Neck Pain

Say Goodbye to Neck Pain with Physical Therapy!

You Don’t Have to Live with More Pains in the Neck!

Your neck is an integral part of everyday movement, and severe pain can prevent you from functioning properly in your day-to-day life. Neck pain also causes debilitating and extremely uncomfortable sensations, especially if the pain stretches from your neck to your shoulders.

Whether your neck pain is causing difficulty when you’re trying to sit up straight in your chair at work or tilting your head down to tie your shoes, physical therapy can help you get back to normal, pain-free functioning.

According to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), approximately one-third of the population will experience neck pain in any given year. It may get worse if left untreated and, in severe cases, surgery may be necessary.

There is some good news on the horizon though—many people are able to find relief from their neck pain every year with the help of physical therapy!

Our Sarasota physical therapy clinic is dedicated to providing you with the help you need. Schedule your appointment today to get started on the first steps toward recovery.

How can physical therapy help relieve my neck pain?

Physical therapy is one of the best methods for treating pain in the neck. At Total Body Physical Therapy, our physical therapists will perform a thorough physical evaluation to analyze the range of motion in your neck, as well as any limitations you may have due to your pain.

Next, they will make a diagnosis that will determine what your treatment plan is going to look like. You will work together to understand the objectives and expectations of each step of your individual treatment plan. The main goal is to eliminate pain in your neck and recover as quickly as possible. If necessary, your therapist will also work with your primary care physician!

You may be wondering what treatments for your neck pain are most likely to include. Our Sarasota physical therapists will provide you with targeted exercises that will strengthen, build, and improve the muscles and tissues of your neck. Our therapists use manual or hands-on therapy, which consists of soft tissue massage, muscle stretching and mobilization techniques designed to reduce the stiffness of your neck and improve its range of motion.

We will focus on improving your posture to help your neck muscles recover, as well as avoiding future re-injury. Additional treatment services may include ice and heat therapy, ultrasound, or electrical stimulation as our physical therapist deems appropriate.

Common reasons for experiencing neck pain

Injuries to tissues and bone are the most common reason for neck pain, however, certain degenerative conditions can also lead to neck pain.

Some common conditions that give you pain in your neck include:

Degenerative joint conditions

Conditions such as osteoarthritis can also reduce the cartilage between the vertebrae in the neck, also resulting in neck pain. Much like any other joint in your body, the neck joints can erode with age, causing pain.

Injuries

Whiplash is one of the most common injuries that result in neck pain, typically sustained by an automobile or high-impact sports collision. 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.

Compressed nerves

If you have a herniated disc in your neck, or a 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

Even something as simple as sitting at your desk all day with your neck craned toward the computer screen can cause your neck muscles to become strained by overuse.

Illnesses

Certain diseases and ailments can result in neck pain, such as rheumatoid cancer, arthritis, and meningitis.

Are you noticing any of these symptoms?

Neck pain typically runs from the base of a person’s skull to the top of their shoulder blades, finally settling in the back of the neck.

The pain can 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:

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

There are a number of reasons why neck pain may occur, so slow down before you go Googling!

The best way to be 100% sure of why you’re experiencing neck pain is to see a therapist for an appointment.

Ready to relieve the pains in your neck?

Your neck pain may be controlling your life, but it doesn’t have to.

Call our office at (941) 203-8705 to speak with one of our licensed Sarasota physical therapists today and click here to request your initial appointment!

We will help you get started on the road toward long-lasting pain relief.