What Will a Physical Therapist Do for My Neck?

Neck pain is a common problem experienced by several people. Factors that may cause this condition include poor posture, injury, stress, and medical conditions. Neck pain may interfere with your daily activities and affect the overall quality of life. Physical therapy in Bedford could be helpful if you experience persistent neck pain or discomfort.
Physical therapy is a popular non-invasive treatment method for chronic pain. This method is safe and effective at relieving neck pain and improving neck function. Professionals at Barkman & Smith Physical Therapy can help you regain comfort and function in your neck. Let’s see how in this article.
Causes of Neck Pain
Musculoskeletal conditions, trauma, medical or psychological conditions, lifestyle choices, and environmental factors are some of the factors that lead to neck pain. Common causes of neck pain include:
- Muscle Strain: One of the most prevalent causes of neck pain is muscle strain. It often occurs due to overuse of the neck muscles, awkward sleeping positions, poor posture, etc. Strained neck muscles cause you to feel pain or stiffness in the neck.
- Whiplash: This is a neck injury caused by a sudden forceful back-and-forth movement. If you have recently been in a motor vehicle accident, your neck pain may result from whiplash. This injury damages the soft tissues of the neck, causing neck pain.
- Herniated Discs: Cervical discs act as shock absorber cushions in the neck. They support the vertebral bones and allow flexibility for head movements. Wear and tear of these discs leads to a bulge or rupture through the outer layer. When this happens, the bulging or ruptured disc puts pressure on nerves, causing pain.
- Falls: Falls may cause trauma to the neck, leading to strains, sprains, and fractures. The neck pain you feel after a fall may vary from mild to severe, depending on the severity of the fall.
- Poor posture: This is a lifestyle factor that causes neck pain. Poor posture while sitting or sleeping strains the neck muscles, leading to chronic pain.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis: This is an autoimmune disease that may lead to inflammation and pain in the neck. This medical condition may lead to further severe complications if left untreated. Therefore, you need neck pain therapy in Bedford, TX.
How Can Physical Therapy Help With Neck Pain?
Physical therapy helps improve body parts’ movement and manage pain and other chronic conditions. It also prevents injury and chronic diseases and promotes quick recovery. Physical therapy in Fort Worth is a safe and effective treatment for mild to severe neck pain.
Physical therapy reduces pain, improves range of motion, and strengthens the neck muscles. The duration of physical therapy for neck pain varies, depending on the severity and the underlying causes. However, most people experience significant relief 6 to 12 weeks into physical therapy at Fort Worth. Some of the goals of physical therapy for neck pain include:
- Reduction of pain and stiffness
- Prevention of recurring pain
- Improvement of the head and neck’s range of motion
- Strengthening of the neck and its supporting muscles.
Roles of a Physical Therapist for Neck Pain
A physical therapist is a healthcare professional trained to assess and treat musculoskeletal conditions such as neck pain. The following are the things a physical therapist may do to alleviate your excruciating neck pain:
Comprehensive Assessment
A thorough evaluation of your condition is the first step in physical therapy. During this stage, your physical therapist will assess your neck’s range of motion, strength, posture, and flexibility. You may also have to disclose your medical history and other activities or behaviors that may contribute to your neck pain. This evaluation helps to understand the cause of your neck pain.
Individualized Treatment Plan
Based on your assessment results, the physical therapist can develop a unique treatment plan to meet your needs. Treatment plans typically include activities and exercises designed to address the cause of your pain.
Pain Management
Physical therapists employ techniques that alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and relax tense muscles. Some of these physical therapy techniques include
Manual Therapy
This technique involves hands-on modalities such as massage, joint mobilization, and manual stretching to relieve muscle tension and improve the mobility of the neck. Physical therapists perform manual therapy techniques using their hands and fingers.
Heat or Cold Therapy
This technique involves the application of a source of heat or cold to the affected area. During heat therapy, your physical therapist applies heat to your neck through hot packs, warm towels, or warm baths. Cold compresses or ice packs are the source of cold during cold therapy. Heat or Cold physical therapy reduces the stiffness, pain, and inflammation experienced in acute neck pain.
Ultrasound Therapy
This therapy technique uses high-frequency sound waves to generate deep heat within the body tissues. The generated heat increases blood flow in the affected area and promotes healing by relaxing the muscles and reducing pain and inflammation.
Electrical Stimulation
This therapy uses electrical currents to stimulate the muscles and nerves in your neck. An example of this technique is the Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS). TENS delivers low-level electrical currents to the affected area via electrodes placed on the skin. The electrical stimulation of the affected area blocks pain signals from reaching the brain, providing temporary pain relief.
Exercise Prescription
Physical therapists design exercise programs that are suited for specific problems. For neck pain, these exercises may focus on strengthening the neck muscles, improving posture, and enhancing overall mobility.
Education and Counseling
Knowing the causes of neck pain can help patients to recover quickly and prevent future occurrences. Physical therapists may teach you how to improve your posture and avoid activities that complicate your neck pain.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the role of a physical therapist in alleviating neck pain is indispensable. Physical therapy is a safe and effective way to manage neck pain while avoiding surgery and other invasive methods. Physical therapists use several non-invasive techniques to relieve pain, improve range of motion, and strengthen the muscles in the neck. If you suffer from chronic neck pain, seek physical therapy at Barkman & Smith Physical Therapy.