially among patients who feel hopeless because of their chronic condition.

If this idea has been lingering in your mind as well, our short discussion below may let’s try to deep dive into neck pain and neck surgery and see if it’s a sensible course of action to take.

Table of Contents

The Science of Neck Pain

The neck is one of the most fascinating parts of the body, thanks to its flexible design. If you notice, it allows for maximum movement, making it relatively easy to tilt your head down, up, and even sideways.

However, the same flexible nature of the neck also puts it at risk of getting damaged or injured. In fact, the slightest force can result in upper cervical subluxation (in layman’s terms, neck bone misalignment). Some of the things that could trigger a spinal misalignment problem include:

Maintaining a bad posture when standing, sitting, or lying on the bed
History of a spinal, neck, or head trauma (post-concussion syndrome, whiplash, car collision injury, sports-related injury, etc.)
Physical overexertion such as when you paint on ceilings or handle tasks that require stretching your neck

When you have cervical bone misalignment, the surrounding tissues and nerves get pressed by the bones, causing you pain in your neck area. If left unattended, the painful sensation can spread to your shoulders, head, back, and extremities.

If your condition doesn’t stem from a cervical bone subluxation, you should look into other causes of neck pain like neck infection, spinal stenosis, bulging disc, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Look for specific signs and symptoms unique to an underlying health condition and consult with your physician, physical therapist, or chiropractor for neck pain in Monmouth.

To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and neck pain download our complimentary e-book Simple and Extremely Effective Ways to Stop your Lingering Neck Pain below.

Role of Neck Surgery in Neck Pain Relief

Did you know that roughly $86 billion gets spent in the USA for neck pain (plus low back pain) care? This is why it’s no surprise why some people wonder if neck surgery is a worth it option to explore. But is it really a practical choice? Or will it only make matters worse?

When deciding, you should consider these two question:

How bad does your neck pain impact your life?

Neck pain can indeed cause you much discomfort. However, you may not need to seek surgical intervention unless the problem progresses and cause severe nerve root damage or compression.

What is the underlying cause of the neck pain?

Using MRI imaging and other diagnostic tests, your physician can narrow down the most likely culprit behind your suffering. If, for example, the pain stems from a bulging or herniated disc that’s pressing against the spinal cord or nerve roots, then surgery may be needed. This way, the affected tissues can recover from the damage. Again, it would help weigh in on your doctor’s recommendations plus the potential complications of having your neck pain addressed through surgical means.

Additional Considerations Before Getting a Neck Surgery

Every remedy – be it medical or holistic – comes with pros and cons. As a patient seeking effective and sustainable relief from your neck pain, you should understand some of the possible risks that may come with neck surgery. Most likely, your doctor would warn you about the following complications that could result from the procedure:

Post-operative wound infection

A study reveals that this problem accounts for more than 2 million healthcare-associated infections (HAI) in the US. Factors such as steroid use, diabetes, obesity, hypovolemia, aging, and malnutrition can increase your post-operative infection risks.

Thrombophlebitis

This ailment occurs when a blood clot forms in your leg veins. It could either appear in veins near the skin surface or within a muscle. Typically, thrombophlebitis it’s not a cause for concern. However, if it becomes a persistent and recurrent problem, it could eventually result in leg pain.

Anesthesia-caused complications

Surgeons make use of a combination of anesthetics during cervical surgery. It’s a fundamental component of every surgical operation. However, using it can sometimes come with some minor issues. For example, some patients tend to react adversely to anesthetics, causing them to experience symptoms like teeth damage, vomiting, hypothermia, embolism, and anaphylaxis.

Spinal cord injury

Because of the delicate nature of neck pain surgery, you might also have increased risks for spinal cord injury. This is especially true if the operation would involve bone spurs or herniated discs. Don’t hesitate to consult with your primary doctor about this concern so you can set your expectation and consider other options.

Cerebrospinal fluid leakage

Another known complication of neck surgery is cerebrospinal fluid leakage. It occurs when the protective membrane of the spinal cord or brainstem has a hole or tear. When this happens, you’re most likely to develop meningitis, a disease that causes inflammation of the meninges or the membrane layer that protects the brain.

A Non-Invasive Option For Neck Pain Relief

Indeed, neck surgery is no small feat for any patient who has chronic and persistent neck pain. It comes with several complications that you need to thoroughly examine before you decide if it’s the right option for your case. Suppose you feel a bit intimidated by the process or your condition doesn’t call for a drastic intervention such as a surgical operation. In that case, you may want to try upper cervical care.

It’s non-invasive, gentle, and precise, so you have complete peace of mind while you undergo the procedure. Basically, this holistic approach to neck pain relief involves going to a chiropractor for neck pain in Monmouth for a quick assessment of your neck bone alignment. If you have neck bone misalignments, we can provide you with the care you need by slowly adjusting and restoring your neck’s normal alignment.

Start experiencing life-changing relief from a dedicated chiropractor for neck pain in Monmouth! Feel free to get in touch with us through our contact form. You may also call at 732-617-9355 to schedule your consultation.

To schedule a consultation with the Upper Cervical Chiropractic of Monmouth clinic, call 732-617-9355 or just click the button below.