Neck pains or stiffness are caused by certain abnormalities, inflammation, or injuries. Sometimes the pain is due to our daily activities, neck pain is caused by injury from a fall, contact sports, bad posture, or sleeping with your neck in a bad position.
The neck is made up of vertebrae that extend from the skull to the upper torso. The cervical disc absorbs shock between the bones. The muscles, ligaments, and bones of your neck support your head and allow motion.
We all tend to have poor posture & a poor workstation. We also get involved in torpid lifestyles that perpetuate dysfunctional patterns that can cause pain.
Physical Therapy is one of the most common treatments for neck pain, most therapy programs for neck pain involve applying treatments to reduce pain or stiffness enough to begin an exercise program of strengthening and stretching the neck.
The treatment and method of exercise can vary depending on the individual. A professional physical therapist can offer treatments that help relieve neck pain while aiding movement.
Here are the benefits of Physical Therapy in the treatment of neck pain:
1- Stretching and Strengthening of the neck:
On your first appointment with a physical therapist on neck issues, they’ll talk to you about your current neck pain, your medical history, and current lifestyle. Various stretches and exercises will be prescribed by a Physical therapist to train the muscles that are directly attached to the cervical spine.
The primary aim of physical therapy for neck pain is to improve, stretch and strengthen muscles, ligaments, and tendons that offer support to your vertebrae, the back and core muscles around the trunk also benefit from strengthening.
If your neck pain was caused by a major disease or trauma you can be sure that the therapist will consult with your physician on your plan of treatment. Physical therapists will work together with you to stretch and strengthen muscles that are affected and also improve flexibility and reduce swelling and pain to help enhance the healing process.
In addition, these muscle groups all work together to support the spine and contribute to improving posture. Proper posture helps keep your spine protected and prevent future pain.
2- Creating Treatment Plans:
A recent study has proved that physical therapy is a much preferable treatment option than surgery or opioid medication in terms of relieving neck pains.
It is necessary that you speak with a licensed physical therapist before you begin any type of treatment for your neck pain. The treatment plan for each patient differs, depending on the cause of the neck pain.
Physiotherapists will help you design a specific treatment program that will speed your recovery, this includes exercises and therapies that can help you return to your normal activities and lifestyle.
Treatment plans may include:
- Staying active around the house, go on short walks frequently, and avoid prolonged rest. Pain and stiffness will be decreased by movement, making it possible for individuals to feel better and live with less pain.
- Rest the painful area by avoiding activities that worsen symptoms and pains in the neck.
- Physical therapists will educate you on how to perform simple neck movements to help restore normal motion of the neck, and reduce stiffness and pain.
- Application of moist heat or ice to the affected area for a few minutes every two hours.
- Stimulates the muscles with electrical current to increase endorphin.
3- Proper Exercises and Education to Avoid Future Problems:
A physical therapist will educate and help you understand how to avoid the activities that caused the injury, so the healing process can begin. They may use different types of treatments and technologies like manual therapy and electrical stimulation to reduce pain and symptoms. Your therapist may also be interested in getting details of your workplace and home to ensure you avoid re-injury. A proper exercise program may also be designed for you that goes beyond flexibility and strengthening exercises to help you work at home to keep neck pain from reoccurring in the future.
Blue Tree Clinics Physiotherapists will guide you on treatment programs that will help you attain your goals in the fastest, safest, effective, and efficient way possible. For problems relating to spines like neck pain, they will educate you on how to go about proper body mechanics that will protect your spine and prevent further injury.
Neck pain can be difficult to deal with, but physical therapy can offer effective pain relief without surgical intervention. Once you notice improvements in your neck pain, it is necessary for you to continue your new posture and movement habits to keep your neck healthy and also prevent further pain.
Call us now for immediate intervention on all neck related pains and injuries 04 348 8262.