Neck Pain Leadington, MO

Neck Pain Leadington, 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 of us, you have experienced neck pain at some point in your life. While a figurative “pain in the neck” is typically not more than a mild nuisance that you can successfully disregard, actual neck pain is a serious issue. 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, accounts for a large part of the 88 billion dollars bill for yearly healthcare costs associated with neck and back pain in the US.

If you experience neck pain, do not brush it off. If your life is affected by your neck pain, it is important to get the right care right away. As the top Leadington, MO physical therapy and occupational therapy facility, we can provide you with the individualized and evidence-based Leadington, MO neck pain treatment that will reduce your pain and allow you to return to the activities you enjoy. To take the first step toward lasting neck pain relief in Leadington, MO, contact us today.

Leadington, 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 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 due to overuse, injury and trauma, illnesses, and other conditions.

Common Causes of Leadington, 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 resolve itself without the need for major treatment. On the other hand, a lot of other Leadington, MO neck pain patients experience a more serious case. Up to 85% of people who have neck pain experience a pain episode within one to five years 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 affect anyone in Leadington, MO. However, some characteristics and conditions can predispose someone to neck pain. Risk factors include:

• Occupation – The professions that most frequently experience neck pain are 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, overweight and obese individuals are at a higher risk for neck pain.
• 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 – It is well-known that stress is hard on the body. Stress-related neck pain is not simply being tense. 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 Leadington, 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 more extensive medical treament beyond physical therapy may be needed, physical therapy is an excellent first line of defense.

Physical therapy is a powerful treatment approach for Leadington, MO neck pain that is low-risk and undisruptive. The knowledge and technical skill provided in physical therapy help patients heal safely and completely. Leadington, 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. Additionally, Leadington, MO physical therapy can assist with developing strength and flexibility in the muscles related to the neck, shoulder, shoulder blade, and core, all while implementing preventative modifications that manage the risk of future pain or injury, such as postural training and work-station adaptation.

With a personalized Leadington, MO physical therapy program informed 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. When you seek treatment with Axes Physical Therapy, your neck pain care near Leadington, MO will address the reason for your neck pain and your priorities for managing the condition. Your dedicated Leadington, MO physical therapist may make use of a combination of any of the following strategies:

• Stretching –  stretching and exercising to improve the strength and range of motion of the muscles connected to the cervical spine
• Core, shoulder, and back strengthening – conditioning to make stronger the muscles that support and stabilize the cervical spine and upper body, including those in the torso, shoulders, and scapular regions
• Aerobic activity – low impact cardiovascular exercise that increase body strength and blood flow
• Traction – separating the vertebrae reduces 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 – 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 normal joint function and range of motion
• Trigger point dry needling – directly targeting irritated or tight 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 – 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 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 on proper posture to reduce the amount of pressure put on the neck, reduce pain, and avoid ongoing Leadington, MO neck pain issues

   

Symptoms of Neck Pain

To truly understand the nature of your neck pain and design the best method of care in Leadington, MO, your Axes Leadington, 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. The specific source of your neck pain may manifest different symptoms and present certain types of pain.

Symptoms that can distinguish 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 immobility
• Increased pain when sneezing, coughing, reaching, etc
• Limited range of motion
• Difficulty sleeping
• Pain that escalates during a specific 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

When you meet with your Leadington, MO physical therapist, they 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. Our goal as your Leadington, MO neck pain physical therapist is to gain as complete a picture as possible of your neck pain prior to beginning your treatment so that we can provide the safest and most effective treatment available.

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

If you are like 75% of us out there, you have lived with neck pain and you are not alone. Axes understands the complex and pervasive nature of neck pain, which affects many of us in Leadington, MO and throughout the United States and we are here to help. Axes Physical Therapy offers convenient, safe, evidence-based neck pain care near Leadington, MO provided by 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 it possible for you to find meaningful, lasting relief from your neck pain near Leadington, MO.

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 provide neck pain care of unrivaled quality in the Leadington, MO area location that is convenient for you. Experience the power that Axes’ physical therapy care can have on your neck pain by starting your treatment immediately. Contact us today or request an appointment now.