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Neck Pain

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Neck Pain

What causes neck pain?

Neck pain can result from muscle sprain, ligament strain, facet joint pain or slipped discs (discogenic pain). Facet joints are the small joints between the bones in the spine. Besides causing neck pain and headaches, slipped discs can also press onto nerves and lead to pain and numbness that radiate into the arms.

Whiplash injury and age-related degeneration are the common causes for neck pain. Poor workplace ergonomics and bad sleeping posture perpetuate the condition.

What is the treatment for neck pain?

In general, painkillers, exercises, physiotherapy and correction of poor posture are all that is necessary. Patients who do not recover despite conservative management may require interventional pain therapy.

What are the common types of interventional pain therapy?

These include muscle trigger point injections, epidural steroid injections, nerve root blocks, facet joint injections, disc decompression (nucleoplasty) as well as radiofrequency ablation.

Depending on the source of your pain, your doctor will advise you on the appropriate therapy.

Whiplash Injury

What is whiplash injury?

It is an injury to the neck which results from sudden forceful movement of the head forward and then backwards. This commonly occurs from a rear-end vehicle collision, but may also happen after physical trauma, sports injuries and even roller-coaster rides.

What are the symptoms of whiplash injury?

Symptoms may develop immediately or a few days after the incident. They include neck pain and stiffness, headache, dizziness or unsteady gait.

However, if you experience numbness and weakness of the arms or legs, and loss of bladder or bowel control, please seek immediate medical attention.

How is whiplash injury treated?

Most people will recover with rest, gentle stretching exercises, physiotherapy and painkillers. If you have severe pain or worrisome symptoms, you may need X-rays, CT or MRI scan of the cervical spine.

In some cases, cervical facet joint injections, epidural steroid injections or disc annuloplasty may be needed.

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The Pain Clinic The Pain Clinic - Dr. Ho Kok Yuen

Dr. Ho Kok Yuen

MBBS, MMed (Anaes), FAMS (Anaes), GDSM (Sports Med)
Specialist, Pain Management & Anaesthesiology
Credentials of Excellence
  • Fellow, Interventional Pain Practice (FIPP) with the WIP
  • European Society of Regional Anaesthesia & Pain Therapy Diploma of Pain Medicine (ESRA-DPM)
  • European Diploma in Pain Medicine (EDPM), European Pain Federation EFIC
  • Graduate Diploma in Sports Medicine (GDSM), Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMed)
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

About Neck Pain

What causes chronic neck pain?

Chronic neck pain can result from poor posture, prolonged screen time, muscle strain, injuries, herniated discs, or underlying medical conditions such as arthritis or cervical spine issues.

How is neck pain diagnosed?

Diagnosis includes a physical examination, assessment of movement and muscle strength, and imaging tests like X-rays, MRI, or CT scans to identify structural problems or nerve compression.

When should I see a doctor for neck pain?

If your neck pain persists for more than a few weeks, worsens over time, or is accompanied by numbness, weakness, or headaches, it’s important to seek medical attention for a proper evaluation.

What are some effective treatments for neck pain?

Treatment options include physical therapy, posture correction, medication, nerve blocks, and in severe cases, minimally invasive procedures to relieve pain and restore function.

Can stress cause neck pain?

Yes, stress can lead to muscle tension in the neck and shoulders, contributing to pain and stiffness. Stress management techniques such as stretching, relaxation exercises, and proper ergonomics can help.

Insurance and Health
Network Coverage

We work with various insurance partners to assist with your hospitalisation and surgery claims. In some instances, pre-approval from your insurer allows direct billing between the hospital and insurer so that you will have peace of mind during your treatment. We are MOH-accredited, so you may also utilise Medisave for your hospitalisation expenses.

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