Schofferman - What to do for a Pain in the Neck: The Complete Program for Neck Pain Relief

Copyright 2001 by Jerome Schofferman, M.D.
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including the right of reproduction
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Schofferman, Jerome A.

What to do for a pain in the neck: the complete program for neck pain relief/Jerome Schofferman; illustrations by Terry Toyama.
p. cm.
Includes index
1. Neck pain. 2. Neck painTreatment. 3. Neck painExercise therapy. I. Title.

RC936.S28 2001

ISBN 978-0-684-87394-7

This publication contains the opinions and ideas of its author. It is intended to provide helpful and informative material on the subjects addressed in the publication. It is sold with the understanding that the author and publisher are not engaged in rendering medical, health, or any other kind of personal professional services in the book. The reader should consult his or her medical, health, or other competent professional before adopting any of the suggestions in this book or drawing inferences from it.

The author and publisher specifically disclaim all responsibility for any liability, loss, or risk, personal or otherwise, that is incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, or the use and application of any of the contents of this book.

Over the years that I have been working in the field of spine medicine, I have met many wonderful and caring doctors. I can honestly say that most struggle as I do to find the best ways to help their patients. The best doctors have shared their insights and experiences with others who are trying to help. I am indebted to these doctors, who have been my teachers.

I have been extremely fortunate to work at the SpineCare Medical Group and the San Francisco Spine Institute. Dr. Arthur White founded the group and introduced me to the world of the spine. My other partners, Drs. James Reynolds, Noel Goldthwaite, Paul Slosar, and Garrett Kine, have supported me in my clinical work and encouraged my research and writing. The administrative staff at SpineCare, especially Jodie Faier, have supported me greatly as well.

Candice Fuhrman, my friend before she was my agent, felt there was a need for this book and encouraged me over and over to get it done. Her assistant, Elsa Dixon, edited several chapters and helped me through the process of getting the proposal finished. Gretchen Henkel, an editor of the highest caliber, helped me rework each chapter until it was clear, understandable, and free of too much medical jargon.

I would also like to thank the people at Simon & Schuster for their efforts and encouragement. Senior editor Caroline Sutton, her assistant, Nicole Diamond, and production editor Edith Baltazar contributed greatly to make my ideas a reality.

My patients have shown me what works and what does not. Without them, I would never have been inspired to do this work.

But, most of all, I thank my wife, Sally, for her enthusiasm and her love. Together we have learned that the couple that is not in motion rusts.

WHAT TO DO FOR
A PAIN IN THE NECK

Neck pain has become one of the most common problems in our society. In fact, neck pain is so prevalent that we have come to accept it as a normal part of a busy life. Neck pain can affect anyoneoffice workers, computer scientists, writers, athletes, and manual laborers. Because you are reading this book, either you or someone you know probably has neck pain and may be frustrated by the lack of good information available. But help is at hand. Although there are some gaps in our scientific understanding of neck pain, we have sufficient knowledge to make useful recommendations about diagnosis and treatment to help most people.

We do not know exactly how many people suffer from neck pain, but the number is in the tens of millions. One study estimated that in any year, at least one-third of adults has an episode of neck pain! Even worse, approximately 15 percent of those people have chronic or recurrent neck pain. The goal of this book is to help you understand the causes of neck pain, and to provide you with effective and safe techniques to relieve it. Another goal is to provide you with guidelines to determine when or if you need professional care. And if you need help, the facts in this book should enable you to communicate better with your doctor, chiropractor, or physical therapist in order to optimize your care, and to become an active participant in it.

Neck pain is usually due to mechanical problems with one or more parts of the neck. It is rare for neck pain to be due to a serious illness like cancer or infection, but that said, the consequences of chronic and severe neck pain can be very serious. Some people are unable to work and may lose their jobs. Others cannot enjoy a social life, travel, or sports. Others may become irritable or depressed and develop marital and family problems. The financial consequences can also be dire: large amounts of money are spent on health care and disability payments each year because of neck pain.

Fortunately, there is hope for neck pain sufferers. There are highly qualified physicians, chiropractors, and physical therapists who specialize in spine problems. However, much of the up-to-date knowledge needed to help patients has not yet filtered down to the general orthopedist, family practitioner, or neurologist. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the person with neck pain to be informed. Even more important, the information and techniques in this book will help most people with neck pain get better without professional care.

People with chronic neck pain may initially try massage therapists, chiropractors, or acupuncturists. If they dont get better, they will see physical therapists, physicians, and finally surgeons. Frequently the initial treatment works and their condition improves. However, too often, pain recurs and the patient seeks help elsewhere.

In my practice, I see this pattern all the time and have learned that there are no quick and easy solutions to neck pain. It takes work and time to get better, and the patient must be an active participant. Treatment must be both aggressive and active. Too often, patients have had only passive treatment. They have been treated with massage and manual therapy, heat packs and cold packs, and vitamins and herbs, but they have not been given the skills, knowledge, and training to play an active role in getting better. Fortunately, most people will respond to good conservative care that is scientifically based and sensitive to the needs of each patient.