Neck Pain Berkeley, MO

Neck Pain Berkeley, MO. It is painful, greatly limiting, and it affects your ability to move in ways that you once took for granted. If you happen to be like 75 percent of us, you have experienced neck pain at one time or another. While a metaphorical “pain in the neck” may just be a mild annoyance that you can successfully ignore, actual neck pain is a serious issue. It is a pervasive problem that can lead to significant pain and loss of function if not treated promptly and thoroughly. Ranking as the number four cause of disability, neck pain makes up a significant part of the 88 billion dollars in annual healthcare costs for neck and back pain in the US.

If you experience neck pain, do not brush it off. If your life is affected by your neck pain, seek care from an expert right away. Axes Physical Therapy is the leading Berkeley, MO area provider of physical and occupational therapy and can provide you with the personalized and proven Berkeley, MO neck pain treatment you need to eliminate your pain and get back to being able to do what you love. To begin receiving the quality Berkeley, MO neck pain care you deserve, contact us today.

Causes and Risk Factors of Neck Pain in Berkeley, MO

Neck pain is a common condition that the vast majority of us will experience at least once during our lifetime. We depend upon the intricate and complex structures that make up the cervical spine to provide protection to our nervous system, offer support to our head, and give us the flexibility and range of motion that make it possible to execute many of the motions and tasks we do every day. However, this intricate arrangement also makes the neck vulnerable to pain and impairment due to overuse, injury and trauma, illnesses, and other conditions.

Common Berkeley, MO Neck Pain Causes

• Sprains and strains
• Arthritis
• Direct trauma
• Injuries
• Joint degeneration
• Inflammation
• Infection
• Bulging disc

  

• Pinched nerve
• Surgery

Around 75% of the population experience neck pain at least once during our lifetime. Luckily, many of us only experience mild neck pain that can often subside without the need for extensive treatment. On the other hand, many other Berkeley, MO neck pain patients experience a more serious case. Up to 85% of people who have neck pain will experience at least one more recurrence of their pain in a five-year period and 37% of neck pain patients develop chronic neck pain lasting more than one year.

Neck pain is a prevalent problem that can clearly affect anyone in Berkeley, MO. However, some characteristics and conditions can predispose someone to neck pain. Risk factors for neck pain include:

• Occupation – Neck pain is most common among office workers, healthcare workers, and manual laborers. However, when considering the relationship between occupations and neck pain, there is an even stronger relationship between individuals who suffer from neck pain and workers who are stressed and unhappy at work, irrespective of the industry or occupation.
• Weight – Because of the added stress on the joints and skeletal system and proportionately less muscle strength, overweight and obese individuals are at a higher risk for neck pain.
• Posture – There is a term for the poor posture so many of us spend so much time in: “text neck.” Poor posture is an obvious aggravator of neck and spine issues including neck pain. For every 15 degrees of forward bend in the neck, the strain on the cervical spine nearly doubles.
• Smoking – Smoking can be blamed for much pain in the neck, back, and other joints due to its ability to can precipitate disc degeneration.
• Stress – Stress has significant impact on the human body. Stress-related neck pain is not simply being tense. Stress is a physiological response that is responsible for  enlarging blood vessels in the muscles, restricts neck and shoulder movement, and heightens the perception of pain.

Berkeley, MO Physical Therapy for Neck Pain

It is paramount that you seek out the proper treatment and care for your neck pain as soon as possible. Physical therapy is an accepted and popular treatment methods for neck pain sufferers. This is with good reason, as evidence supports it as a highly effective neck pain treatment strategy. Though in some cases more extensive medical treament beyond physical therapy may be needed, physical therapy is an excellent first line of defense.

Physical therapy is a powerful treatment approach for Berkeley, MO neck pain that is low-risk and undisruptive. The knowledge and technical skill provided in physical therapy help patients heal safely and completely. Through a combination of hands-on manual therapies, exercise, and education, Berkeley, MO physical therapy treatment for neck pain can be successful in reducing pain and stiffness while improving the range of motion needed for pain-free activity. Berkeley, MO physical therapy patients can also benefit by stretching and strengthening the muscles related to the neck, shoulder, shoulder blade, and core, while at the same time implementing preventative adjustments to avoid the risk of future pain or injury, such as postural training and work-station adaptation.

