Neck Pain Hopewell, MO

Neck Pain Hopewell, MO. It is painful, greatly limiting, and it affects your ability to move in ways that you once took for granted. If you are like 75 percent majority, you have experienced neck pain at one time or another. Though a figurative “pain in the neck” is typically not more than a mild annoyance that you can easily disregard, actual neck pain is a serious issue that affects so many of us and, when not promtly and properly cared for, can result in immense pain and limitations. Ranking as the number four cause of disability, neck pain accounts for a large portion of the 88 billion dollars bill for yearly healthcare costs associated with US neck and back complaints.

Neck pain should not be ignored. If your life is affected by your neck pain, seek the right care right away. As the top Hopewell, MO physical therapy and occupational therapy facility, we have what it takes to provide the personalized and proven Hopewell, MO neck pain treatment you need to extinguish your pain and return you to what you love. To take the first step toward lasting neck pain relief in Hopewell, MO, contact us today.

Causes and Risk Factors of Neck Pain in Hopewell, MO

It is a fact that the large majority of us suffer from neck pain at least once during our lifetime. 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. As such a complex region of the body, the neck is vulnerable to pain and impairment due to overuse, injury and trauma, illnesses, and other conditions.

Common Causes of Hopewell, 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 subside without requiring invasive treatment. Still, many other Hopewell, MO neck pain patients are not so lucky. Up to 85% of people who have neck pain experience a pain episode in a five-year period and 37% of neck pain patients develop chronic neck pain that endures more than a year.

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

• Occupation – Office workers, healthcare workers, and manual laborers are the occupations most likely to develop neck pain. 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 – 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 – There is a term for the poor posture so many of us spend so much time in: “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 – Stress has significant impact on the human body. Neck pain due to stress is more than merely carrying tension. 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.

Physical Therapy for Neck Pain in Hopewell, MO

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 Hopewell, MO. 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 more extensive medical treament beyond physical therapy might be needed, physical therapy is a much safer choice than surgery or medication.

Physical therapy is a powerful treatment approach for Hopewell, 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. Hopewell, 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. Hopewell, MO physical therapy patients can also benefit by developing strength and flexibility in muscles affecting the neck, shoulder, shoulder blade, and core, while at the same time introducing preventative practices to avoid the risk of future pain or injury, such as posture education and changes to the work-station.

With a personalized Hopewell, MO physical therapy program determined by your unique neck condition and goals, you will soon be able to once again enjoy your usual mobility, flexibility, strength, and range of motion. At Axes Physical Therapy, your neck pain care near Hopewell, MO will be tailored to the reason for your neck pain and your goals for recovery. Your dedicated Hopewell, MO physical therapist may design your neck pain treatment plan to include some 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 in the torso, shoulder, and scapular region that work together to support and provide stability to the cervical spine and upper extremities
• Aerobic activity – to encourage healthy blood flow and build body strength, low-impact cardiovascular exercise
• 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 normal joint function and range of motion
• Trigger point dry needling – direct targeting of inflamed or strained muscle tissue areas provides relief by releasing and relaxing 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 – things like ultrasound therapy and electrical nerve and muscle stimulation therapies can supplement other therapies
• Heat and ice – use of ice and/or heat can manage swelling and pain
• 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 on proper posture to minimize the amount of pressure and strain the neck is subjected to, helping to manage pain and avoid further Hopewell, MO neck pain issues

   

Symptoms of Neck Pain

In order to understand the nature of your neck pain and formulate the most appropriate method of care in Hopewell, MO, your Axes Hopewell, MO physical therapist must examine, observe, and evaluate your condition. Pain, of course, is the primary characteristic 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. The specific source of your neck pain may manifest various symptoms and you may experience distinct pain sensations.

Symptoms that can help diagnose the cause of your neck pain are:

• Tingling sensation or numbness in the arms or hands
• Weakness in the arms
• Headaches
• Pain in the upper back, shoulders, arms, or hands
• Stiffness and mobility limitations
• Increased pain when sneezing, coughing, reaching, etc
• Reduced range of motion
• Difficulty sleeping
• Pain that escalates during a specific part 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

When you meet with your Hopewell, MO physical therapist, they 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. By serving as your dedicated Hopewell, MO neck pain physical therapist, our mission is to gain as complete a picture as possible of your neck pain before beginning your treatment so that we can deliver complete, safe, and effective treatment.

Care for your Neck Pain near Hopewell, 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 Hopewell, MO and throughout the United States. We have what it takes to restore you to optimal health. Axes Physical Therapy offers convenient, safe, effective neck pain care near Hopewell, MOby the hands of licensed physical therapists who have dedicated their careers to treating 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 Hopewell, 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. Our family of twelve locally owned and operated physical therapy facilities provide the highest quality neck pain care in the Hopewell, MO area location that is convenient for you. Discover the effect of Axes’ quality physical therapy treatment on your neck pain by beginning your treatment immediately. Reach us today or submit an appointment request online now.