How APSI Wellness in Cincinnati Can Help with Neck Pain | APSI Wellness
Discover how APSI Wellness in Milford, OH helps patients across Greater Cincinnati find lasting relief from chronic neck pain through advanced interventional procedures, targeted injections, and personalized care plans.
How APSI Wellness in Cincinnati Can Help with Neck Pain
By APSI Wellness | June 1, 2026
Table of Contents
Understanding Neck Pain
Common Causes of Neck Pain in Cincinnati
When Neck Pain Becomes Chronic
Diagnostic Injections for Neck Pain
Cervical Facet Radiofrequency Neurotomy
Nerve Blocks and Targeted Therapies
Spinal Cord Stimulation for Neck and Arm Pain
Psychotherapy and the Mind-Body Connection
What to Expect at Your First Visit
Why Patients Choose APSI Wellness for Neck Pain
Frequently Asked Questions
Neck pain is one of the most common complaints in modern life, yet it is also one of the most misunderstood. Whether it started after a fender-bender on I-275, crept in after years of hunching over a laptop, or arrived one morning for no clear reason at all, persistent neck pain can steal your sleep, sour your mood, and make even simple tasks—checking your blind spot while driving, playing with your kids, working at your desk—feel like an ordeal. If you live in Greater Cincinnati and are tired of neck pain dictating your daily routine, APSI Wellness in Milford, OH offers something most people never realize exists: a precise, evidence-based pathway out of pain that does not require surgery or a lifetime of pills. In this comprehensive guide, we explain exactly how Dr. Magdalene Kerschner and our interventional pain team diagnose and treat neck pain for patients across Cincinnati, Milford, Loveland, Mason, Anderson Township, and the surrounding communities.
Understanding Neck Pain {#understanding-neck-pain}
The cervical spine—the seven vertebrae between the base of your skull and the top of your shoulders—is an engineering marvel. It supports the weight of your head (about eleven pounds), allows for remarkable rotation and flexion, and houses the delicate spinal cord and nerve roots that carry signals between your brain and the rest of your body. But that same complexity makes the neck vulnerable.
Pain in the neck can arise from the discs, the facet joints, the surrounding ligaments and muscles, the nerve roots, or a combination of all of them. It can stay localized, or it can radiate into the shoulders, arms, hands, and even the head. Understanding which structure is driving your pain is the single most important step toward effective treatment—and it is exactly where APSI Wellness begins every patient journey.
Unlike a primary care visit that might end with a generic prescription, or an orthopedic referral that jumps straight to imaging and surgery, an interventional pain evaluation at APSI Wellness is a diagnostic detective story. We map your symptoms to specific anatomical structures, confirm our suspicions with targeted diagnostic blocks, and then treat the confirmed source with precision-guided procedures.
Common Causes of Neck Pain in Cincinnati {#common-causes-of-neck-pain-in-cincinnati}
Neck pain does not discriminate. We see it in young professionals who spend ten hours a day in front of monitors, in warehouse workers who lift and twist, in retirees whose cervical discs have simply worn down over decades, and in accident survivors whose injuries never fully resolved. The most common causes we diagnose at our Milford office include:
Cervical herniated discs — When the soft inner material of a disc pushes through the outer layer, it can press on nearby nerve roots, causing sharp, electric pain radiating into the arm or hand, often accompanied by numbness or tingling.
Degenerative disc disease — Age-related breakdown of the cushioning discs between vertebrae leads to stiffness, aching, and reduced range of motion.
Cervical spinal stenosis — Narrowing of the spinal canal or nerve root openings compresses the neural elements, producing pain, numbness, and sometimes balance or coordination problems.
Facet joint arthritis — The small joints at the back of each vertebra develop osteoarthritis, producing a deep, achy pain that worsens with extension and rotation of the neck.
Spinal arthritis — Generalized inflammatory or degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine causes widespread stiffness and discomfort.
