Neck and back pain are common conditions that can significantly affect quality of life and overall well-being. Whenever possible, pain should be managed with the least invasive treatments and least sedating medications necessary, helping patients maintain function and continue living productive, meaningful lives.

Our providers offer comprehensive care for patients experiencing back or neck pain, as well as related symptoms such as numbness, tingling, or weakness. With experience in treating a range of pain conditions, our team takes a conservative, multidisciplinary approach to evaluating and treating each patient’s condition.

Comprehensive Pain Management Options

At Rehab Medicine of the Carolinas, we understand that pain—whether acute or chronic—can significantly impact your quality of life. That’s why we offer a multimodal and personalized approach to pain management that blends advanced medical treatments with hands-on therapeutic techniques to target the root of your discomfort and restore function.

Injection Therapy

We provide trigger point injections, which are highly effective for treating painful muscle knots, especially in the neck, shoulders, back, and extremities. These injections help relax tight muscle bands, improve circulation, and reduce inflammation, offering fast and targeted relief.

We also offer ketorolac (Toradol) injections, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) administered intramuscularly. Toradol may be an option for patients experiencing acute pain, inflammation, or musculoskeletal flare-ups who have difficulty tolerating oral medications. Because ketorolac is an NSAID, its use still requires consideration of each patient’s medical history and potential contraindications.

Dry Needling

Dry needling is a specialized technique performed by trained professionals that involves the insertion of thin filiform needles into trigger points and dysfunctional muscle tissue. This approach helps release muscle tension, enhance blood flow, and promote natural healing responses. It’s commonly used for myofascial pain, sports injuries, and chronic musculoskeletal conditions.

Topical and Oral Medications

Pain management may involve more than one treatment approach. For ongoing or diffuse pain, treatment may include:

• Oral medications, tailored to each patient’s specific diagnosis and medical history. These may include anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants, nerve pain agents, or other medications.
• Compounded topical medications, which are custom-formulated creams or gels that deliver pain relief directly to the affected area with fewer systemic side effects. These topicals can be an excellent choice for patients with sensitive stomachs or those who wish to avoid oral medication interactions.