Neck Pain Oakville, MO

Neck Pain Oakville, 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 one time or another. Though the figurative “pain in the neck” may just be a mild annoyance that you can successfully disregard, actual neck pain is often complicated and serious 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 makes up a significant part of the 88 billion dollars bill for yearly healthcare costs associated with US neck and back complaints.

If you experience neck pain, do not brush it off. If your neck pain is taking a toll on your life, it is important to get care from an expert right away. As the top Oakville, MO physical therapy and occupational therapy facility, we have what it takes to provide the individualized and evidence-based Oakville, MO neck pain treatment you need to reduce your pain and allow you to return to the activities you enjoy. To begin receiving the quality Oakville, MO neck pain care you deserve, contact us today.

Causes and Risk Factors of Neck Pain in Oakville, MO

Neck pain is a common condition that the vast majority of us will experience 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 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 due to overuse, injury and trauma, illnesses, and other conditions.

Common Oakville, 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 will usually improve without the need for major treatment. Still, many other Oakville, MO neck pain patients experience a more serious case. 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 endures more than one year.

As such a common issue, it is clear that neck pain can happen to anyone in Oakville, MO. However, some characteristics and conditions can predispose someone to neck pain. Risk factors include:

• 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, irrespective of the industry or occupation.
• Weight – With comparatively less muscle strength and more stress on the joints and skeletal system, those who are overweight or obese are more likely to experience neck pain.
• 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 accelerate disc degeneration and cause pain in the neck, throughout the back, and in other joints.
• 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 enlarges blood vessels in the muscles, restricts neck and shoulder movement, and heightens the perception of pain.

Physical Therapy for Neck Pain in Oakville, 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 Oakville, MO. Physical therapy is one of the most common forms of treatment for patients suffering from neck pain. The efficacy of physical therapy is supported by extensive evidence. Though in some cases more extensive medical treament beyond physical therapy may be required, physical therapy is a much safer choice than surgery or medication.

Physical therapy is a powerful treatment approach for Oakville, 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. Oakville, MO physical therapy makes use of hands-on manual therapies, exercise, and education. A treatment plan using a combination of these strategies can be successful in reducing pain and stiffness while improving the range of motion needed for pain-free activity. Oakville, MO physical therapy patients can also benefit by developing strength and flexibility in the muscles related to the neck, shoulder, shoulder blade, and core, all while introducing preventative practices to avoid the risk of future pain or injury, like postural training and work-station adaptation.

With a quality Oakville, MO physical therapy program informed by your individual neck condition and goals, you can soon enjoy restored mobility, flexibility, strength, and range of motion. When you seek treatment with Axes Physical Therapy, your neck pain care near Oakville, MO will be tailored to the cause of your neck pain and your priorities for recovery. Your designated Oakville, MO physical therapist may make use of a combination of any 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 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 – to encourage healthy blood flow and build body strength, low-impact cardiovascular exercise
• Traction – separating the vertebrae relieves pressure and allows inflamed and irritated nerves and discs to heal
• Postural correction – training and demonstration to develop better posture, supplementing with modification devices like lumbar support cushions when appropriate
• 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, allowing for the gradual restoration of normal 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 – manual manipulation and massage of soft tissue and trigger points that helps release tension
• Therapeutic modalities – a supplement to other therapy methods – things such as ultrasound therapy and electrical stimulation
• Heat and ice – use of heat and/or ice can reduce 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 to correct posture to reduce the amount of pressure and strain the neck is subjected to, helping to manage pain and avoid further Oakville, MO neck pain issues

   

Neck Pain Symptoms

In order to understand the nature of your neck pain and design the best method of care in Oakville, MO, your Axes Oakville, MO physical therapist will perform an examination to evaluate your condition. Pain is an obvious symptom 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 present various symptoms and present distinct pain sensations.

Symptoms that can distinguish the cause of your neck pain are:

• Tingling sensation or numbness 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
• Comparatively limited range of motion
• Difficulty sleeping
• Symptoms of pain that occur at a certain period 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

Your Oakville, MO physical therapist will work to understand the cause of your neck pain by asking you specific questions. They may also assess factors including strength, flexibility, range of motion, posture, and functional ability through an examination. By serving as your dedicated Oakville, MO neck pain physical therapist, our mission is to gain as complete a picture as possible of your neck pain prior to beginning your treatment so that we can provide complete, safe, and effective treatment.

Care for your Neck Pain near Oakville, 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 Oakville, MO and throughout the United States and we are here to help. As an Axes patient, you will receive convenient, safe, effective neck pain care near Oakville, MOby the hands of licensed physical therapists which advanced degrees and training in the treatment of the spine. It is our patient-centered philosophy, dedicated approach to our patients, and the talented physical therapists in our practice that make long-lasting, complete relief from your neck pain in Oakville, MO a reality.

It is time that you were able to live pain-free and with the freedom to do the activities you enjoy. We have established a network of locally owned and operated physical therapy treatment facilities that offer safe and personalized neck pain care in the Oakville, MO area location that is convenient for you. Experience the power that Axes’ physical therapy care can have on your neck pain by beginning your treatment promptly. Get in touch with us today or submit an appointment request online now.