Whiplash — Sudden acceleration-deceleration injuries—most commonly rear-end collisions—damage ligaments, discs, and facet joints, producing pain that can linger for months or years.
Myofascial pain and muscle strain — Overuse, poor posture, stress-induced muscle guarding, and deconditioning create painful trigger points in the neck and shoulder muscles.
Occipital neuralgia — Irritation of the occipital nerves at the base of the skull causes shooting pain into the scalp, often misdiagnosed as migraines.
Each of these conditions responds to different treatments, which is why a one-size-fits-all approach to neck pain so often fails.
When Neck Pain Becomes Chronic {#when-neck-pain-becomes-chronic}
Acute neck pain—pain that follows a strain, sprain, or minor injury—usually resolves within days to weeks with rest, gentle movement, and over-the-counter medication. But when pain persists beyond three months, it crosses the threshold into chronic neck pain, and the treatment landscape changes.
Chronic neck pain is rarely about a single damaged structure. The nervous system adapts to persistent input, amplifying pain signals in a process called central sensitization. Muscles tighten protectively, reducing movement and causing more stiffness. Sleep suffers, mood deteriorates, and the cycle deepens. At this stage, treating only the original anatomical problem is often not enough. You need a comprehensive strategy that addresses the tissue, the nerves, the muscles, and the mind.
That is precisely the philosophy behind APSI Wellness. We do not chase symptoms. We dismantle the cycle.
Diagnostic Injections for Neck Pain {#diagnostic-injections-for-neck-pain}
The foundation of interventional pain management is precision diagnosis. Rather than guessing which structure hurts, we ask it directly—by numbing specific nerves or injecting targeted medication and observing what happens to your pain.
Cervical Epidural Steroid Injection
For patients with radiating arm pain, numbness, or tingling caused by irritated cervical nerve roots, a cervical epidural steroid injection delivers anti-inflammatory medication into the epidural space surrounding the spinal cord and nerve roots. Performed under live fluoroscopic guidance in our Milford office, the procedure bathes inflamed nerves in corticosteroid, reducing swelling and interrupting the pain-inflammatory cycle. Many patients experience significant relief within days, with benefits lasting weeks to months.
Medial Branch Blocks
When facet joint arthritis is suspected, we perform medial branch blocks—small, precise injections of local anesthetic onto the nerves that carry pain signals from the facet joints. If your pain drops dramatically after the block, we have confirmed the diagnosis and unlocked a highly effective long-term treatment: radiofrequency neurotomy.
Facet Joint Injections
Direct facet joint injections place a combination of local anesthetic and corticosteroid into the arthritic joint itself, providing both diagnostic clarity and therapeutic relief for patients with facet-mediated neck pain.
Trigger Point Injections
For myofascial pain characterized by knotted, tender muscle bands, trigger point injections break the cycle of muscle spasm and referral pain with a quick, minimally invasive office procedure.
Cervical Facet Radiofrequency Neurotomy {#cervical-facet-radiofrequency-neurotomy}
If medial branch blocks confirm that your neck pain is coming from arthritic facet joints, cervical facet radiofrequency neurotomy offers one of the most durable non-surgical solutions available.
Here is how it works: using fluoroscopic guidance, Dr. Kerschner places a specialized radiofrequency needle adjacent to the medial branch nerves that serve the painful facet joints. Radiofrequency energy heats the needle tip, creating a precise thermal lesion that disables those nerves' ability to transmit pain signals. The procedure takes approximately 30 minutes, is performed on an outpatient basis, and requires only local anesthetic and mild sedation.
The result? Most patients experience 9 to 18 months of significant pain relief. The medial branch nerves do eventually regrow, but the procedure can be safely repeated. For patients who have been stuck in a cycle of medications, muscle relaxants, and limited activity, cervical RFA can be genuinely life-changing.
