Neck Pain Josephville, MO

Neck Pain Josephville, MO. It not only causes great discomfort, but also limits and affects the movements and postures that you once took for granted. If you happen to be like 75 percent majority, you have experienced neck pain at some point in your life. While the metaphorical “pain in the neck” is typically not more than a mild nuisance that you can easily disregard, real 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. Neck pain, the fourth leading cause of disability, makes up a significant portion of the 88 billion dollars bill for yearly healthcare costs associated with 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 the right care right away. As the top Josephville, MO physical therapy and occupational therapy facility, we have what it takes to provide the personalized and evidence-based Josephville, MO neck pain treatment you need to manage your pain and get back to being able to do the activities you enjoy. To take the first step toward lasting neck pain relief in Josephville, MO, contact us today.

Causes and Risk Factors of Neck Pain in Josephville, MO

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, support our heads and bodies, 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 susceptible to pain and impairment that can be caused by overuse, injury and trauma, illnesses, and other conditions.

Common Josephville, 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. For many, that neck pain will be manageable and can often improve without the need for extensive treatment. However, many other Josephville, MO neck pain patients need tailored care. More than half and as many as 85% of neck pain sufferers experience at least one more episode in a five-year period and in 37% of those with neck pain, the condition becomes chronic, with neck pain that endures more than a year.

As such a common issue, it is clear that neck pain can affect anyone in Josephville, MO. However, some characteristics and conditions can predispose someone to neck pain. Some of these factors are:

• Occupation – Office workers, healthcare workers, and manual laborers are the occupations most likely to develop neck pain. However, when considering the relationship between occupations and neck pain, there is an even stronger relationship between individuals who suffer from neck pain and 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 – 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. 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. Stress-related neck pain is more than merely carrying tension. The physiological stress response also is responsible for  enlarging blood vessels in the muscles, restricts neck and shoulder movement, and heightens the perception of pain.

Josephville, MO Physical Therapy for Neck Pain

Due to the complex nature of the spine and the high rate of recurring neck pain in Josephville, MO, proper care and treatment after experiencing neck pain are essential. Physical therapy is one of the most common forms of treatment 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 additional treatments 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 Josephville, 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, Josephville, MO physical therapy treatment for neck pain relieves stiffness and pain so that you may regain normal mobility and function. Additionally, Josephville, MO physical therapy can assist with stretching and strengthening the muscles related to the neck, shoulder, shoulder blade, and core, all while introducing preventative measures that manage the risk of future pain or injury, like posture education and changes to the work-station.

With a quality Josephville, 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 Josephville, MO will address the reason for your neck pain and your priorities for managing the condition. Your designated Josephville, MO physical therapist may design your neck pain treatment plan to include some of the following strategies:

• Stretching –  stretches and exercises 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 gives irritated and inflamed nerves and discs an opportunity 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 the joint 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 – 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 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 to correct posture to minimize the amount of pressure and strain the neck is subjected to, helping to manage pain and avoid ongoing Josephville, MO neck pain issues

   

Neck Pain Symptoms

To truly understand the nature of your neck pain and design the most effective treatment plan in Josephville, MO, your Axes Josephville, 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. The specific source of your neck pain may present various symptoms and present certain types of pain.

Symptoms that can help diagnose your neck pain are:

• Tingling sensation or numbness in the arms or hands
• Upper extremity weakness
• Headaches
• Pain that extends to the upper back, shoulders, arms, or hands
• Stiffness and immobility
• Increased pain when sneezing, coughing, reaching, etc
• Reduced range of motion
• Difficulty sleeping
• Pain that escalates during a certain period of the day, like 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

When you meet with your Josephville, MO physical therapist, they 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 Josephville, MO neck pain physical therapist, our mission is to gain as complete a picture as possible of your neck pain before beginning your treatment to be sure that we provide the safest and most effective treatment available.

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

If you suffer from persistent or recurring neck pain, you are not alone. Axes recognizes that neck pain is a complex condition that affects many of us in Josephville, MO and throughout the United States. We have what it takes to restore you to optimal health. Axes Physical Therapy offers convenient, low-risk, proven neck pain care near Josephville, MO, all administered 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 long-lasting, complete relief from your neck pain in Josephville, MO a reality.

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 provide neck pain care of unrivaled quality in the Josephville, MO area location of your choice. Discover the effect of Axes’ quality physical therapy treatment on your neck pain by starting your treatment right now. Reach us today or request an appointment now.