Neck Pain Hematite, MO

Neck Pain Hematite, 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 some point in your life. While a figurative “pain in the neck” may just be a minor annoyance that you can successfully disregard, actual neck pain is a serious issue that affects so many of us and 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 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. As the top Hematite, MO physical therapy and occupational therapy facility, we can provide you with the individualized and evidence-based Hematite, MO neck pain treatment you need to extinguish your pain and allow you to return to the activities you enjoy. To begin receiving the quality Hematite, MO neck pain care you deserve, contact us today.

Causes and Risk Factors of Neck Pain in Hematite, MO

Neck pain is a common condition that the vast majority of us will experience at least once during our lifetime. 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 many activities and tasks possible. As such a complex region of the body, the neck is vulnerable to pain and impairment that can be caused by overuse, injury and trauma, illnesses, and other conditions.

Common Hematite, MO Neck Pain Causes

• 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. For many, that neck pain will be manageable and will usually resolve itself without requiring invasive treatment. On the other hand, a lot of other Hematite, MO neck pain patients are not so lucky. 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 37% of neck pain patients develop chronic neck pain that persists beyond one year.

Neck pain is a prevalent problem that can clearly happen to anyone in Hematite, MO. However, there are certain risk factors that make an individual more susceptible to neck pain. Risk factors for neck pain include:

• Occupation – Neck pain is most common among office workers, healthcare workers, and manual laborers. But, more than the industry or title, the biggest work-related indicator of neck pain is 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 – It’s such a common problem in today’s time that we have a colloquial term for it: “text neck.” Poor posture is to blame for a myriad of 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 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. Neck pain due to stress 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.

Hematite, MO Physical Therapy for Neck Pain

Getting quality and timely care and treatment for your neck pain are crucial, especially considering the complexity of the spine and the high rates of neck pain recurrence in Hematite, MO. Physical therapy is an accepted and popular treatment methods for patients suffering from 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 might be needed, 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 Hematite, MO neck pain. It offers neck pain patients a way to heal as safely and as thoroughly as possible. Through a combination of hands-on manual therapies, exercise, and education, Hematite, 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. Hematite, 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 introducing preventative adjustments that manage the risk of future pain or injury, such as posture education and changes to the work-station.

With a quality Hematite, MO physical therapy program determined by 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 Hematite, MO will be tailored to the cause of your neck pain and your goals for recovery. Your designated Hematite, MO physical therapist may make use of a combination of any 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 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 – improving posture by demonstrating and educating proper practices, supplementing with modification devices like lumbar support cushions when appropriate
• 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 typical joint function and range of motion
• Trigger point dry needling – direct targeting of irritated or tight muscle tissue areas provides relief by releasing and relaxing 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 – local application of heat and/or ice 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 to correct posture to minimize the amount of pressure put on the neck, reduce pain, and avoid further Hematite, MO neck pain issues

   

Neck Pain Symptoms

To truly understand the nature of your neck pain and design the most effective method of care in Hematite, MO, your Axes Hematite, MO physical therapist must perform an examination to evaluate your condition. Pain, of course, is the primary characteristic 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. Different neck pain causes may be expressed as different symptoms and present distinct pain sensations.

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, 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 Hematite, MO physical therapist will ask you questions designed to understand the cause of your neck pain. They may also assess factors including strength, flexibility, range of motion, posture, and functional ability through an examination. By serving as your dedicated Hematite, MO neck pain physical therapist, our mission is to understand the entirety of your neck pain before beginning your treatment so that we can deliver complete, safe, and effective treatment.

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

If you suffer from persistent or recurring neck pain, you are not alone. Axes understands the complex and pervasive nature of neck pain, which affects many of us in Hematite, MO and throughout the United States and we are here to help. We offer convenient, safe, proven neck pain care near Hematite, MO provided by licensed physical therapists who specialize in 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 Hematite, MO possible.

It is time for you to enjoy the activities you love and the pain relief you deserve. Our family of twelve locally owned and operated physical therapy facilities offer neck pain care of unrivaled quality in the Hematite, MO area location that is convenient for you. Experience the effect that Axes’ physical therapy care can have on your neck pain by beginning your treatment immediately. Get in touch with us today or submit an appointment request online now.