FAQs

Are there alternative therapies available to help me deal with my pain?

Dr. Allan Levi
Miami, FL
There are a number of conservative therapies that include treatments such as anti-inflammatories, physical therapy, and injections.
Dr. David S. Baskin
Houston, TX
There are alternatives therapies available. In some cases, they are good to pursue. In others, it may to dangerous to do so. Much of this depends on the exact problem that you have. If there is compression of nerves and a neurological deficit, delay and/or treatment that can cause more trauma can be dangerous. If there is no nerve compression and the neck is stable, alternative therapies such as acupuncture and chiropractic are reasonable to pursue, as patients do report benefit from them.
Dr. B. Theo Mellion
Carbondale, IL
There are a number of therapies, many of which will offer temporary relief, but may not provide a long-term solution, especially if there is a structural abnormality. Treatments such as oral medications, epidural steroids, and acupuncture can be helpful and can control the pain but in many circumstances, however, if there is an underlying abnormality, a pinched nerve or compression of the spinal cord, then those symptoms may not resolve or respond to those measures.
Dr. Joseph Alexander
Winston-Salem, NC
Symptomatic treatments, such as physical therapy, chiropractic manipulation, massage, and acupuncture can help with limiting the symptoms from a flair-up or episode of neck pain. Anti-inflammatory medications form the foundation of pharmacologic treatment of neck pain, if OK'd by your primary physician. There are many more sophisticated mechanisms for dealing with pain, including non-narcotic and narcotic painkillers, muscle relaxants and other medications that can help with acute or chronic pain. Neck traction can be useful in some circumstances, as can the application of heat or cold.
Dr. Rick Sasso
Indianapolis, IN
Yes, there are. The question is, "Whether they are effective?" As we talked about, the vast majority of the time this gets better on its own, so, although you may do alternative therapies and you may think that the alternative therapies are helping you, actually just giving it some time is probably the best treatment.
Dr. Daniel Resnick
Madison, WI
In addition to physical therapy and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications other alternative therapies exist for neck pain. These should be discussed with the primary care physician prior to spending inordinate amounts of money as there is an entire industry built up to take advantage of people with chronic neck and low back pain.
Dr. Mark R. McLaughlin
Princeton, NJ
There are multiple alternative therapies available to deal with your pain. The mainstay for the treatment of neck pain is physical therapy. Chiropractic therapy can also be beneficial in certain individuals, although it is my opinion that chiropractic neck manipulation for cervical disc herniations may be contraindicated.
Dr. Jeffrey C. Wang
Los Angeles, CA
A significant portion of patients will obtain relief with conservative treatment. It is important to try these alternative therapies such as physical therapy, antiinflammatories and even steroid injections to help the patients deal with their pain.
Dr. Kevin Yoo
Escondido, CA
There are many therapies for neck pain, which are an alternative to surgery. The following is a list of these therapies, starting from the least risky and invasive non-surgical treatments to the most risky and invasive ones: cold or hot compresses; over the counter medications; physical therapy, including cervical traction; chiropractic, acupuncture, massage or prolotherapy; and spinal injections. These therapies will benefit each individual differently, and the success of these treatments depends mostly on what condition you are suffering from in the first place. You should always consult a physician before pursuing any of these therapies.
Dr. W. Christopher Urban
Glen Burnie, MD
There are alternative therapies available to help you deal with your pain. Most often the standard non-operative therapies are successful at relieving neck or arm pain. These therapies consist of medications, such as anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants, narcotics, and oral steroids. Selective nerve root injections are also very useful in relieving arm pain caused by nerve root compression. Physical therapy, cervical traction, moist heat, and a short period of rest are other beneficial non-operative modalities. Alternative therapies, such as acupuncture, chiropractor therapy, stress relaxation, and massage, are sometimes helpful. These treatments do not work in all patients, but may be worth exploring. A thorough medical evaluation should be completed prior to considering alternative therapies to rule out more serious conditions.
Dr. Moe R. Lim
Chapel Hill, NC
Alternative therapies such as massage therapy, heat, ultrasound, acupuncture, and chiropractic manipulation can help many patients with neck pain.
Dr. Douglas Slaughter
Mesa, AZ
Many patients can undergo pain management, which can include injections. Medications can also be tried. Physical therapy can also be tried to help avoid surgical intervention in patients who have pain that has not been alleviated with rest or time.
Dr. Sean Salehi
Chicago, IL
