Neck Pain Fenton, MO

Neck Pain Fenton, 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 some point in your life. Though a metaphorical “pain in the neck” may just be a minor nuisance that you can easily disregard, actual neck pain is often complicated and serious. 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 portion 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 neck pain is taking a toll on your life, seek care from an expert right away. Axes Physical Therapy is the leading Fenton, MO area provider of physical and occupational therapy and have what it takes to provide the personalized and evidence-based Fenton, MO neck pain treatment you need to extinguish your pain and get back to being able to do the activities you enjoy. To discover what we can do to address your Fenton, MO neck pain, contact us today.

Fenton, MO Neck Pain: Causes and Risk Factors

It is a fact that the large majority of us suffer from neck pain 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, 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 that can be caused by overuse, injury and trauma, illnesses, and other conditions.

Common Fenton, 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 will usually improve without the need for extensive treatment. On the other hand, a lot of other Fenton, MO neck pain patients need tailored care. Up to 85% of people who have neck pain experience at least one more recurrence of their pain within one to five years and in 37% of those with neck pain, the condition becomes chronic, with neck pain that persists beyond one year.

Neck pain is a prevalent problem that can clearly happen to anyone in Fenton, 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. 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, neck pain is common among people who are overweight or obese.
• Posture – We have a term for it these days: “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 – Stress has significant impact on the human body. 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.

Physical Therapy for Neck Pain in Fenton, MO

It is paramount that you seek out the proper treatment and care for your neck pain as soon as possible. Physical therapy is one of the most common forms of treatment 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 additional treatments beyond physical therapy may be needed, physical therapy is a much safer choice than surgery or medication.

Physical therapy is a powerful treatment approach for Fenton, MO neck pain that is low-risk and undisruptive. The knowledge and technical skill provided in physical therapy help patients heal safely and completely. Fenton, 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, Fenton, MO physical therapy can assist with developing strength and flexibility in muscles affecting the neck, shoulder, shoulder blade, and core, all while introducing preventative modifications to avoid the risk of future pain or injury, like postural training and changes to the work-station.

With a quality Fenton, MO physical therapy program informed by your individual neck condition and goals, you can soon enjoy restored mobility, flexibility, strength, and range of motion. At Axes Physical Therapy, your neck pain care near Fenton, MO will address the cause of your neck pain and your goals for recovery. Your designated Fenton, MO physical therapist may make use of a combination of any of the following strategies:

• Stretching –  stretches and exercises to improve the strength and range of motion of the muscles connected to the cervical spine
• 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 – low impact cardiovascular exercise that increase body strength and blood flow
• Traction – creating space between the vertebrae decreases pressure and allows inflamed and irritated nerves and discs to heal
• Postural correction – training and demonstration to develop better posture, using lumbar support and other assistive devices when necessary
• Joint mobilization and manipulation – your physical therapist performs this manual therapy by manipulating specific joints in a way that mirrors normal joint and tissue movement, allowing for the gradual restoration of typical joint function and range of motion
• Trigger point dry needling – directly targeting irritated or tight muscle tissue areas provides relief by releasing and relaxing the irritated tissue, which allows the muscles to reclaim their 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 – local application of ice and/or heat 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 on proper posture to reduce the amount of pressure put on the neck, reduce pain, and avoid additional Fenton, MO neck pain issues

   

Symptoms of Neck Pain

In order to understand the cause and extent of your neck pain and design the most appropriate treatment plan in Fenton, MO, your Axes Fenton, MO physical therapist will perform an examination to evaluate your condition. Pain is an obvious 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 present various symptoms and you may experience certain types of pain.

Symptoms that can distinguish your neck pain are:

• Numbness or tingling in the arms or hands
• Upper extremity weakness
• Headaches
• Pain in the upper back, shoulders, arms, or hands
• Stiffness and mobility limitations
• Increased pain when sneezing, coughing, reaching, etc
• Limited range of motion
• Sleeping problems
• Symptoms of pain that occur during a certain time of the day, like in the morning or before going to sleep at night

You may feel neck pain that you could describe with a word such as:

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

Your Fenton, 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 Fenton, MO neck pain physical therapist, our mission is to understand the entirety of your neck pain before beginning your care so that we can deliver the safest and most effective treatment available.

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

If you suffer from persistent or recurring neck pain, you are not alone. Axes is familiar with just how complicated and common neck pain is–a condition that affects many of us in Fenton, MO and throughout the United States and we are here to help. We offer convenient, safe, effective neck pain care near Fenton, MO provided by licensed physical therapists who have dedicated their careers to treating 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 Fenton, MO a reality.

It is time that you were able to live pain-free and with the freedom to do the activities you enjoy. Our family of twelve locally owned and operated physical therapy facilities offer neck pain care of unrivaled quality in the Fenton, MO area location that is convenient for you. Experience the effect of Axes’ quality physical therapy treatment on your neck pain by starting a treatment program promptly. Get in touch with us today or submit an appointment request online now.