Neck Pain Relief
Neck Pain Hindering Your Daily Life? Find Relief with Physical Therapy
Physical Therapy Relieves Neck Pain Naturally!
Neck pain can result in severe and incredibly uncomfortable sensations, especially if the pain extends from your neck to your shoulders and arms.
The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) estimates that about one-third of the population will experience neck pain during any given year. If left untreated, it can become more severe, potentially leading to surgical intervention.
Your neck is an integral part of everyday functions, and sharp pain can impede your ability to function well in your daily life.
Whether your neck pain prevents you from sitting upright comfortably at your job or lowering your head to tie your shoes, physical therapy can help you return to normal, pain-free function.
Fortunately, many people are able to achieve drug-free relief from their neck pain every year through physical therapy treatments. Our Eden Prairie, MN physical therapy office is devoted to providing you with the pain relief you need.
How can physical therapy relieve my neck pain?
Did you know that physical therapy is an effective approach to relieving neck pain? At Wellspring Health Center, our physical therapists employ a holistic approach, identifying the root causes of your discomfort by utilizing a variety of examination and treatment techniques. This can include analyzing the range of motion in your neck and identifying any imbalances in related muscles, soft tissues and posture.
We then work with our in-house sports medicine provider to specify any recommended diagnostic tests and create an individualized treatment plan that fits your needs. We will work with you to establish your immediate and long-term goals and expectations for your treatment plan, with the primary focus on eliminating the root causes of your pain.
Holistic physical therapy approaches for neck pain may include myofascial release, joint mobilization, active release technique (ART). In addition, we may add high-tech treatments such as cold laser therapy, percussion therapy, and electrical muscle stimulation to relieve muscle tension and help you regain joint flexibility.
Our Eden Prairie, MN physical therapists have extensive training and knowledge in Pilates Matwork Therapy, a technique that strengthens your posture and areas of the body that support the neck and back. This innovative form of exercise helps with the recovery of an injury but goes beyond that—Pilates Matwork Therapy also helps improve overall strength and movement to prevent re-injury in the future.
Are you experiencing any of these symptoms?
Neck pain typically runs from the base of a person’s skull to the top of their shoulder blades, and can be felt on one or both sides. There are several reasons why neck pain may occur.
The pain level might range from a continual dull ache to acute and stabbing pains. Other symptoms can occasionally accompany neck pain, including but not limited to:
- Loss of sleep due to pain and discomfort.
- Numbness or tingling in 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.
What’s causing my neck pain?
Neck pain is usually caused by an injury or overuse of the neck’s tissues or bone structures; however, some degenerative conditions can also cause neck pain. Some common conditions that give you pain in your neck include:
Tech Neck
To keep your head up when working on a computer or staring down at your phone, the muscles at the back of your neck must tighten. The more you look down, the harder your muscles must work to hold your head upright. Looking down at our smartphones, laptops, or tablets all day can cause these muscles to get too weary and sore. This is referred to as a “tech neck.”
What are the symptoms of tech neck?
Common symptoms include headaches, stiff necks, neck spasms, and discomfort between the shoulder blades. Some individuals claim it’s difficult to look up after looking down for an extended period. In severe cases, a pinched nerve in your neck may cause numbness, tingling, or weakness that extends to your arms.
How can tech neck cause more serious problems?
Initially, your muscles must work hard to keep your head erect. However, the muscles contract, putting more significant pressure on the discs. As a result, the discs wear out faster, and as they wear out faster, they might bulge or rupture. If the ruptured disc pinches a nerve, you may experience pain, weakness, or numbness in your arm, which may necessitate surgical intervention. Many individuals have avoided surgery by first pursuing physical therapy for tech neck discomfort.
Illnesses
Certain diseases and ailments can result in neck pain, such as rheumatoid arthritis, meningitis, or cancer.
Nerve compression
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 (space where nerves exit the spine). In certain circumstances, nerve pain can extend from the neck to the hands and fingers, a condition known as “radiculopathy.”
Joint degeneration
The neck joints, like any other joint in your body, can deteriorate with age, creating discomfort. Osteoarthritis, for example, can diminish the cartilage between the vertebrae in the neck, leading to neck pain.
Injuries
Whiplash is one of the most prevalent causes of neck pain, and it is usually caused by a car accident or a high-impact sports incident. This is referred to as a “strain” injury because the head whips back and forth fast, impacting the soft tissues at the back of the neck.
Muscle strains
Overuse can strain the muscles in your neck. Even something as basic as sitting at your desk all day with your neck craned toward the computer screen can lead to tension in your neck muscles.
Get started on relieving neck pain naturally today
Don’t let your daily discomfort be a pain in the neck any longer. Contact our office to book a Free Consultation with one of our licensed Eden Prairie, MN, physical therapists today!
We will help you get started on the road toward long-lasting pain recovery.