Cervical epidural steroid injections, application of hot packs or cold packs or neck traction may also help the pain.
Dr. Timothy C. Ryken
Iowa City, IA
There are numerous therapies to help patients manage pain. Each physician will have a preference. Most of the time, patience and time with activity modification are as good as any treatment.
Dr. Theodore A. Belanger
Charlotte, NC
It is absolutely essential that alternative therapies be considered before proceeding with surgery. Sometimes, however, surgery is unavoidable. Medications, braces, and physical therapy are the most effective ways of managing problems of the neck - the cervical portion of the spine. Any other treatment should be discussed with your medical doctor prior to proceeding, as your doctor can help guide you toward safe and effective options and to steer clear of potentially harmful treatment modes.
Dr. Dennis G. Crandall
Mesa, AZ
Physical therapy, daily exercises, gentle traction, a cervical collar, medications, and epidural steroid injections can help patients improve without surgery. Passive forceful manipulation of the neck (chiropractic) should be avoided since it can cause worsening and even catastrophic complications.
Dr. Robert S. Pashman
Los Angeles, CA
Alternative therapies such as light traction, acupuncture, Pilates, anti-inflammatory medication, a short course of steroids or trigger-point injections are often treatment options for neck pain. While these may relieve some symptoms, there is no "cure" for herniated discs.
Dr. Paul Saiz
Mesa, AZ
Conservative treatment which involves therapy, medications and epidural steroid injections should be tried initially. If these do not help then secondary modalities such as acupuncture, massage, traction can be used. Alternative therapies do not have historical data to approve their efficacy as do physical therapy, epidural steroid injections and medications.
Dr. Sebastian Lattuga
Rockville Centre, NY
Alternative treatments include directed injections of medications to alleviate inflammation. These include cervical epidural and foraminal injections.
Dr. John Peloza
Dallas, TX
A conservative approach by skilled practitioners is usually successful in treating mechanical neck pain without the need for surgery. It is important for any conservative treatment to include patient education so that the patient understands the anatomy and pathology of their neck pain. Treatment often includes active physical therapy such as physical training, flexibility, and strength training of the muscles of the neck, shoulders, extremity, and trunk. Manual therapy may also be used to correct any type of mechanical abnormal motion in the individual segments within the neck. Heat, traction, muscle stimulation, and specific therapeutic massage could be included to improve the flexibility of the soft tissues. Another alternative that is very effective is therapeutic injections. These injections would be a combination of local anesthetic and steroid and are usually directed to the joints or nerves around the neck.
Dr. Randy Davis
Glen Burnie, MD
A number of alternative therapies such as medication and physical therapy are available as an alternative to surgery. There is increasing interest recently in other alternative modes of treatment such as acupuncture. The scientific results associated with these treatments are not as well understood, although the chance of many of these alternative modes of therapy hurting the patient are very small.
Dr. Brian Subach
Atlanta, GA
Anti-inflammatory agents, oral steroids, physical therapy, and electrical stimulation are all valuable alternatives to surgery.
Dr. Kambiz Hannani
Los Angeles, CA
In general, most neck and arm pain resolves within a few weeks without the need for any specific treatment. However, alternative treatments, such as physical therapy, pain, and anti-inflammatory medications, and epidural steroid injections, may be helpful depending on the type of cervical spine problem a patient with which you are dealing.
Dr. Jeffrey Goldstein
New York, NY
There are a number of therapies many of which will offer temporary relief but may not provide a long-term solution especially if there is a structural abnormality. Oral medications, epidural steroids, and acupuncture can oftentimes be helpful and can control the pain. In many circumstances, if there is an underlying abnormality, a pinched nerve, or compression of the spinal cord then those symptoms may not resolve or respond to those measures.
Dr. Mark Testaiuti
Haddonfield, NJ
Yes, depending on severity of pain and MRI findings. Other treatment may be appropriate, such as heat, massage, ultrasound, traction, electrical stimulation, acupuncture, and epidural steroids.

The commentary above recounts the experiences of these physicians. Medtronic invited them to share their stories candidly. Keep in mind that results vary; not every patient's response is the same. Talk with your doctor to learn more about any products that are mentioned above.

It is important that you discuss the potential risks, complications and benefits of spinal surgery with your doctor prior to receiving treatment, and that you rely on your doctor's judgment. Only your doctor can determine whether you are a suitable candidate for this treatment.

Published: May 04, 2007
Updated: April 19, 2010