Neck Pain Florissant, MO

Neck Pain Florissant, 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, you have experienced neck pain at one time or another. While a metaphorical “pain in the neck” is typically not more than a minor nuisance that you can easily ignore, real neck pain is often complicated and serious. It is a pervasive problem that, when not promtly and properly cared for, can result in immense pain and limitations. Neck pain, the fourth leading cause of disability, makes up a large portion of the 88 billion dollars bill for yearly healthcare costs associated with US neck and back complaints.

Do not try to ignore or push past your neck pain. If your neck pain is taking a toll on your life, seek care from an expert right away. Axes Physical Therapy is the leading Florissant, MO area provider of physical and occupational therapy and can provide you with the individualized and proven Florissant, MO neck pain treatment you need to extinguish your pain and get back to being able to do what you love. To begin receiving the quality Florissant, MO neck pain care you deserve, contact us today.

Florissant, MO Neck Pain: Causes and Risk Factors

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 protect our vital nervous system, support our heads and bodies, and allow 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 Causes of Florissant, MO Neck Pain

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

  

• Pinched nerve
• Surgery

At some point in our lives, an estimated 75% of us will suffer from some type of neck pain. Fortunately for most of us, neck pain is often manageable and may even improve without requiring extensive treatment. On the other hand, many other Florissant, MO neck pain patients experience a more serious case. Up to 85% of people who have neck pain will experience at least one more pain episode in a five-year period and in 37% of those with neck pain, the condition becomes chronic, with neck pain that persists beyond a year.

Neck pain is a prevalent problem that can clearly happen to anyone in Florissant, 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 workers who are stressed and unhappy at work, irrespective 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 – 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 more than merely carrying tension. Stress is a physiological response that enlarges blood vessels in the muscles, restricts neck and shoulder movement, and heightens the perception of pain.

Physical Therapy for Neck Pain in Florissant, MO

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 people experiencing neck pain. This is with good reason, as evidence supports it as a highly effective neck pain treatment strategy. Though it is possible in some cases that more extensive medical treament beyond physical therapy may be required, physical therapy is an excellent first line of defense.

Physical therapy is an easily accessible, low-risk, non-invasive form of treatment that addresses the cause of your Florissant, MO neck pain. 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, Florissant, 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. Florissant, MO physical therapy patients can also benefit by developing strength and flexibility in the muscles related to the neck, shoulder, shoulder blade, and core, while at the same time introducing preventative modifications that manage the risk of future pain or injury, like postural training and work-station adaptation.

With a quality Florissant, MO physical therapy program based on your unique 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 Florissant, MO will address the reason for your neck pain and your goals for managing the condition. Your designated Florissant, MO physical therapist may design your neck pain treatment plan to include some of these treatment methods:

• Stretching –  stretches and exercises of the muscles surrounding the cervical spine increase strength and flexibity
• Core, shoulder, and back strengthening – conditioning to strengthen 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 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 – a manual therapy in which your physical therapist gently moves the joint in a way that mirrors normal joint and tissue movement to gradually restore regular joint function and range of motion
• Trigger point dry needling – direct targeting of irritated or strained muscle tissue areas releases and relaxes the irritated tissue, making it possible for the muscle to regain its 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 pain and swelling
• Ergonomic modifications and devices – to prevent complication and further neck pain, support devices can be used for 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 prevent additional Florissant, MO neck pain issues

   

Symptoms of Neck Pain

In order to understand the nature of your neck pain and design the most effective treatment plan in Florissant, MO, your Axes Florissant, MO physical therapist must perform an examination to evaluate your condition. Pain is an obvious symptom 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. Different neck pain causes may present different symptoms and present distinct pain sensations.

Symptoms that can help diagnose your neck pain are:

• Tingling sensation or numbness in the arms or hands
• Weakness in the arms
• Headaches
• Pain that extends to the upper back, shoulders, arms, or hands
• Stiffness and mobility limitations
• Increased pain when sneezing, coughing, reaching, etc
• Reduced range of motion
• Sleeping problems
• Symptoms of pain that occur at a specific period of the day, such as in the morning or at night at bedtime

The types of neck pain you might experience include:

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

Your Florissant, 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. Our goal as your Florissant, 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 complete, safe, and effective treatment.

Care for your Neck Pain near Florissant, 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 Florissant, MO and throughout the United States and we are here to help. As an Axes patient, you will receive accessible, low-risk, evidence-based neck pain care near Florissant, MOby the hands of licensed physical therapists which advanced degrees and training in the treatment of the spine. The patient-centered philosophy, individualized care, and extremely talented and qualified staff found in our facilities make long-lasting, complete relief from your neck pain in Florissant, 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 the highest quality neck pain care in the Florissant, MO area location that is convenient for you. Discover the power that Axes’ physical therapy care can have on your neck pain by starting a treatment program right away. Get in touch with us today or fill out an appointment request form now.