Neck Pain Webster Groves, MO

Neck Pain Webster Groves, MO. It is painful, greatly limiting, and it affects your ability to move in ways 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. While a metaphorical “pain in the neck” may just be a minor annoyance that you can successfully disregard, real neck pain is a serious issue that affects so many of us and can lead to significant pain and loss of function if not treated promptly and thoroughly. Ranking as the number four cause of disability, neck pain makes up a large portion of the 88 billion dollars in annual healthcare costs for US neck and back complaints.

Neck pain should not be ignored. If your neck pain is taking a toll on your life, seek care from an expert right away. Axes Physical Therapy is the leading Webster Groves, MO area provider of physical and occupational therapy and have what it takes to provide the individualized and evidence-based Webster Groves, MO neck pain treatment that will eliminate your pain and allow you to return to the activities you enjoy. To begin receiving the quality Webster Groves, MO neck pain care you deserve, contact us today.

Causes and Risk Factors of Neck Pain in Webster Groves, 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, offer support to our head, and allow us the flexibility and range of motion that make many activities and tasks possible. However, this intricate arrangement also makes the neck vulnerable to pain and impairment due to overuse, injury and trauma, illnesses, and other conditions.

Common Causes of Webster Groves, MO Neck Pain

• Sprains and strains
• Arthritis
• Direct trauma
• Injuries
• Joint degeneration
• Inflammation
• Infection
• Bulging disc

  

• Pinched nerve
• Surgery

At some point in our lives, an estimated 75% of us will suffer from some type of neck pain. Luckily, many of us only experience mild neck pain that can often subside without requiring invasive treatment. Still, many other Webster Groves, MO neck pain patients are not so lucky. Up to 85% of people who have neck pain experience a episode in a five-year period and 37% of neck pain patients develop chronic neck pain that persists beyond one year.

Neck pain is a prevalent problem that can clearly happen to anyone in Webster Groves, MO. However, there are certain risk factors that make an individual more susceptible to neck pain. Risk factors for neck pain 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, regardless of the industry or occupation.
• Weight – Because of the added stress on the joints and skeletal system and proportionately less muscle strength, 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. Neck pain due to stress is more than merely carrying tension. 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 Webster Groves, MO

Due to the complex nature of the spine and the high rate of recurring neck pain in Webster Groves, 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. The efficacy of physical therapy is supported by extensive evidence. Though in some cases more extensive medical treament beyond physical therapy might be needed, 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 Webster Groves, MO neck pain. The knowledge and technical skill provided in physical therapy help patients heal safely and completely. Webster Groves, MO physical therapy makes use of hands-on manual therapies, exercise, and education. A treatment plan using a combination of these strategies relieves stiffness and pain so that you may regain normal mobility and function. Additionally, Webster Groves, MO physical therapy can assist with stretching and strengthening 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 personalized Webster Groves, MO physical therapy program designed to your individual neck condition and goals, you can soon enjoy restored mobility, flexibility, strength, and range of motion. At Axes Physical Therapy, the care we provide for your neck pain care near Webster Groves, MO will be tailored to the reason for your neck pain and your goals for recovery. Your personal Webster Groves, MO physical therapist may design your neck pain treatment plan to include some of the following strategies:

• 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 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 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 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, which allows the muscles to reclaim their range of motion
• Massage – manual manipulation and massage of soft tissue and trigger points that helps release tension
• 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 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 minimize the amount of pressure and strain the neck is subjected to, helping to manage pain and prevent additional Webster Groves, MO neck pain issues

   

Symptoms of Neck Pain

To truly understand the nature of your neck pain and design the most effective treatment plan in Webster Groves, MO, your Axes Webster Groves, MO physical therapist will perform an examination to evaluate your condition. Pain, of course, is the primary indicator 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. Different neck pain causes may be expressed as different symptoms and you may experience certain types of pain.

Symptoms that can distinguish 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
• Sleeping problems
• Pain that escalates during a certain time 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 Webster Groves, MO physical therapist, they will ask you questions designed to understand the cause of your neck pain. In addition, they may conduct an examination designed to assess your range of motion, strength, tenderness, posture, and function. Our goal as your Webster Groves, MO neck pain physical therapist is to gain as complete a picture as possible of your neck pain before beginning your treatment so that we can deliver the safest and most effective treatment available.

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

If you suffer from persistent or recurring neck pain, you are not alone. Axes understands the complex and pervasive nature of neck pain, which affects many of us in Webster Groves, MO and throughout the United States. We have what it takes to restore you to optimal health. Axes Physical Therapy offers accessible, low-risk, evidence-based neck pain care near Webster Groves, MOby the hands of 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 significant, long-term neck pain relief in Webster Groves, MO possible.

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 offer neck pain care of unrivaled quality in the Webster Groves, MO area location of your choice. Discover the effect that Axes’ physical therapy care can have on your neck pain by beginning a treatment program immediately. Get in touch with us today or request an appointment now.