Understanding Your Neck Pain
In many situations, pain that develops in the neck can be associated with one of two major problems. The first is upper-back pain that begins to radiate into the neck. The second is arthritis. Physical therapy can be used to address both types of neck pain. Cervical arthritis causes frequent aches in the neck and shoulders. This pain is generally worse when there are sudden changes in weather or at the end of the day, and while over-the-counter medication may make the pain less severe, it won’t eliminate the pain entirely. The biggest problem posed by cervical arthritis is that the pain will typically cause a loss of range of motion in the neck, which actually increases your risk of injury as a result of a sudden movement and causes regular discomfort and frustration as you are not able to utilize your neck in the way you normally could. There are plenty of situations in which pain in the neck as a result of cervical arthritis grows so severe that it can cause chronic poor posture and even a reduction in height. Addressing the Core Problem The majority of neck and head pain can be helped with one simple strategy: strength building. It frequently happens that the absolute cause of the start of a pain in the neck or head is a result of poor posture or quickened motion, and building core strength, as well as strength in the neck, can make a huge difference in your ability to handle tasks without experiencing chronic pain.
Keep in mind that the neck and head are sensitive areas, so attempting to treat the pain at home can be dangerous and may not be effective. Working with a physical therapist is the safe way to ensure that you are practicing positive techniques to find relief from your aches and pains. If you are suffering with neck pain, call us today to learn more about how we can relieve your pain, returning you to a more active life!
Poor Posture and Neck Pain Connection
There are many cervical spine diagnoses which can cause a pain in your neck. However, did you know, pain you feel elsewhere may actually be an issue originating from your neck. For example, do you ever experience tingling and numbness
A physical therapist can complete a thorough evaluation which includes a subjective portion where you answer questions that help identify where your symptoms are coming from. Some examples include what kind of pain you are experiencing, what activities make your pain better or worse, or when/how did the pain begin? Next, a therapist will evaluate your cervical spine. They will examine your range of motion, strength, joint integrity, palpation, posture, and can also examine your shoulder or thoracic spine as well. A physical therapist can then create an individualized program to meet your specific needs and goals. A physical therapist can use different manual techniques such as massage, myofascial release, traction, joint mobilizations and joint manipulations. Manual techniques in addition to postural re-education and exercises can help to decrease your CS pain and restore proper mechanics leading to pain free mobility and activities. A physical therapist can analyze the position you sleep in, your sitting and standing posture, how you lift or carry items, how you raise your arm overhead, and your body mechanics while working or driving which can all impact your neck and the pain you feel. This comprehensive plan of care will help get rid of your pain in the neck.
Blog by: Dr. Jessica Armillay, DPT
in your arm or hand? This can be from a pinched nerve in your neck. Do you frequently get headaches? This can be a cervicogenic headache stemming from your cervical spine. Another common cause of neck or cervical spine pain is poor posture. While reading this, there is a good chance your back is rounded or slumped, your shoulders are elevated, and your head and neck are placed in a forward position. In this posture, the alignment of your spine is altered, therefore the muscles that support your neck are overloaded and there is increased stress placed on your spine at abnormal angles. This leads to muscle imbalances, muscle weakness, and muscle tightness resulting in increased strain and stress to the muscles and joints in your cervical spine. This ultimately causes pain and may even result in issues with the disks in your neck causing a herniation.
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