Neck Pain Relief
Neck Pain Hindering Your Daily Life? Find Relief with Physical Therapy
By the time people seek treatment for their neck pain and headaches, it’s not because of the occasional twinge, but rather for problems that have lasted several weeks or months. Your neck is an integral area of everyday movement, and sharp pains can prevent you from functioning properly in your day-to-day life. Common complaints include not being able to turn one’s head fully, all-over neck soreness, migraines and tension headaches, stabbing pain localized to one spot on the neck, or pain that radiates as far down as the fingertips.
Neck pain can be scary, but often does not involve significant nerve injury. Simple joint and muscle dysfunction can cause pain in the neck, as well as refer to the arm. Even your balance could be impaired with simple joint stiffness in the neck. Orthopedic manual physical therapy can help with all these issues. If a significant nerve injury does exist, or maybe you have had neck surgery, we are specially trained to address your problem.
Headaches can also be the result of joint and muscle impairments in the neck. In some cases, the causes of your headaches or neck pain may be obvious — if you’ve recently been in a car accident or suffered a sports injury, for example. Often, however, problems can develop through previous injury, postural strain from having to perform the same action repeatedly. In addition, if you’re often obliged to spend too much time at your desk or in the car, the resulting muscle weakness can add to the problem. If you have had a previous shoulder problem, your headache or neck pain may even be aggravated compensating for a weak shoulder. Our innovative care strategies at MTI Physical Therapy will help you find quick relief.
How can physical therapy relieve my neck pain?
Physical therapy is one of the best methods for treating neck pain. At MTI Physical Therapy, our OMPT trained physical therapists will conduct an initial physical evaluation to analyze the range of motion in your neck, as well as any limitations you have due to your pain.
They will then create a diagnosis that will determine the make-up of your treatment plan. 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 so you can return to the activities that you love, pain-free.
Treatments for your neck pain will most likely include manual or “hands-on” therapy (manual therapy), which consists of special joint and soft tissue techniques designed to reduce the stiffness of your neck and improve its range of motion.
Therapeutic Exercise can also help your neck. This is not “strengthening” but specifically designed and dosed movements to reduce your pain, improve joint motion and normalize muscle coordination that controls the movements of the joints in your neck. Did you know that weakness in your neck, even when pain-free, can also contribute to pain, fatigue, and weakness in your shoulder and elbow? If you have had chronic neck or shoulder pain a more specific combined shoulder and neck therapeutic exercise program is often necessary.
Our team of highly trained physical therapists will also help you learn how to better position yourself during your daily life to avoid relapses, including ergonomic and posture tips.
Are you experiencing any of these symptoms?
When someone experiences neck pain, it typically runs from the base of their skull to the top of their shoulder blades, finally settling in the back of the neck. There are a number of reasons why neck pain may occur.
The pain can vary in severity, from a constant dull ache to sharp and stabbing pains. Neck pain can sometimes include additional symptoms, including but not limited to:
- Loss of sleep due to pain and discomfort
- Numbness or tingling into the upper extremities
- Headaches
- Arm weakness
- Inability to fully stand up or sit up straight
- Stiffness and muscle tightness in the upper body
- Discomfort and pain when remaining in the same position for too long
Contact us or request an appointment today at our Bellevue, Edmonds, Magnolia, Fremont, First Hill, WA clinics so our physical therapists can help you quickly resolve the debilitating neck pain you’re feeling now, and learn how to prevent it in the future.