Nerve Blocks and Targeted Therapies {#nerve-blocks-and-targeted-therapies}
Not all neck pain originates from the discs or facet joints. Some of the most stubborn neck and head pain syndromes come from peripheral nerves—and they respond beautifully to targeted blocks.
Sub-Occipital Nerve Injections
For patients with occipital neuralgia—shooting, electric pain that starts at the base of the skull and radiates upward into the scalp—sub-occipital nerve injections deliver local anesthetic and steroid around the occipital nerves, often providing immediate and lasting relief. Many patients who have been told they have "migraines" or "tension headaches" discover that their pain is actually occipital neuralgia and fully treatable.
Stellate Ganglion Block
For patients with upper-extremity complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), post-herpetic neuralgia after shingles, or certain types of sympathetic-mediated face and neck pain, a stellate ganglion block interrupts the sympathetic nerve signals that amplify and sustain the pain. The procedure can be both diagnostic and therapeutic, and it sometimes produces dramatic results in patients who have suffered for years.
TMJ Injections
Jaw pain, clicking, and associated neck tension often stem from the temporomandibular joint. TMJ injections reduce inflammation in the joint itself and relax the surrounding musculature, providing relief for patients whose neck pain is intertwined with jaw dysfunction.
Spinal Cord Stimulation for Neck and Arm Pain {#spinal-cord-stimulation-for-neck-and-arm-pain}
For patients with severe, persistent neck and arm pain that has not responded to injections, nerve blocks, or conservative care, spinal cord stimulation represents one of the most advanced non-destructive options in modern pain medicine.
A spinal cord stimulator is a small implanted device that delivers mild electrical impulses to the epidural space near the spinal cord. These impulses interfere with pain signal transmission before they reach the brain—effectively replacing pain with a gentle tingling sensation (or, with newer high-frequency waveforms, with no sensation at all).
Every patient at APSI Wellness receives a trial period first: a temporary external stimulator is connected for about a week so you can test-drive the relief before committing to the permanent implant. This trial-first approach ensures that only patients who experience meaningful improvement move forward with the full procedure. Learn more in our detailed guide to spinal cord stimulation in Cincinnati.
Spinal cord stimulation is particularly effective for failed neck surgery syndrome, CRPS of the upper extremity, and chronic neuropathic pain that has resisted all other treatments.
Psychotherapy and the Mind-Body Connection {#psychotherapy-and-the-mind-body-connection}
Neck pain is not merely a physical phenomenon. Chronic pain rewires the brain, disrupts sleep, strains relationships, and erodes quality of life in ways that no injection alone can fully address. Research consistently shows that patients who combine interventional procedures with behavioral health support achieve better outcomes than those who pursue either path in isolation.
That is why APSI Wellness offers integrated psychotherapy as part of our comprehensive neck pain program. Cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic pain (CBT-CP) teaches patients to identify and modify thought patterns that amplify pain perception. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) helps patients reduce the struggle against pain and redirect energy toward valued activities. Mindfulness-based stress reduction calms the hypervigilant nervous system that keeps muscles tense and pain signals loud.
For many of our Cincinnati-area patients, psychotherapy is the missing piece that transforms "pain management" into genuine recovery.
What to Expect at Your First Visit {#what-to-expect-at-your-first-visit}
Your initial consultation at APSI Wellness typically lasts 45 to 60 minutes. Dr. Kerschner will:
Take a detailed history of your neck pain—when it started, what makes it better or worse, what treatments you have already tried, and how it affects your daily life.
Review any prior imaging (X-rays, MRI, CT) and medical records.
Perform a focused physical examination to localize the pain generator.
Discuss a personalized, step-by-step treatment plan tailored to your diagnosis, goals, and preferences.
Answer every question you have about risks, benefits, recovery, and costs.
Schedule any indicated procedures, often within the same week.
Most major insurance plans, including Medicare, are accepted. Our staff handles prior authorizations so you can focus on healing, not paperwork.
