Living with Neck Pain? Physical Therapy Can Help
Finding Relief Doesn’t Have to be a Pain in the Neck!
Your neck is an essential part of everyday movement, and severe pain can prevent you from functioning normally. Neck pain can be debilitating and extremely uncomfortable, especially if it extends from your neck to your shoulders.
Whether your pain is preventing you from sitting up straight in your chair at work or causing you to tilt your head down to tie your shoes, physical therapy can help you get back to normal, pain-free functioning.
According to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), one-third of the population will deal with pain in the neck in any given year. If left untreated, it can worsen, and in severe cases, surgery may even be required.
However, there is some good news on the horizon—every year, many people find relief from their neck pain with the help of physical therapy!
Our Fremont, NE physical therapy clinic is committed to providing you with the assistance you require. Schedule your appointment today to get started on the road to recovery!
Common symptoms of neck pain
Neck pain typically runs from the base of a person’s skull to the top of their shoulder blades, finally settling in the back of the neck.
The pain can vary in severity, from a constant dull ache to sharp and stabbing pains. It can sometimes include additional symptoms, including but not limited to:
- Stiffness and muscle tightness in the upper body
- Arm weakness
- Loss of sleep due to pain and discomfort
- Inability to fully stand up or sit up straight
- Numbness or tingling into the upper extremities
- Headaches
- Discomfort and pain when remaining in the same position for too long
There are many reasons why neck pain may occur, so slow down before you go Googling!
The best way to be 100% sure of why you’re experiencing pain is to see a therapist for an appointment.
How can physical therapy help relieve my neck pain?
Physical therapy is one of the most effective methods for treating neck pain. Our physical therapists at Nebraska Orthopaedic Physical Therapy will conduct a thorough physical evaluation to assess your neck’s range of motion, as well as any limitations you may have as a result of your pain.
Following that, they will make a diagnosis that will determine your treatment plan. You will collaborate to understand the goals and expectations of each step of your personalized treatment plan. The main goal is to get rid of the pain in your neck as quickly as possible. Your therapist will also collaborate with your primary care physician if necessary!
You may be wondering what treatments are most likely to be included in your treatment plan. Our physical therapists will give you specific exercises to strengthen, build, and improve the muscles and tissues in your neck. Many therapists use manual or hands-on therapy, which consists of specific techniques designed to reduce stiffness and improve the range of motion in your neck.
We will also concentrate on improving your posture to aid in the recovery of your neck muscles and to prevent re-injury in the future. Additional treatment options may include ice and heat therapy, ultrasound, or electrical stimulation, as determined by your physical therapist.
What could be causing your pain?
Injuries to tissues and bone are the most common reason for neck pain, however, certain degenerative conditions can also lead to it.
Some common conditions that give you pain in your neck include:
Illnesses
Certain diseases and ailments can result in neck pain, such as rheumatoid cancer, arthritis, and meningitis.
Muscle strains
Even something as simple as sitting at your desk all day with your neck craned toward the computer screen can cause your neck muscles to become strained by overuse.
Compressed nerves
If you have a herniated disc in your neck, or a 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 even extend from the neck down to the hands and fingers — a condition known as “radiculopathy.”
Injuries
Whiplash is one of the most common injuries that result in neck pain, 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.
Degenerative joint conditions
Conditions such as osteoarthritis can also reduce the cartilage between the vertebrae in the neck, also resulting in neck pain. Much like any other joint in your body, the neck joints can erode with age, causing pain.
Find relief with Nebraska Orthopaedic Physical Therapy today
Your neck pain may be taking over your life, but it doesn’t have to.
Call us today at (402) 721-1112 to speak with one of our licensed physical therapists in Fremont, NE, or click here to request your first appointment!
We will assist you in getting started on the path to long-term pain relief.