Neck pain treatment

Physical Therapy For Neck Pain Treatment

Neck pain is a pain in or around the spine beneath your head, known as the cervical spine. Neck pain is a common symptom of injuries and medical conditions. You might have axial neck pain or radicular neck pain.

Neck pain is widespread. It occurs in about one out of four people at least once a year. It is more frequent in women than in men, and your risk of developing it increases with age.

Common Neck pain signs and symptoms

Neck pain usually implies one or more of the following symptoms:

  • Stiff neck: Soreness and difficulty moving the neck, especially when turning the head from side to side.
  • Sharp pain: This pain may be localized to one spot and feel like stabbing or stinging. This type of pain usually occurs in the lower neck.
  • General soreness: This pain is typically felt in the broader area or region of the neck. It is described as achy, not sharp.
  • Radicular pain: This pain can discharge along a nerve from the neck into the shoulder and arm. The strength can vary, and this nerve pain might feel burning or searing.
  • Cervical radiculopathy: Neurological deficits- such as problems with reflexes, sensation, or strength-may be experienced in the arm due to nerve root compression. Cervical radiculopathy may also be accompanied by radicular pain.
  • The problem with holding or lifting objects: This problem can happen if numbness or weakness goes into the arm or fingers.
  • Headaches: Often, a neck annoyance can affect muscles and nerves linked to the head. Some examples include tension headaches, cervicogenic headaches, and occipital neuralgia.

If neck pain symptoms increases, it can become hard to sleep. Neck pain may also deal with other daily activities, such as getting dressed or going to work, or any activity that involves turning the head, such as driving.

Neck pain: Causes and treatment

Various medical issues and injuries can cause neck pain. Conditions that may cause neck pain include:

  • Aging: Degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis and spinal stenosis can cause neck pain as you age. Over time, stress and motion can lead to spinal disc degeneration, causing a herniated disc or pinched nerve. 
  • Injury: Trauma from the sudden forced movement of the neck or head and rebound in the opposite direction can cause pain and soreness. The muscles, ligaments, discs, vertebral joints, and nerve roots in the spine cors in the neck can be affected by trauma injuries.
  • Mental stress: Tightening your neck muscles because of tension commonly becomes the reason for neck pain and stiffness.
  • Physical strain: Overusing your neck muscles during repetitive or strenuous activities can lead to stiffness and pain.
  • Conditions that affect spinal balance: Poor posture for long periods, being overweight, and weak abdominal muscles can all affect spine postures and contribute to neck pain.
  • Growth: In rare cases, masses, including tumors, cysts, and bone spurs, can cause neck pain.

Degenerative joint conditions

Conditions such as osteoarthritis can also reduce the cartilage between the vertebrae in the neck, resulting in neck pain. Much like any other joint in your body, the neck joints can erode with age, causing pain.

Physical Therapy for Neck Pain Relief

Physical therapy includes both passive and active treatments. Passive treatments help to relax you and your body. They also prepare your body for therapeutic exercise, the active part of physical therapy.

In the active part of physical therapy, your therapist will teach you various exercises to work on your flexibility, strength, stability, and range of motion. Your physical therapy program is individualized, considering your health and history. Your exercises may not be fit for another person with neck pain.

It’s straightforward to stick with bad habits that create neck pain. Your physical therapist can help you eliminate those bad habits and generate healthy new ones. To ensure that you are not re-injuring yourself, your physical therapist may analyze your home and work environments, giving tips on protecting yourself from neck pain.

Neck Pain Treatment

We incorporate both passive and active physical therapy into your treatment plan.

Passive physical treatment

Passive physical therapy means treatment methods therapists apply to you without active participation. The treatment may include using ice packs or heat therapy, massage therapy, ultrasound, electrotherapy, and more.

It is important to note that although you can self-administer some passive therapies at home, you should first consult with your physical therapist to learn the correct application of each treatment. Even ice packs can be harmful if not used correctly. 

Active physical therapy Active physical therapy

means actively moving your body through exercise to stretch and strengthen the muscles that support your neck to improve your posture and increase your range of motion. Active physical therapy for the channel may include – neck stretches and exercises, core muscle strengthening, and aerobic activity. 

Why choose Back 2 health?

Back2health provides transformative physical, occupational, and work injury therapy services to clients of all ages. At Back2 health, we aim to improve the lives of every client as we help them get back to what moves them.

At Back2health, we are proud of the feedback we receive from our clients stating how physical therapy has improved their lives. That’s what moves us to do what we do. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

Ready to find relief? Call us today!

Are you experiencing the symptoms of back pain or sciatica? If you are, you can find relief with Back 2 Health Physical Therapy today a Sterling Heights, Michigan. You are not your pain. Our physical therapists are ready and willing to help get you on the way to recovery!

Give us a call at our office at (586) 439-0015 or click here to request your appointment!