Neck Pain Bridgeton, MO

Neck Pain Bridgeton, MO. It is painful, greatly limiting, and it affects your ability to move in ways that you typically have no problem with. If you are like 75 percent of us, you have experienced neck pain at some point in your life. Though the figurative “pain in the neck” may just be a mild annoyance that you can easily 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 accounts for a large part of the 88 billion dollars in annual healthcare costs for US neck and back complaints.

If you experience neck pain, do not brush it off. If your life is affected by your neck pain, it is important to get the right care right away. As the top Bridgeton, MO physical therapy and occupational therapy facility, we have what it takes to provide the individualized and proven Bridgeton, MO neck pain treatment you need to eliminate your pain and allow you to return to the activities you enjoy. To take the first step toward lasting neck pain relief in Bridgeton, MO, contact us today.

Causes and Risk Factors of Neck Pain in Bridgeton, MO

Neck pain is a common condition that the vast majority of us will experience at some point in our lives. The intricate and beautifully complex cervical spine is a vital system that serves to provide protection to our nervous system, support our heads and bodies, and afford us a unique combination of flexibility 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 susceptible to pain and impairment due to overuse, injury and trauma, illnesses, and other conditions.

Common Bridgeton, MO Neck Pain Causes

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

  

• Pinched nerve
• Surgery

More than 75% of us suffer from neck pain at some point. For many, that neck pain will be manageable and will usually subside without requiring extensive treatment. On the other hand, many other Bridgeton, MO neck pain patients need tailored care. More than half and as many as 85% of neck pain sufferers will experience a recurrence of their pain in a five-year period and in 37% of those with neck pain, the condition becomes chronic, with neck pain that endures more than one year.

Neck pain is a prevalent problem that can clearly affect anyone in Bridgeton, MO. However, there are certain risk factors that make an individual more susceptible to neck pain. Some of these factors are:

• Occupation – The professions that most frequently experience neck pain are 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 those whose work causes them stress and unhappiness, irrespective of the industry or occupation.
• Weight – Because of the added stress on the joints and skeletal system and proportionately less muscle strength, those who are overweight or obese are more likely to experience neck pain.
• Posture – We have a term for it these days: “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 – We know that stress can wreak havoc on the body in many ways. Stress-related neck pain is not simply being tense. The physiological stress response also enlarges blood vessels in the muscles, restricts neck and shoulder movement, and heightens the perception of pain.

Bridgeton, MO Physical Therapy for Neck Pain

Due to the complex nature of the spine and the high rate of recurring neck pain in Bridgeton, MO, proper care and treatment after experiencing neck pain are essential. Physical therapy is an accepted and popular treatment methods for people experiencing neck pain. The efficacy of physical therapy is supported by extensive evidence. Though it is possible in some cases that additional treatments beyond physical therapy may be required, physical therapy is an excellent first line of defense.

Physical therapy is a powerful treatment approach for Bridgeton, MO neck pain that is low-risk and undisruptive. The knowledge and technical skill provided in physical therapy help patients heal safely and completely. Bridgeton, MO physical therapy makes use of hands-on manual therapies, exercise, and education. A treatment plan using a combination of these strategies helps you experience life without pain and regain complete range of motion. Bridgeton, MO physical therapy patients can also benefit by stretching and strengthening muscles affecting the neck, shoulder, shoulder blade, and core, all while implementing preventative practices that manage the risk of future pain or injury, like postural training and changes to the work-station.

With a personalized Bridgeton, MO physical therapy program based on your individual neck condition and goals, you can soon enjoy restored mobility, flexibility, strength, and range of motion. At Axes Physical Therapy, the care we provide for your neck pain care near Bridgeton, MO will be tailored to the reason for your neck pain and your priorities for managing the condition. Your personal Bridgeton, MO physical therapist may make use of a combination of any of these treatment methods:

• Stretching –  stretching and exercising of the muscles surrounding the cervical spine increase strength and flexibity
• Core, shoulder, and back strengthening – conditioning to improve the strength of muscles that support and stabilize the cervical spine and upper body, including those in the torso, shoulders, and scapular regions
• Aerobic activity – to encourage healthy blood flow and build body strength, low-impact cardiovascular exercise
• Traction – separating the vertebrae relieves pressure and allows inflamed and irritated nerves and discs to heal
• Postural correction – improving posture by demonstrating and educating proper practices, supplementing with modification devices like lumbar support cushions when necessary
• Joint mobilization and manipulation – your physical therapist performs this manual therapy by manipulating specific joints to mimic normal joint and tissue movement to gradually restore typical joint function and range of motion
• Trigger point dry needling – direct targeting of inflamed or strained muscle tissue areas releases and relaxes the irritated tissue, making it possible for the muscle to regain its range of motion
• Massage – manual manipulation and massage of soft tissue and trigger points that helps release tension
• Therapeutic modalities – a supplement to other therapy methods – things such as ultrasound therapy and electrical stimulation
• Heat and ice – use of ice and/or heat can reduce pain and swelling
• 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 reduce the amount of pressure and strain the neck is subjected to, helping to manage pain and avoid additional Bridgeton, MO neck pain issues

   

Symptoms of Neck Pain

To truly understand the cause and extent of your neck pain and design the most appropriate method of care in Bridgeton, MO, your Axes Bridgeton, MO physical therapist must examine, observe, and evaluate your condition. Pain, of course, is the primary symptom of neck pain. However, the spine is a brilliantly complex and versatile structure within the human body and the cervical spine, or the neck portion of the spine, is no exception. The specific source of your neck pain may be expressed as different symptoms and you may experience certain types of pain.

Symptoms that can help diagnose your neck pain are:

• Tingling sensation or numbness of the arms or hands
• Weakness in the arms
• Headaches
• Pain in the upper back, shoulders, arms, or hands
• Stiffness and immobility
• Increased pain when sneezing, coughing, reaching, etc
• Limited range of motion
• Sleeping problems
• Symptoms of pain that occur at a certain period of the day, such as in the morning or before going to sleep at night

Your neck pain may be described with words such as:

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

Your Bridgeton, MO physical therapist will work to understand the cause of your neck pain by asking you specific questions. They may also conduct an examination designed to assess your range of motion, strength, tenderness, posture, and function. Our goal as your Bridgeton, MO neck pain physical therapist is to gain as complete a picture as possible of your neck pain prior to beginning your treatment to be sure that we provide the safest and most effective treatment available.

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

If you are like 75% of us out there, you have lived with neck pain and you are not alone. The Axes team understands the complex and pervasive nature of neck pain, which affects many of us in Bridgeton, MO and throughout the United States and we are here to help. Axes Physical Therapy offers accessible, low-risk, evidence-based neck pain care near Bridgeton, MO provided by licensed physical therapists which advanced degrees and training in the treatment of the spine. Our patient-centered approach, dedicated care, and highly qualified staff make it possible for you to find meaningful, lasting relief from your neck pain near Bridgeton, MO.

It is time for you to enjoy the activities you love and the pain relief you deserve. We have established a network of locally owned and operated physical therapy treatment facilities that offer neck pain care of unrivaled quality in the Bridgeton, MO area location that is convenient for you. Experience the power of Axes’ quality physical therapy treatment on your neck pain by beginning a treatment program right away. Contact us today or request an appointment now.