Neck Pain Earth City, MO

Neck Pain Earth City, MO. It not only causes great discomfort, but also limits and affects the movements and postures that you once took for granted. If you are like 75 percent of us, neck pain has affected you at some point in your life. Though the figurative “pain in the neck” may just be a mild annoyance that you can successfully ignore, real neck pain is often complicated and serious that affects so many of us and can lead to significant pain and loss of function if not treated promptly and thoroughly. Neck pain, the fourth leading cause of disability, makes up a significant part of the 88 billion dollars in annual healthcare costs for neck and back pain in the US.

Neck pain should not be ignored. If your neck pain is taking a toll on your life, it is important to get care from an expert as soon as possible. As the top Earth City, MO physical therapy and occupational therapy facility, we can provide you with the personalized and proven Earth City, MO neck pain treatment you need to eliminate your pain and allow you to return to the activities you enjoy. To begin receiving the quality Earth City, MO neck pain care you deserve, contact us today.

Causes and Risk Factors of Neck Pain in Earth City, MO

Neck pain is a common condition that the vast majority of us will experience at some point in our lives. 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 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 Causes of Earth City, MO Neck Pain

• 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. Fortunately for most of us, neck pain is often manageable and may even improve without requiring extensive treatment. Still, many other Earth City, MO neck pain patients experience a more serious case. Up to 85% of people who have neck pain experience at least one more recurrence of their pain within one to five years and 37% of neck pain patients develop chronic neck pain that persists beyond a year.

Neck pain is a prevalent problem that can clearly affect anyone in Earth City, MO. There are some indicators, however, that predicate neck pain for many. Risk factors include:

• Occupation – The professions that most frequently experience neck pain are office workers, healthcare workers, and manual laborers. But, more than the industry or title, the biggest work-related indicator of neck pain is those whose work causes them stress and unhappiness, regardless of the industry or occupation.
• Weight – With comparatively less muscle strength and more stress on the joints and skeletal system, neck pain is common among people who are overweight or obese.
• Posture – It’s such a common problem in today’s time that we have a colloquial term for it: “text neck.” Poor posture is a major contributor to neck and spine issues including neck pain. In fact, the strain on the cervical spine almost doubles for every 15 degrees of forward bend in the neck.
• Smoking – Smoking accelerate disc degeneration and cause pain in the neck, throughout the back, and in other joints.
• Stress – It is well-known that stress is hard on the body. Neck pain due to stress 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.

Earth City, MO Physical Therapy for Neck Pain

Due to the complex nature of the spine and the high rate of recurring neck pain in Earth City, 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. It has been found to be highly effective in treating neck pain. Though it is possible in some cases that 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 Earth City, MO neck pain that is low-risk and undisruptive. It offers neck pain patients a way to heal as safely and as thoroughly as possible. Earth City, MO physical therapy makes use of hands-on manual therapies, exercise, and education. A treatment plan using a combination of these strategies can be successful in reducing pain and stiffness while improving the range of motion needed for pain-free activity. Additionally, Earth City, MO physical therapy can assist with developing strength and flexibility in muscles affecting the neck, shoulder, shoulder blade, and core, while at the same time implementing preventative modifications that manage the risk of future pain or injury, like postural training and changes to the work-station.

With a quality Earth City, MO physical therapy program determined by your individual neck condition and goals, you can soon enjoy restored mobility, flexibility, strength, and range of motion. When you seek treatment with Axes Physical Therapy, the care we provide for your neck pain care near Earth City, MO will address the cause of your neck pain and your priorities for managing the condition. Your personal Earth City, MO physical therapist may design your neck pain treatment plan to include some of these treatment methods:

• Stretching –  stretching and exercising to improve the strength and range of motion of the muscles connected to the cervical spine
• Core, shoulder, and back strengthening – conditioning to make stronger the 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 – low impact cardiovascular exercise that increase body strength and blood flow
• Traction – separating the vertebrae reduces pressure and gives irritated and inflamed nerves and discs an opportunity to heal
• Postural correction – improving posture by demonstrating and educating proper practices, using lumbar support and other assistive devices when necessary
• Joint mobilization and manipulation – a manual therapy in which your physical therapist gently moves specific joints in a way that mirrors normal joint and tissue movement to gradually restore regular joint function and range of motion
• Trigger point dry needling – directly targeting irritated or strained 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 – 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 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 on proper posture to minimize the amount of pressure put on the neck, reduce pain, and prevent further Earth City, MO neck pain issues

   

Neck Pain Symptoms

To truly understand the nature of your neck pain and design the most appropriate treatment plan in Earth City, MO, your Axes Earth City, MO physical therapist will perform an examination to evaluate your condition. Pain is an obvious indicator 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 present various symptoms and present distinct pain sensations.

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
• Difficulty sleeping
• Pain that escalates during a specific period of the day, such as in the morning or before going to sleep at night

The types of neck pain you might experience include:

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

Your Earth City, MO physical therapist will ask you questions designed to understand the cause of your neck pain. They may also conduct an examination designed to assess your range of motion, strength, tenderness, posture, and function. Our goal as your Earth City, MO neck pain physical therapist is to understand the entirety of your neck pain before beginning your treatment to be sure that we provide complete, safe, and effective treatment.

Care for your Neck Pain near Earth City, 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 recognizes that neck pain is a complex condition that affects many of us in Earth City, MO and throughout the United States. We have what it takes to restore you to optimal health. We offer convenient, safe, evidence-based neck pain care near Earth City, MOby the hands of licensed physical therapists which advanced degrees and training in the treatment of the spine. It is our patient-centered philosophy, dedicated approach to our patients, and the talented physical therapists in our practice that make long-lasting, complete relief from your neck pain in Earth City, MO a reality.

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 provide safe and personalized neck pain care in the Earth City, MO area location of your choice. Experience the effect that Axes’ physical therapy care can have on your neck pain by beginning your treatment immediately. Contact us today or request an appointment now.