How Physical Therapy Can Help Common Neck Injuries

How Physical Therapy Can Help Common Neck Injuries
Feb 6, 2023
Back and Neck Pain, Physical Therapy Topics

Neck pain is a common and often unbearable condition that can significantly impact an individual’s daily life. It can be caused by a variety of factors such as poor posture, muscle strain, and degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis. Neck pain can range from mild and intermittent to severe and chronic. It can also be accompanied by additional symptoms such as headaches, stiffness, difficulty moving the neck, and even sleeping.

Tech Neck: What is it?

How Physical Therapy Can Help Neck Pain

For many people who are suffering from neck pain, the thought of seeking medical treatment can be intimidating. However, seeking the guidance of a healthcare professional, such as a physical therapist, can provide relief and improve the overall quality of life. Physical therapists provide safe and effective treatment for neck pain that can help to reduce pain, improve range of motion, and restore function.

Physical therapy for neck pain typically involves a combination of exercises, hands-on services, and other care techniques to address the underlying cause of the pain. Exercises may include stretching and strengthening exercises to improve flexibility and support the neck muscles. Manual therapy, such as soft tissue massage, cupping, dry needling, and joint mobilization, can help to reduce muscle tension and improve your range of motion. Other techniques, such as heat and cold therapy, ultrasound, or E-stim may also be used to reduce inflammation and pain and improve circulation to speed-up healing.

What caused your neck pain? Not to worry, your physical therapist will get to the root of your problem.

Neck Conditions Physical Therapy May Help

While each individual and their injury varies, there are many neck conditions that physical therapists can treat. Here are some of the most common neck diagnoses we treat:

  1. Cervical radiculopathy: Also known as a pinched nerve in the neck, cervical radiculopathy is a condition that occurs when a nerve in the neck is compressed or irritated. This can cause pain, numbness, and weakness in the neck, shoulders, arms, and hands.
  2. Cervical degenerative disc disease: This condition is caused by wear and tear on the bones and disks in the neck. The natural aging process causes the fluid-filled sacs to become dehydrated. When this happens, there is a decrease in the sac size, causing bone-to-bone contact, spurring, and pressure on the nerves.
  3. Cervical stenosis: This condition occurs when the spinal canal in the neck becomes narrowed. This leads to pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. It can cause neck pain, numbness, and weakness in the arms and legs.
  4. Whiplash: This injury occurs when the neck is suddenly and forcefully jolted, often as a result of a car accident. It can cause neck pain, stiffness, and headaches.
  5. Neck strain: This condition is caused by overuse or strain on the neck muscles. Strains can lead to muscle spasms and pain.

Choose Relief with Physical Therapy

Physical therapy gets to the root cause of pain, not just simply masking the symptoms. Your PT will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan. Your treatment plan is a road map that takes into account your specific needs, interests, and goals. This may involve education on proper posture and body mechanics, which can be helpful at home or at work. In addition, they will also show you strategies for managing pain and preventing future flare-ups.

The Benefits of Completing your PT Care Plan

In addition to providing relief from neck pain, physical therapy can also help to prevent future injuries and improve overall health and wellness. By working with a physical therapist, you can learn strategies for maintaining proper posture and body alignment, which can help to reduce the risk of future neck pain and other injuries.

Get Started in Physical Therapy Today

Don’t let your pain stop you from enjoying your life. If you are experiencing neck pain or other symptoms that limit your ability to be as active as you would like, let the team at MVPT help you find relief from your neck pain.

Call any MVPT Physical Therapy location to schedule or complete the form below to request an appointment. 

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