Neck Pain Sappington, MO

Neck Pain Sappington, MO. It not only causes great discomfort, but also limits and affects the movements and postures that you typically have no problem with. If you happen to be like 75 percent of us, you have experienced neck pain at one time or another. While a figurative “pain in the neck” is typically not more than a minor annoyance that you can easily disregard, actual neck pain is often complicated and serious. It is a pervasive problem that, when not promtly and properly cared for, can result in immense pain and limitations. Neck pain, the fourth leading cause of disability, makes up a significant part of the 88 billion dollars bill for yearly healthcare costs associated with neck and back pain in the US.

Do not try to ignore or push past your neck pain. If your life is affected by your neck pain, seek the right care right away. Axes Physical Therapy is the leading Sappington, MO area provider of physical and occupational therapy and have what it takes to provide the individualized and proven Sappington, MO neck pain treatment that will reduce your pain and allow you to return to what you love. To begin receiving the quality Sappington, MO neck pain care you deserve, contact us today.

Causes and Risk Factors of Neck Pain in Sappington, MO

Neck pain is a common condition that the vast majority of us will experience 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, offer support to our head, and allow us a unique combination of flexibility 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 vulnerable to pain and impairment due to overuse, injury and trauma, illnesses, and other conditions.

Common Sappington, MO Neck Pain Causes

• 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 can often subside without requiring major treatment. On the other hand, many other Sappington, MO neck pain patients need tailored care. More than half and as many as 85% of neck pain sufferers experience a recurrence of their pain within one to five years and 37% of neck pain patients develop chronic neck pain that endures more than a year.

As such a common issue, it is clear that neck pain can affect anyone in Sappington, MO. There are some indicators, however, that predicate neck pain for many. Some of these factors are:

• 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 those whose work causes them stress and unhappiness, irrespective of the industry or occupation.
• Weight – Because of the added stress on the joints and skeletal system and proportionately less muscle strength, those who are overweight or obese are more likely to experience neck pain.
• Posture – It’s such a common problem in today’s time that we have a colloquial term for it: “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 – We know that stress can wreak havoc on the body in many ways. Neck pain due to stress is more than merely carrying tension. The physiological stress response also enlarges blood vessels in the muscles, restricts neck and shoulder movement, and heightens the perception of pain.

Sappington, MO Physical Therapy for Neck Pain

Due to the complex nature of the spine and the high rate of recurring neck pain in Sappington, MO, proper care and treatment after experiencing neck pain are essential. Physical therapy is an accepted and popular treatment methods for people experiencing 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 might be needed, physical therapy is an excellent first line of defense.

Physical therapy is a powerful treatment approach for Sappington, MO neck pain that is low-risk and undisruptive. 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, Sappington, MO physical therapy treatment for neck pain relieves stiffness and pain so that you may regain normal mobility and function. Sappington, MO physical therapy patients can also benefit by stretching and strengthening the muscles related to the neck, shoulder, shoulder blade, and core, all while implementing preventative practices to avoid the risk of future pain or injury, such as posture education and changes to the work-station.

With a personalized Sappington, MO physical therapy program informed by your unique neck condition and goals, you can soon enjoy restored mobility, flexibility, strength, and range of motion. At Axes Physical Therapy, your neck pain care near Sappington, MO will be tailored to the reason for your neck pain and your priorities for managing the condition. Your dedicated Sappington, MO physical therapist may design your neck pain treatment plan to include some of these treatment methods:

• Stretching –  stretches and exercises to improve the strength and range of motion of the muscles connected to the cervical spine
• Core, shoulder, and back strengthening – conditioning to improve the strength of 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 – 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 – your physical therapist performs this manual therapy by manipulating specific joints 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 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 reduce the amount of pressure put on the neck, reduce pain, and avoid further Sappington, MO neck pain issues

   

Neck Pain Symptoms

To truly understand the nature of your neck pain and formulate the most effective treatment plan in Sappington, MO, your Axes Sappington, 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 present different symptoms and you may experience certain types of pain.

Symptoms that can help diagnose the cause of 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
• Reduced range of motion
• Difficulty sleeping
• Symptoms of pain that occur during a certain period of the day, such as 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 Sappington, MO physical therapist, they will work to understand the cause of your neck pain by asking you specific questions. In addition, they may conduct an examination designed to assess your range of motion, strength, tenderness, posture, and function. By serving as your dedicated Sappington, 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 Sappington, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

If you suffer from persistent or recurring neck pain, you are not alone. The Axes team recognizes that neck pain is a complex condition that affects many of us in Sappington, MO and throughout the United States and we are here to help. We offer convenient, safe, evidence-based neck pain care near Sappington, MO, all administered by 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 Sappington, 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. We have established a network of locally owned and operated physical therapy treatment facilities that provide neck pain care of unrivaled quality in the Sappington, 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 right away. Contact us today or submit an appointment request online now.