Is Your Phone to Blame for Your Neck Pain?

Our reliance on smartphones may be affecting our health in many ways. One of the biggest problems is persistent neck pain.

Experienced pain management specialist Steven Grossinger, DO, sees a lot of people who are limited by ongoing neck pain. Dr. Grossinger offers both diagnostic testing and treatment services to ease pain in the neck so you can enjoy a higher quality of life.

The link between your phone and neck pain

When you use your phone, you most likely lean forward and look down at the screen for an extended period of time. This unhealthy posture can strain the muscles in your neck and shoulders. This injury is so prevalent now that it even has a name — text (or tech) neck.

Repetitive muscle strains can result in persistent neck pain, shoulder pain, and back pain. Over time, you may also develop misalignments in your cervical (upper) spine that prematurely wear out the structures of your spine.

Ultimately, slumping over your phone screen can put pressure on your lungs and affect your breathing. Poor posture can also force your heart to work much harder to pump blood to the rest of your body.

When to get help for neck pain

Occasional neck pain may go away with posture improvements, over-the-counter medications, and rest. However, if your neck pain lasts longer than five days or gets worse even with home care, you should schedule a consultation with Dr. Grossinger.

We also recommend that you seek treatment for neck pain if you:

• Can’t turn your head
• Have frequent headaches
• Experience muscle cramps
• Are limited by severe neck pain

Dr. Grossinger makes a comprehensive evaluation of your neck and spine to identify what’s causing your pain. He may order an MRI or other diagnostic imaging test to assess the health of your cervical spine and rule out chronic conditions like arthritis.

Once he understands the source of your pain, Dr. Grossinger customizes a treatment plan to help you feel better.

Treatment options for neck pain

If posture improvements and other lifestyle changes can’t ease your neck pain, you may need medications to reduce inflammation in your neck muscles.

When oral medications aren’t working for you, Dr. Grossinger may recommend minimally invasive injections that deliver anesthetic and anti-inflammatory medication directly to the facet joints or epidural space of your spine.

We also offer nerve blocks that interfere with nerve signals that travel from your cervical spine to your brain. Both nerve blocks and injections can provide long-lasting relief of neck pain, allowing you to resume your normal schedule.

Dr. Grossinger also specializes in regenerative medicine that uses substances from your own body, including stem cells and platelet-rich plasma (PRP), to stimulate healing. He injects high concentrations of PRP or stem cells into your neck to relieve inflammation and pain.

Proactive neck pain prevention

To prevent pain, take steps to improve your posture, especially when you’re using your phone. Take frequent breaks from your screen and do exercises that work your neck and shoulder muscles.

You don’t have to deal with chronic neck pain on your own. Call the office of Steven Grossinger, DO, nearest to you, in Wilmington, Delaware, or Springfield, Pennsylvania, to schedule an appointment today.