Physical Therapy for Neck Pain

Neck pain can manifest as a persistent ache or a stabbing pain in your cervical spine. It can range from mild to severe and may be accompanied by stiffness, decreased range of motion, headaches, or muscle spasms. Severe cases report shooting pain that travels from the neck to the shoulders or arms and can sometimes cause numbness or a feeling of numbness in the upper body.

• Mental Stress: Your body reacts to emotional tension by tightening your muscles in readiness to fight or flight. While the effects of tensed muscles are subtle and cannot be immediately felt, prolonged psychological strain can lead to prolonged muscle tension, resulting in pain. Stress also lowers your immune and pain threshold, heightening your pain sensitivity.
• Poor Posture: Hunching over a work desk, computer, or tablet can lead to a misalignment of vertebrae in your neck area. This malposition puts pressure on the disks, joints, and nerves around this area. Holding your phone between your shoulder and ear or carrying heavy bags on one shoulder can also contribute to bad posture by putting uneven weight distribution around the neck area.
• Injury: Damaged muscles, ligaments, discs, and joints often lead to neck pain. Major causes of this damage include falls, car accidents, and physical altercations. Severe trauma, such as a fall from a height or a high-speed collision, can cause fractures or dislocations of the vertebrae in the neck. These injuries can damage the spinal cord or nerves, leading to neck pain, neurological deficits, and potentially life-threatening complications.
• Underlying Health Conditions: Osteoarthritis, cervical spondylosis, and degenerative disc disease can lead to wear and tear on the structures of the neck, causing inflammation. Other conditions that can cause neck pain include pinched nerves, cervical stenosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia.

You should seek neck physical therapy treatment if your neck pain persists for more than a few days. The diagnostic process will begin with a thorough examination to determine if you have any underlying medical conditions likely to cause neck pain. The provider will also ask about your occupation and lifestyle to see if there are any additional factors that could be contributing to the pain.

During the appointment, your doctor will examine your neck area, shoulders, and overall posture, as well. You can also expect to undergo a range of motion tests, which will check how well you can move your head around.

If your medical history review and physical exam do not reveal any issues, your provider may proceed with the following:

• Imaging studies: Internal images of the affected areas are taken and then evaluated by specialists. These include X-rays, CT and MRI scans, and ultrasounds.
• Electrodiagnostic Testing: Doctors use this method to assess the velocity of electrical signals traveling through nerves, providing insights into potential nerve impairment locations.

The following methods can help you prevent neck pain:

• Maintain a good posture.
• Incorporate neck stretches and strengthening exercises into your daily routine to improve flexibility and muscle strength.
• When lifting heavy objects, use your legs rather than your back to reduce strain on your neck and spine, and avoid twisting your neck while lifting.
• Practice stress-reduction techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or mindfulness to reduce neck and upper body tension.
• Use a supportive pillow that promotes proper neck alignment while sleeping.

Seek neck physical therapy treatment if the symptoms are severe, persistent, or accompanied by radiating pain, numbness, or weakness in the arms. Also, consult a healthcare professional if neck stiffness, recent trauma, or headaches persist.

Other concerning signs include fever, swelling, progressive symptoms, or a history of cancer. It’s crucial to address these symptoms promptly to determine the underlying cause and receive appropriate treatment to alleviate discomfort and prevent potential complications.

At Mend Colorado, we take a highly individualized approach to treating neck pain. Our process begins with a thorough initial evaluation, during which our skilled physical therapists assess your condition, medical history, and personal goals. This evaluation forms the foundation of your personalized treatment plan, ensuring that each aspect is tailored to meet your specific needs.

Our treatment approach encompasses a variety of modalities carefully selected to address the underlying causes of your neck pain effectively. These may include spinal manipulation, dry needling, neck strengthening exercises, and general strengthening programs. The precise combination of modalities utilized in your treatment plan is determined based on the findings from your evaluation and ongoing progress assessments.