Are you someone who sits in front of a computer and works all day? Are you having difficulty turning your head from side to side when driving? Are you having difficulty concentrating and reading because of headaches? We advise you not to ignore your neck pain as it can potentially lead to other complications or even worsened pain. Research shows that about 10% of adults are suffering from neck pain. About 50% of those over the age of 50 show X-ray signs of cervical osteoarthritis. If the pain is bothering you and it is affecting your daily living, we urge you to set up an initial appointment for physical therapy to figure out what exactly is going on with you.
Causes of Neck Pain & Headaches
- Herniated cervical/thoracic disc
- Cervical Spondylosis
- Spinal Stenosis
- Poor Posture
- Emotional Stress
- Whiplash Injury
- Muscle tightness
- Shoulder Dysfunction
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Cardiovascular Reasons
How can Physical Therapy help?
When it comes to neck pain, physical therapy is the safe, cost-effective and drug-free choice. By seeing a physical therapist, you may be able to avoid an X-ray or MRI which can be expensive.
When you meet with a physical therapist, they will be able to figure out what is causing your pain and how to alleviate it. They will come up with a treatment plan that will suit your needs to get you long lasting relief.
In order to help you achieve your goals and achieve pain relief, your physical therapist may use the following:
- Manual therapy using McKenzie and Maitland techniques, cupping, IASTM, etc.
- Modalities such Electrical stimulation, Class IV B Laser, Ultrasound, Mechanical Traction
- Evidence based therapeutic exercises
If you are experiencing neck pain and/or headache symptoms, we urge you to talk to your physician or directly to your physical therapist. They can get you started with physical therapy to help you get back to a pain-free life.