If you are looking for neck pain and headache relief, you are not alone. According to the American Physical Therapy Association, approximately 30 percent of adults struggle with some form of neck pain annually. The pain can range from irritating to debilitating, depending on a variety of factors. What many people do not realize is that neck pain is usually treatable. It is often possible to minimize or even eliminate neck pain through physical therapy and other associated therapies.
Neck pain can lead to other pain throughout the body. It can lead to headaches. It can even cause muscle spasms that contribute to other injuries. If you are suffering from neck pain, it is definitely worth your time to meet with a physical therapist to discuss treatment options. You may find a clear path out of the pain you have been experiencing, one that takes you toward a pain-free, mobile life.
Understanding Neck Pain
For most people, neck pain means pain you experience in the upper area of your shoulders up to the base of your skull. Of course, your actual experience with neck pain may vary — it can sometimes feel like it originates in the neck, while other times, it may seem to travel up and down your back. The pain you feel in your neck can reduce or eliminate your ability to move your head around. You may struggle with mobility while moving your head up and down, side to side or both.
The sensation of pain in the neck can vary from sharp, stabbing sensations to a dull throbbing. Sometimes people have the sensation of electricity traveling up and down their neck and/or arms and hands. If the pain is significant, it can make it difficult or impossible to do normal, everyday activities like driving, exercising or working. It may even make it difficult to sleep.
What Are the Causes of Neck Pain?
The spine is a complex structure with many parts that can become damaged or begin to malfunction — which means there are many potential causes of neck pain. Generally, the sensation of pain comes from pressure on one or more nerves in the spine. The pressure on the nerves can be caused by a sudden injury, but it can also be caused by certain lifestyle choices.
Some of the common causes of neck pain include:
- Obesity
- Sports injuries
- Automobile accidents
- Lifting objects repetitively
- Smoking
- Incorrect posture
- Falls
- Lack of ergonomic workspaces (computer and office work in particular)
How Physical Therapy Helps With Neck Pain
When you are struggling with neck pain, it is easy to lose hope and start to feel like it will never go away. But it is important to understand that neck pain is often treatable. There is a good chance that if you schedule an appointment with a physical therapist that he or she will be able to get you some relief.
Physical therapists are experts in how the body is supposed to function — how your musculoskeletal system, your bones, muscles, etc., are designed to operate. They are trained to examine injuries and identify areas where the body can be strengthened and mobility improved based on the injury and the needs of the individual patient. Once they know what the injury is and have an idea of what is causing it, they can design a program to help you begin healing.
After your examination, your physical therapist will give you a list of exercises and guide you through them, so you can begin to strengthen the areas around your injury. He or she will also give you advice on what activities and motions to avoid, so you can prevent further irritation. By getting stronger, increasing your mobility and avoiding further injury, you may find that you recover more quickly than you thought possible.
Your Source for Physical Therapy
There is very likely a solution for your neck pain. Our physical therapy team is here to help you find it. Please Contact Us Today at Goffstown & Windham, NH Centers to schedule an appointment with one of our team members. We are standing by to help you lead a pain-free life.