Physical Therapy for Neck Pain Relief

Let's face it, most of us have woken up with a stiff neck. Neck pain is becoming one of the most common conditions treated at Spargo Physical Therapy. Did you  know that between 10% and 25% of Americans will suffer from neck pain this year alone? That number could be even higher in those who work from home or those who work a desk jobs. 

If you are reading this, and are looking for neck pain relief please keep reading to see how Physical Therapy can help you!

• Poor Posture & Prolonged Positioning: The muscles that support your head (Upper Trapezius, Suboccipitals, and Cervical Paraspinal muscles) become overstretched and overworked.
  • SYMPTOMS: Rounded Shoulders, Forward head, Chronic Neck Pain and Achiness, Typically Fair Range of Motion, Headaches, Sometimes Dizziness, Shoulders Feel Heavy and many more.     
• Muscle Spasms:  These can be acute or chronic. Muscle spasms can be the result of mechanical trauma, poor posture, awkward prolonged positioning, stress, or even due to a "pinched nerve."
  • SYMPTOMS: Severe, sharp neck pain with head motions, severely limited neck motions, headaches, potentially burning into the shoulder blade or radiating pain down the arm.     
• Nerve Entrapment: Commonly call the "pinched nerve," nerve entrapment can come from a variety of sources including: disc herniation, osteoarthritis, cervical stenosis, trauma and muscle tightness/ spasms.
  • SYMPTOMS: Pinch felt in the neck with motion (usually one direction), radiating neck pain down the arm, numbness/tingling/ cold sensation into the arm and hand, weakness in the arm and hand   
• Whiplash: Usually the result of a motor vehicle accident but has also been report after falls or sports related contact. Muscles, ligaments and joints of the neck and shoulder become overstretched and inflamed.
  • SYMPTOMS: Severe, sharp neck pain with head motions, severely limited neck motions, headaches, potentially burning into the shoulder blade or radiating pain down the arm.     
• Surgery:  Typically surgery is the last resort for most Orthopedic Practitioners. We typically see: spinal fusion/ debridement/ decompression surgeries related to prolonged intervertebral disc pathology or severe arthritis.
• Other: Emotional stress is probably one of the biggest aggravating factors for neck pain. We are also accustom to treating neck pain due to myofascial pain syndrome and fibromyalgia.   

Based on physical therapy examination findings, your physical therapist will design an individualized treatment plan based on the patient's goals. Neck pain relief can be achieved through a combination of the following treatments:

• Education on Pathology, including Healthy Habits to Improve Posture and Safe Movement. 
• Exercises to Strengthen Neck, Shoulder, and Upper Back Muscles
• Stretches to Improve Muscle Flexibility and Joint Mobility
• Hands on Deep Tissue Massage
• Integrated Dry Needling
• Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilizations (Graston Technique)
• Cupping Therapy
• Cervical Mechanical Traction
• Heat, Ice, or Electrical Stimulation

1. Physical Therapy starts with a patient interview and a review of past medical history.  
2. The Physical Therapist will perform a complete physical assessment to find the source of your neck pain.
3. Working with the patient, realistic and obtainable goals are designed by the physical therapist.
4. A treatment plan is designed based on the patient's goals, abilities and personal preferences. 
5. Molly and Dylan work closely with local pain management clinicians, orthopedic surgeons, and primary care physicians. If additional consultation is required, we pride ourselves with helping direct patient care.