With a personalized Berkeley, MO physical therapy program designed to your unique neck condition and goals, you will soon be able to once again enjoy your usual mobility, flexibility, strength, and range of motion. When you seek treatment with Axes Physical Therapy, your neck pain care near Berkeley, MO will be tailored to the cause of your neck pain and your goals for recovery. Your personal Berkeley, MO physical therapist may make use of a combination of any of the following strategies:

• Stretching –  stretching and exercising of the muscles surrounding the cervical spine increase strength and flexibity
• Core, shoulder, and back strengthening – conditioning to strengthen muscles in the torso, shoulder, and scapular region that work together to support and provide stability to the cervical spine and upper extremities
• Aerobic activity – to encourage healthy blood flow and build body strength, low-impact cardiovascular exercise
• Traction – separating the vertebrae relieves pressure and gives irritated and inflamed nerves and discs an opportunity to heal
• Postural correction – training and demonstration to develop better posture, supplementing with modification devices like lumbar support cushions when necessary
• Joint mobilization and manipulation – your physical therapist performs this manual therapy by manipulating the joint to mimic normal joint and tissue movement, allowing for the gradual restoration of typical joint function and range of motion
• Trigger point dry needling – direct targeting of irritated or tight muscle tissue areas releases and relaxes the irritated tissue, which allows the muscles to reclaim their range of motion
• Massage – releasing tension through the massage and hands-on manipulation of soft tissues
• Therapeutic modalities – things like ultrasound therapy and electrical nerve and muscle stimulation therapies can supplement other therapies
• Heat and ice – use of heat and/or ice can manage swelling and pain
• Ergonomic modifications and devices – medical support devices and modifications to relieve neck pain and relieve aggrivating issues from sleeping, sitting, working at a desk, etc
• Posture correction – training and education to correct posture to minimize the amount of pressure put on the neck, reduce pain, and prevent additional Berkeley, MO neck pain issues

   

Symptoms of Neck Pain

To truly understand the nature of your neck pain and formulate the most effective treatment plan in Berkeley, MO, your Axes Berkeley, MO physical therapist must examine, observe, and evaluate your condition. Pain is an obvious indicator of neck pain. However, because the spine, including the cervical spine where the neck is housed, is so delightfully complex and versatile, neck pain can present in different ways throughout the body. The specific source of your neck pain may be expressed as various symptoms and present distinct pain sensations.

Symptoms that can distinguish the cause of your neck pain are:

• Tingling sensation or numbness in the arms or hands
• Upper extremity weakness
• Headaches
• Pain that extends to the upper back, shoulders, arms, or hands
• Stiffness and immobility
• Increased pain when sneezing, coughing, reaching, etc
• Limited range of motion
• Difficulty sleeping
• Symptoms of pain that occur during a certain period of the day, like in the morning or at night at bedtime

Your neck pain may be described with words such as:

• Sharp
• Stabbing
• Dull
• Aching
• Throbbing
• Tingling
• Radiating

Your Berkeley, MO physical therapist will work to understand the cause of your neck pain by asking you specific questions. In addition, they may assess factors including strength, flexibility, range of motion, posture, and functional ability through an examination. By serving as your dedicated Berkeley, MO neck pain physical therapist, our mission is to understand the entirety of your neck pain prior to beginning your care so that we can deliver the safest and most effective treatment available.

Care for your Neck Pain near Berkeley, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

If you suffer from persistent or recurring neck pain, you are not alone. The Axes team understands the complex and pervasive nature of neck pain, which affects many of us in Berkeley, MO and throughout the United States. We have what it takes to restore you to optimal health. As an Axes patient, you will receive convenient, safe, proven neck pain care near Berkeley, MOby the hands of licensed physical therapists who have dedicated their careers to treating the spine. The patient-centered philosophy, individualized care, and extremely talented and qualified staff found in our facilities make significant, long-term neck pain relief in Berkeley, MO possible.

It is time for you to know the pain-free life you deserve–the one that allows you to do all the things you love without limitations. We have established a network of locally owned and operated physical therapy treatment facilities that offer neck pain care of unrivaled quality in the Berkeley, MO area location of your choice. Discover the effect that Axes’ physical therapy care can have on your neck pain by beginning your treatment promptly. Get in touch with us today or submit an appointment request online now.