Why Patients Choose APSI Wellness for Neck Pain {#why-patients-choose-apsi-wellness-for-neck-pain}
Physician-performed, image-guided procedures — Every spinal injection and nerve block is performed personally by Dr. Magdalene Kerschner under fluoroscopic or ultrasound guidance. Precision matters; we do not perform blind injections.
Comprehensive diagnostic approach — We identify the specific structure causing your pain before treating it, eliminating the guesswork that wastes time and prolongs suffering.
Full spectrum of treatments — From conservative therapy and injections to radiofrequency neurotomy and spinal cord stimulation, we offer every evidence-based option under one roof.
Convenient Eastside location — Our Milford office is easily accessible from Cincinnati, Loveland, Mason, Anderson Township, Eastgate, and Northern Kentucky.
Integrated behavioral health — Because healing the neck also means addressing the stress, sleep disruption, and emotional toll of chronic pain.
Patient-first culture — You will never feel rushed. We explain, we listen, and we adjust the plan based on your response.
Neck pain may have convinced you that your best days are behind you. They are not. With the right diagnosis and the right combination of targeted treatments, the vast majority of our patients experience meaningful, lasting improvement.
Frequently Asked Questions {#frequently-asked-questions}
Do I need a referral to see APSI Wellness for neck pain?
Most insurance plans do not require a referral, though some HMOs do. Call our office at 513-936-3050 and our team will verify your benefits in minutes.
Will my insurance cover cervical injections and radiofrequency procedures?
Yes. Cervical epidural steroid injections, facet joint injections, medial branch blocks, radiofrequency neurotomy, and spinal cord stimulator trials are covered by Medicare and most commercial insurers when medically indicated. We handle all prior authorizations in-house.
How quickly can I get an appointment?
New patient consultations are typically available within 1 to 2 weeks, and often sooner for urgent cases. Procedures can frequently be scheduled the following week.
Are cervical injections safe?
When performed by an experienced interventional pain physician under live image guidance, cervical injections have an excellent safety profile. Serious complications are rare. Dr. Kerschner reviews all risks and benefits with you before any procedure.
Will I need surgery for my neck pain?
The majority of patients with chronic neck pain improve significantly without surgery. Our interventional approaches are designed to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and restore function—often eliminating the need for operative intervention entirely.
How long does relief from a cervical epidural steroid injection last?
Relief varies by patient and condition. Many patients experience significant improvement for several weeks to several months. Some require a series of two to three injections for maximum benefit. Radiofrequency neurotomy typically provides longer-lasting relief of 9 to 18 months.
Can you help if I have already had neck surgery?
Absolutely. Failed neck surgery syndrome is a common reason patients seek interventional pain care. Treatments like cervical epidural injections, spinal cord stimulation, and targeted nerve blocks can provide meaningful relief even after surgical intervention.
What is the difference between a bulging disc and a herniated disc?
A bulging disc extends beyond its normal boundary but the outer layer remains intact. A herniated disc has a tear in the outer layer with inner material pushing through. Herniated discs are more likely to cause nerve compression and radiating arm pain, and they respond particularly well to epidural steroid injections.
Can stress and anxiety really make neck pain worse?
Yes. Stress triggers sustained muscle contraction in the neck and shoulders, reduces pain tolerance, and amplifies central pain processing. That is why APSI Wellness integrates psychotherapy and stress management into our neck pain programs.
How do I schedule a consultation?
Call 513-936-3050 or visit our contact page. Our team will walk you through next steps, verify your insurance, and find an appointment time that works for you—often within days.
Ready to reclaim your life from neck pain? You have already taken the first step by educating yourself. Now let APSI Wellness in Milford, OH help you build a personalized plan for lasting relief. Call 513-936-3050 or schedule a consultation online today and discover exactly what is possible for your neck.
APSI Wellness — Advanced Pain Solutions & Interventions
5405 DuPont Circle Suite A, Milford, OH 45150 | Phone: (513) 936-3050
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