Combat Neck Pain & Discomfort With Physical Therapy
Because your neck plays such a vital role in everyday activity, neck pain can make it difficult to function normally. It is uncomfortable and can be debilitating, especially if it extends from your neck to your shoulders.
Physical therapy can help you get back to your regular, pain-free function if your neck pain is stopping you from conducting daily tasks comfortably, such as sitting up straight in your chair at work or tilting your head down to tie your shoes.
Our Acton, Bedford, Hudson and Sudbury, MA physical therapy clinics are dedicated to providing you with the help you need to relieve your neck pain. Make an appointment with Achieve Physical Therapy today to get started on the path toward recovery!
Are You Experiencing These Symptoms?
The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) estimates that one-third of the population will experience neck pain in any given year. It can worsen if left untreated, and in severe cases, surgery may even be required.
However, there is some good news: many people find relief from neck pain with the help of physical therapy every year!
Neck pain typically runs from the base of a person’s skull to the top of their shoulder blades and settles in the back of the neck.
The pain can vary in severity, from a constant dull ache to sharp and stabbing pains.
Neck pain can sometimes include these additional symptoms:
- Headaches
- Numbness or tingling into the upper extremities
- Inability to fully stand up or sit up straight
- Discomfort and pain when remaining in the same position for too long
- Difficulty sleeping due to pain and discomfort
- Weakness in your arms or shoulders
- Stiffness and muscle tightness in the upper body
Common Causes Of Chronic Neck Pain
Injuries to tissues and bone are the most common reason for neck pain, however, certain degenerative conditions can also lead to neck pain.
Some common conditions that can give you pain in your neck include:
Illnesses
Certain diseases and ailments can result in neck pain, such as rheumatoid cancer, arthritis, cervical spondylosis, spinal stenosis, and meningitis.
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.
Compressed Nerves
The nerves that branch out from your spinal cord can become squeezed if you have a herniated disc in your neck or a constriction of the foramen (the place where the nerves exit the spine). Nerve discomfort can extend from the neck to the hands and fingers in some circumstances, a disease known as “radiculopathy.”
Degenerative Joint Conditions
Conditions such as osteoarthritis can reduce the cartilage between the vertebrae in the neck, also resulting in neck pain. Like any other joint in your body, the neck joints can deteriorate with age, causing pain.
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.
There are many more reasons why neck pain may occur, so slow down before you go Googling! The best way to be 100% sure of why you are experiencing neck pain is to see a physical therapist for an appointment.
Physical Therapy Can Help Relieve Your Neck Pain!
Physical therapy is one of the most effective treatments for neck discomfort. Our physical therapists at Achieve Physical Therapy will perform a comprehensive physical examination to evaluate the range of motion in your neck and any limits you may be experiencing as a result of your pain. This will aid them in determining which treatments are most appropriate for your particular rehabilitation plan.
Specific exercises will be prescribed by our physical therapists to help you strengthen, build, and improve the muscles and tissues in your neck. Our therapist may use manual or hands-on therapy, which consists of specific techniques aimed at reducing stiffness and increasing the range of motion in your neck.
With the ultimate goal of eradicating your neck discomfort as quickly as possible, you will agree on the goals and expectations of each step of your specific treatment plan.
We will also focus on improving your posture to aid in the recovery of your neck muscles and to avoid future injury.
Our physical therapist will even collaborate with your primary care physician if necessary!
Let Us Help You Live A Life Free Of Neck Pain
You may be living your life around neck pain right now, but it does not have to be that way. Contact us today to speak with one of our licensed physical therapists in Acton, Bedford, Hudson or Sudbury, MA, or fill out the form here to schedule your first appointment! Achieve Physical Therapy will help you get started on the road toward long-term pain relief.