Neural Blockade in Cervical Pain Syndromes1

Address Correspondence: Laxmaiah Manchikanti, M.D., Pain Management Center of Paducah, 2831 Lone Oak Road, Paducah, KY 42003 Chronic neck pain, headache, and arm pain are some of the most common patient complaints confronting today’s health care provider. Chronic neck pain is reported to be a frequency symptom in 34% of the general population with 14% of the general population reporting neck pain that lasted for more than 6 months. The magnitude of the problem is demonstrated by increase of cervical spine surgery by 45% and cervical fusion by 70% over a ten year period from 1979 through 1988. Therapeutic effectiveness of a large variety of interventions in managing chronic neck pain is inconclusive. Pain and dysfunction have been attributed to a number of structure in the neck which have a potential for producing a pain pattern in the neck, head, and upper extremity which include intervertebral disc, nerve roots, facet joints, and ligamentous and muscular structures.