Head, Neck, and Spine

Back and neck pain account for the most common reasons people seek medical care. They’re also the primary reason people miss days of work. On the global level, the vast majority of disability is attributed to neck and back pain.

Here at Summit Healthcare Pain Clinic Associates in Show Low, AZ, our highly-trained clinical team offers a variety of non-surgical services aimed at managing painful back and neck conditions. Studies indicate that, when treated early and properly, many of the conditions that contribute to painful symptoms can be managed without surgery. We’re here to help you regain optimal comfort! Contact us at 855-768-4968 to schedule your visit.

Spinal pain may occur for a number of reasons. Overuse, poor body mechanics, and obesity are all risk factors, as is aging. That said, the most common reasons back or neck pain may develop include:

• Muscles or ligaments. The muscles and ligaments that support the spinal column may get strained during a traumatic injury like a car accident, a fall, or simple wear and tear on the body.
• Herniated or ruptured discs. The spinal discs are gel-filled structures that “cushion” the bones of the spine (vertebrae). Under constant stress, one or more discs may start to leak the gelatinous matter, causing inflammation in the surrounding nerves.
• Osteoporosis. This age-related condition involves the progressive weakening of the bones. This happens because the bones become brittle and porous. Any bone in the body can be affected by osteoporosis, including the small bones of the spine.
• Arthritis. The type of arthritis that affects the joints and the spine is referred to as osteoarthritis. This progressive condition can cause narrowing of the central spinal canal, reducing the space in which the spinal cord lives.

Studies show that some of the conditions that lead to back and neck pain can get better with rest and minor lifestyle adjustments. It’s important to schedule an exam with your doctor if spinal pain prevents you from engaging in your normal daily activities or is keeping you up at night. A prompt clinical exam should be scheduled if the pain is radiating down one or both legs or you develop weakness, tingling, or numbness in the arms or legs. Otherwise, you may rely on rest and home remedies for a few weeks to help the muscles and tissues around your spine recover from a minor injury.

Our team routinely administers epidural steroid injection treatments to help patients manage painful back and neck conditions. This office treatment works by inserting a mixture of numbing medication and steroid medication into the area where pain has developed. This injection acts as a powerful anti-inflammatory that reduces the swelling that is pressing on the nerves around the spine. It also works quickly to reduce pain. The effects of an epidural steroid injection can last from one to three months or longer.