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Frequently Asked Questions:

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What are the causes of neck pain?

Neck pain can occasionally be a symptom of infections like meningitis or other diseases but is most often due to damaged bones or soft tissues in your cervical spine. Common conditions that cause neck pain include:

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• Muscle strains

• Muscle tension from stress

• Herniated or bulging discs

• Cervical spinal stenosis

• Degenerative disc disease

• Whiplash injuries

• Osteoarthritis

• Nerve compression (radiculopathy)

• Bone spurs

• Osteoporosis

• Rheumatoid arthritis

 

To find out why you have neck pain, Dr. Graf reviews your medical history and symptoms and asks you about aspects of your life that might have contributed to your neck pain, such as sitting at your work desk all day.

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He also carries out a physical exam, looking for signs of numbness or muscle weakness, and asks you to move your neck in certain ways to see what restrictions you have.

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After your initial exam, Dr. Graf may need to look at X-rays, a CT scan, or an MRI of your neck to see the internal structures in detail. He can also use electromyography (EMG) to check nerve function in your neck.

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What treatments might relieve my neck pain?

At Intelligent Pain & Regenerative Medicine Solutions, Dr. Graf generally starts your treatment with conservative approaches because they're typically highly effective. Your personalized treatment plan might include:

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• Physical therapy

• Stretching and strengthening exercises

• Lifestyle changes

• Posture correction

• Therapeutic massage

• Chiropractic

• Acupuncture

• Yoga and Pilates

• Medications

• Orthobiologic medicine

 

Dr. Graf specializes in orthobiologic medicine treatments like platelet-rich plasma (PRP), A2M (alpha-2-macroglobulin), and stem cell therapy.

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These products consist of human cells and growth factors in concentrated form, often taken from your body. They give your natural healing systems a significant boost, helping with tissue repair and regeneration.

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What can I do if conservative treatments aren't relieving my neck pain?

Most patients find a program of noninvasive treatments and orthobiologic medicine therapies resolves their neck pain problem or reduces their discomfort to manageable levels. If your treatment isn't achieving this for you, Dr. Graf offers selected image-guided procedures, including:

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• Epidural steroid injections

• Facet joint injections

• Nerve block injections

• Spinal cord stimulation

 

Spinal cord stimulation is suitable for patients with severe treatment-resistant neck pain. It involves having a generator and electrical leads implanted in your body that you control with a remote device. Spinal cord stimulation uses neuromodulation – electrical signals that interfere with the communication between your nerves and your brain to stop pain signals.

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To find the right treatment for your persistent neck pain, call Intelligent Pain & Regenerative Medicine Solutions today or request an appointment online.

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