Is Neck Pain hindering your daily life? Find relief with Physiotherapy!
How can Physiotherapy successfully relieve neck pain?
Your neck is an integral part of everyday movement, and severe pain can prevent you from functioning properly in your day-to-day life. Whether your neck pain presents difficulty when trying to sit up straight in your chair at work or home or with tilting your head down to tie your shoes, physiotherapy can help give you relief.
Neck pain can cause debilitating and extremely uncomfortable sensations, especially if the pain stretches from your neck down to your shoulders. The American Physiotherapy 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.
Many people find relief from neck pain every year through the help of physiotherapy. Our Newcastle, ON physiotherapy clinic is dedicated to providing you with the help you need to relieve your neck pain!
What’s causing my neck pain?
Neck pain is most commonly caused by an injury to the tissues or bone structures in the neck, however, certain degenerative conditions can also lead to neck pain. Some common conditions that give your neck pain include:
Joint Degeneration
Much like any other joint in your body, the neck joints can erode with age, causing pain. Conditions such as osteoarthritis can reduce the cartilage between the vertebrae resulting in stiffness and neck pain.
Compressed nerves
If you have a herniated disc in your neck, or a narrowing of the foramen (space where the nerves exit the spine), the nerves that branch out from your spinal cord can become compressed. In some cases, nerve pain can even extend from the neck down into the arm and hands and fingers — a condition known as “radiculopathy.”
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.
Muscle strains
The muscles in your neck can become strained by overuse. Even something as simple as sitting at your desk all day with your neck craned toward the computer screen can lead to a strain in your neck muscles.
Illnesses
Certain diseases and ailments can result in neck pain, such as rheumatoid arthritis, cancer and meningitis.
What can PT treatments do for my neck pain?
Physiotherapy is one of the most effective treatments for neck pain. Our physiotherapists at Newcastle Physiotherapy and Sports Rehab will perform an initial physical evaluation to assess the range of motion in your neck as well as any limitations you may have as a result of 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 treatment step, with the main focus being overcoming neck pain and recovering as quickly as possible.
Treatments for your neck pain will most likely include manual or “hands-on” therapy, which consists of special techniques designed to reduce the stiffness of your neck and improve its range of motion. Our Newcastle, ON physiotherapists will also provide you with targeted exercises that will strengthen, build, and improve the muscles and tissues in your neck. We will also focus on improving your posture to aid in the recovery of your neck muscles and to avoid future re-injury.
As determined by your physiotherapist, additional treatment options may include ice and heat therapy, ultrasound, or electrical stimulation.
Are you experiencing any of these symptoms?
When you experience neck pain, it typically runs from the base of a person’s skull to the top of their shoulder blades, finally settling 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 additional symptoms, including but not limited to:
- Discomfort and pain when remaining in the same position for too long
- Headaches
- Numbness or tingling into the upper extremities
- Inability to fully stand up or sit up straight
- Loss of sleep due to pain and discomfort
- Arm weakness
- Stiffness and muscle tightness in the upper body
Find relief for your neck pain today! Don’t let your daily discomfort be a pain in the neck any longer! Contact Newcastle Physiotherapy and Sports Rehab to speak with one of our licensed Newcastle ON physiotherapists today and schedule your appointment! We will get you started on the road to long lasting pain relief!