Ever felt that tension in your neck after a long day at the computer or binge-watching a series? You are not alone! Neck pain affects everyone at some point in time. The neck has to withstand a great deal of stress every day. It is strong enough to support the weight of your head. But, it starts to creak and groan if overloaded. A physiotherapist can relieve the stress and restore the strength of your neck muscles. Unlike painkillers, physiotherapy manages neck pain more effectively and provides long-lasting relief to the patient. It addresses the physical and emotional aspects of this condition to empower you to return to daily life as a healthy individual.
What Causes Neck Pain?
You can develop pain in the neck for various reasons. Age is one of them. Problems in the neck can result in pain in other parts of the body such as the shoulder, arm and head. The most common causes of neck pain are:
A Poor Posture
A healthy posture is the correct alignment of your body. Whether you sit, stand or walk, the backbone should be in its natural ‘S’ shape. The right neck posture is the one where the head is perfectly balanced on the spine without exerting stress on the neck muscles and joints.
However, the sedentary lifestyle or excessive screen time makes it quite challenging to keep a proper posture. People tend to slouch while working on their computers which strains the neck muscles, causing pain.
Injuries
Sports injuries can develop neck pain. Whiplash, for instance, is an injury caused due to sudden forceful head movement in football or other contact sports. Injuries to the shoulder can also strain the neck muscles. Rotator cuff tears, for example, originate in the shoulders but can radiate to the neck and cause discomfort.
Older people often tend to lose their balance, fall and hurt their necks due to coordination problems. Similarly, accidents that cause spinal injuries can also lead to neck pain.
Emotional Stress
A stressed mind often tenses up the muscles in our neck and shoulders. This tension leads to neck pain and even headaches.
How Does the Neck Pain Feel Like?
- A persistent ache
- A shooting pain (often travels from the neck to the arms and shoulders)
- Burning sensation in the neck area
Other symptoms associated with neck pain
- Stiffness in shoulder and upper back
- Headaches
- Neck immobility
- Tingling sensations in arms and shoulders
These are the most possible causes of neck pain. You should see a physiotherapist as soon as you notice the symptoms. The pain can aggravate if it goes unchecked and develops with age.
What is the Role of Physiotherapy in Neck Pain Management?
Physiotherapy adopts a non-invasive approach to treating not just the symptoms but the root causes of neck pain. It reduces pain and prevents its recurrence through a series of holistic treatments. You can move your head and neck comfortably. The physiotherapists may guide you through strengthening exercises to strengthen the neck muscles which help you restore your daily activities efficiently.
How Physiotherapy Helps Patients with Neck Pain?
Physiotherapy helps with neck pain in several ways, such as:
- Reduces pain without medications
- Relaxes neck muscles
- Improves joint mobility
- Reduces the risk of future pain
- Strengthens muscles in the neck and shoulders
- Corrects the neck posture
In other words, physiotherapy helps you manage neck pain and get back to your active lifestyle without worrying about it. The treatments address the core of the problem, thereby providing long-lasting relief.
How do Physiotherapists Diagnose the Condition?
Physiotherapists conduct a comprehensive evaluation of your injuries to diagnose the condition. Here are the steps you can expect at any physiotherapy clinic in Brampton.
Patient history- The physiotherapist asks about the location, intensity and duration of your symptoms. They inquire about your recent injuries, past medical history and daily lifestyle habits.
Physical tests- They conduct a full physical examination to assess the flexibility, muscle strength and range of motion in your neck and shoulders.
Posture assessment- They evaluate your posture and identify areas of concern, if any.
Functional assessment- They may ask you to perform specific movements to assess the effect of neck pain on your functional capabilities.
Neurological examination- In some cases, the professionals may conduct a neurological test to determine any underlying nerve problems.
Every step of the diagnostic process reflects the exact causes of your neck pain. The physiotherapists can determine appropriate treatment methods appropriately.
What are the Most Effective Treatment Options?
The treatment plan differs from person to person. That’s because every individual has a unique medical history, nature of injuries and lifestyle. The physiotherapist conducts the physical tests and evaluates your injuries to prescribe the most suitable treatments. The common physiotherapy treatments for neck pain are as follows:
Patient Education
Physiotherapy is all about empowering the patient with the knowledge and strength to lead an independent life. Thus, physiotherapists provide a careful and updated explanation of the condition before starting the treatments. They explain to you the nature of your injuries, the course of your recovery, coping strategies and possible future health risks related to the neck pain.
Exercise Therapy/Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is an integral part of neck pain treatment. It helps you stay active, which is crucial for recovery. Research suggests that the right exercises are more effective in controlling pain than passive treatments. The main goal of exercises is to improve the strength and flexibility of your neck. Active exercises work the neck and surrounding muscles to relieve stress and restore optimal strength.
5 benefits of exercises for neck pain
- Improves range of motion
- Address impairments in the cervical muscles (neck muscles)
- Improves the function of the neck muscles
- Reduces pain
- Improves cervical proprioception
Physiotherapists choose the exercises after assessing your injuries and conducting physical tests. They usually prescribe a series of stretching and strengthening exercises that reduce your pain, improve your flexibility and get you moving. In some cases, physical therapists may prescribe aerobic activities, and core and back strengthening exercises as well.
You should follow the instructions of your physiotherapist to perform the exercises exactly how they guide you. This ensures speedy recovery and prevention of further injuries.
Manual Therapy
Manual therapy is a passive treatment common in physiotherapy clinics. It is the application of a subtle force on specific areas of the body to manipulate the tissues and muscles. The physiotherapist uses their hands to apply optimal pressure on the soft tissues of the neck. This application of pressure relieves tension from the neck muscles, improves mobility and provides you with the relief you are looking for.
There is a wide slew of manual therapy techniques such as soft tissue mobilization, myofascial release, joint mobilization and joint manipulation. Physiotherapists use one or a combination of techniques based on the severity of your injury. They may also combine manual therapy with other treatments such as exercises to manage neck pain.
These treatments form an integral part of neck pain management. Physiotherapists may include other techniques such as posture correction, and heat and cold application based on the recovery needs of your body.
When to See a Physiotherapist for Neck Pain?
You should see a physiotherapist if you can relate to the below-mentioned cases.
- Neck pain lingers for more than three months.
- You are recovering from a neck surgery.
- You are recovering from an injury that has affected neck mobility.
The neck supports your head and is crucial for a healthy spine. You should not delay in addressing any level of pain or discomfort in your neck. Physiotherapy is a natural healing process and can prevent surgeries.
Most importantly, physiotherapists help determine the exact cause of the pain and prescribe treatments accordingly. They can also let you know if physical therapy could worsen the problem or might not help.
Look for physiotherapists with extensive experience in neck pain management before booking them. For instance, Physiotherapy First in Brampton has helped hundreds of patients manage their neck pain efficiently. Experienced physical therapists make the recovery process easier and faster.
