Neck pain can cause debilitating and extremely uncomfortable sensations, especially if the pain stretches from your neck down to your shoulders. According to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), approximately one-third of the population will experience neck pain in any given year. It can get worse if left untreated, and in severe cases, surgery may even be needed.

Understanding neck pain:

There are a number of reasons why neck pain may occur. When you experience neck pain, it typically can run from the base of your skull to the top of your shoulder blades, finally settling in the back of the neck. The pain may 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:

• Stiffness and muscle tightness in the upper body
• Numbness or tingling into the upper extremities
• Headaches
• Discomfort and pain when remaining in the same position for too long
• Arm weakness
• Loss of sleep due to pain and discomfort
• Inability to fully stand up or sit up straight

Common conditions causing 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 you a pain in your neck include:

• Injuries. Whiplash, typically sustained by an automobile or high-impact sports collision, is one of the most common injuries that results in neck pain. 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.
• Illnesses. Certain diseases and ailments can result in neck pain, such as rheumatoid arthritis, meningitis, or cancer.
• Nerve compression. If you have a herniated disc in your neck, or 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 all the way down to the hands and fingers — a condition known as “radiculopathy.”
• 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.
• Joint degeneration. Much like any other joint in your body, the neck joints can wear down with age, causing pain. Conditions such as osteoarthritis can also reduce the cartilage between the vertebrae in the neck, also resulting in neck pain.

Get started on your neck pain relief today:

Physical therapy is one of the best methods for treating neck pain. At Physical Therapy Solutions, our physical therapists conduct an initial physical evaluation to analyze the range of motion in your neck, as well as any limitations you have due to your pain or stiffness. 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 your neck symptoms 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 physical therapists will also provide you with targeted exercises that will strengthen, build, and improve the muscles and tissues in your neck. We will focus on improving your posture to aid in the recovery of your neck muscles, as well as avoiding re-injury in the future.

Don’t let your neck pain cause any more discomfort. Contact  Physical Therapy Solutions to speak with one of our licensed physical therapists today and schedule your appointment! We will help you get started on the road toward long-lasting pain relief.