Physical Therapy for Neck Pain
Are you experiencing neck pain on a daily or regular basis? So many adults across the U.S. experience neck pain because of injury, poor posture, aging, or simply “sleeping on it wrong.” Neck pain does not have to be severe to be limiting. You don’t realize how many little movements are integrated into your daily activities until you suffer from such pain. A reduced range of motion in the neck seriously impedes driving, daily chores, working, and more. How can physical therapy reduce neck pain? How can a physical therapist prevent neck pain from worsening? Find out now.
Causes of Neck Pain
A carefully assembled physical therapy plan is the first form of treatment for neck pain. The first stage to assembling a therapy program is understanding the root of your symptoms. Neck pain is very often brought on from a car accident or injury, or post-surgery. It can also be caused by poor posture, especially from sitting at a desk. If you’re reading this on a mobile device, think about how you’re holding your phone or tablet for a moment. Is your device raised to meet your eye level? Or is your neck bent in an awkward position for an extended period of time?
If you’re not experiencing neck pain at this point in your life, give your posture attention now before it becomes a problem. Whether you’re sitting at a desk or sending a quick text, try and keep your posture in mind. It will save you loads of nagging pain down the line.
It’s important to understand where exactly in the neck your pain is coming from. Is it mostly at the back of the neck? Is it actually stemming from your shoulder blade? Is the pain traveling down your arm? While you might be working to address pain in your neck, the answers to these questions could point to a completely different diagnoses. A trained professional will help you find and resolve the root cause.
Treatment for Neck Pain
Physical therapy for neck pain focuses on strengthening the neck and improving flexibility. Physical Therapists are masters at setting a goal and designing the exercise regimen to get there. The exact exercises and whether they will include other parts of the body depends on the cause of neck pain, as well as other patient circumstances.
Physical therapy for neck pain will typically include:
- Stretches designed to train the muscles attached to the cervical spine.
- Exercises designed to strengthen the core and back. All of these need to be strong in order to properly support the spine.
- Low-impact aerobic activity to elevate blood flow without overextending the neck
Why Visit a Physical Therapist for Neck Pain?
Your physical therapist is there to help you master your technique. With improper form, the same exercises that are designed to heal you could actually harm you. By using the wrong muscles, favoring one side of the body, or improperly balancing your weight, such exercises can have a completely different effect on your body. Your physical therapist is there to guide you every step of the way. An experienced physical therapist knows exactly what questions to ask and signs to look for, indicating you’re executing the exercise properly.
What can physical therapy do for neck pain?
- Increase range of motion
- Improve posture & balance
- Prevent recurring pain or worsening pain
- Reduce pain or stiffness of the neck
Best Physical Therapy in Reading, PA
When you plan a visit to our office, you’ll be seen by our physical therapist, Joe Miller. Joe has spent over 30-years serving patients in the Reading and Berks area. He’ll listen to your symptoms and concerns, conduct a careful assessment, and put together a care plan to get you feeling your best. He’ll guide you through every step of your physical therapy plan. You won’t be caught off guard by any methods or treatment technique. We keep our patients informed and comfortable throughout their entire appointment. If you’re experiencing recurring or worsening neck pain, plan your visit and start feeling some relief.
