Neck Pain Relief
Physical Therapy Can Get Rid of The Pain In Your Neck — For Good!
Neck Pain…Who Needs It?! Not You!
Most of us experience neck pain at some point in our lives. Many people work jobs that require them to crane their necks all day to look up or down at computer screens, and the result can be a severely sore neck! Neck pain can be especially debilitating and uncomfortable when it starts to affect your daily life and activities.
It’s common for neck pain to extend down into your shoulders as well, which causes more discomfort. According to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), approximately one-third of the population will experience neck pain in any given year. It can get worse if left untreated, and in severe cases, surgery may even be needed.
Sharp pains in your neck can prevent you from functioning properly in your day-to-day life because your neck plays such a huge role in your integral movement. Whether your neck pain causes problems for you when you’re trying to sit up straight in your chair at work or tilting your head down to tie your shoes, physical or occupational therapy can help get you back to a normal, pain-free function. Many people are able to find relief every day from their neck pain through the help of physical and/or occupational therapy. Our Hillsboro, TX physical and occupational therapy practice is dedicated to providing you with the relief you need, so give LP Physical Therapy a call today!
Symptoms of Neck Pain
Neck pain typically runs from the base of the skull to the top of the shoulder blade, and finally settles in the back of the neck. Pain levels can vary in severity, from a persistent, dull ache to sharp and stabbing pains. LP Physical Therapy treats all types of neck pain symptoms.
Neck pain can sometimes include additional symptoms, including but not limited to:
- Headaches
- Arm weakness
- Inability to fully stand up or sit up straight
- Numbness or tingling into the upper extremities
- Stiffness and muscle tightness in the upper body
- Discomfort after remaining in the same position for too long
- Loss of sleep due to pain and discomfort
Causes of Neck Pain
Typically, an injury to bone structures or tissues in the neck is what causes neck pain; however, there are specific degenerative conditions that lead to neck pain as well. A few common problems that can result in neck pain include:
Degeneration of joints
Neck joints can erode with age, similar to any other joint in your body. This results in moderate to severe pain. Other pain conditions such as osteoarthritis can also reduce the amount of healthy cartilage between the vertebrae in the neck.
Illnesses
There are many illnesses and diseases that can result in feeling pain in your neck. Two common ones are meningitis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Muscle strains
The muscles in your neck can become strained by overuse. Even something as mundane as sitting at your desk all day with your neck craned toward the computer screen can lead to a strain in your neck muscles.
Injuries from auto accidents
One of the most common injuries that result in neck pain is whiplash. Whiplash is typically sustained by an automobile or high-impact sports collision. This is known as a “strain” injury, causing the head to whip rapidly back-and-forth, thus affecting the soft tissues in the back of the neck.
Compression of nerves
If you have a herniated disc in your neck, or narrowing of the foramen (space where the nerves exit the spine), the nerves that branch out from your spinal cord can become compressed. In some cases, nerve pain can cause a condition known as “radiculopathy”, where the pain will radiate from the neck all the way down to the hands and fingers.
Rehabilitative Therapy Can Relieve Your Neck Pain
If you haven’t realized it by now, rehabilitative therapy is one of the best, safest methods for treating neck pain. At LP Physical Therapy in Hillsboro, TX, our physical and occupational therapists will conduct comprehensive physical evaluation and study the range of motion in your neck, as well as any restrictions you have due to your pain.
Your therapist will then be able to offer a diagnosis that will determine what your treatment plan consists of. You will work together to understand the goals and expectations of each step in your individualized treatment plan, with the main focus being overcoming neck pain and recovering as quickly as possible.
What Is Therapy Treatment For Neck Pain Like?
Neck pain treatment may include manual, or “hands-on” therapy, which consists of special techniques designed to reduce the stiffness of your neck and improve its range of motion. Our Hillsboro, TX physical and occupational therapists will also recommend targeted exercises that will strengthen, build, and improve the muscles and tissues in your neck.
Therapy will focus on improving your posture to speed up recovery of your neck muscles, as well as avoiding re-injury in the future. Some treatment plans may include ice and heat therapy, ultrasound, or electrical stimulation, depending on your condition.You don’t have to tolerate your pain in the neck any longer! Contact LP Physical Therapy to request an appointment with one of our licensed Hillsboro, TX physical or occupational therapists today. We will help you get started on the road to recovery.
