Neck Pain Weldon Spring Heights, MO

Neck Pain Weldon Spring Heights, MO. It is painful, greatly limiting, and it affects your ability to move in ways that you once took for granted. If you are like 75 percent of us, neck pain has affected you at one time or another. Though the figurative “pain in the neck” is typically not more than a minor annoyance that you can successfully ignore, real neck pain is a serious issue that affects so many of us and, when not promtly and properly cared for, can result in immense pain and limitations. Neck pain, the fourth leading cause of disability, accounts for a significant portion of the 88 billion dollars in annual healthcare costs for 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 care from an expert as soon as possible. As the top Weldon Spring Heights, MO physical therapy and occupational therapy facility, we can provide you with the personalized and evidence-based Weldon Spring Heights, MO neck pain treatment you need to reduce your pain and allow you to return to what you love. To discover what we can do to address your Weldon Spring Heights, MO neck pain, contact us today.

Causes and Risk Factors of Neck Pain in Weldon Spring Heights, MO

It is a fact that the large majority of us suffer from neck pain at some point in our lives. 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 it possible to execute many of the motions and tasks we do every day. As such a complex region of the body, the neck is susceptible to pain and impairment that can be caused by overuse, injury and trauma, illnesses, and other conditions.

Common Causes of Weldon Spring Heights, 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. Luckily, many of us only experience mild neck pain that can often resolve itself without the need for extensive treatment. On the other hand, many other Weldon Spring Heights, MO neck pain patients are not so lucky. Up to 85% of people who have neck pain will experience at least one more recurrence of their pain in a five-year period and 37% of neck pain patients develop chronic neck pain lasting more than one year.

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

• Occupation – Neck pain is most common among office workers, healthcare workers, and manual laborers. However, when considering the relationship between occupations and neck pain, there is an even stronger relationship between individuals who suffer from neck pain and workers who are stressed and unhappy at work, irrespective of the industry or occupation.
• Weight – Because of the added stress on the joints and skeletal system and proportionately less muscle strength, neck pain is common among people who are overweight or obese.
• Posture – We have a term for it these days: “text neck.” Poor posture is a major contributor to 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 – It is well-known that stress is hard on the body. 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.

Physical Therapy for Neck Pain in Weldon Spring Heights, MO

Due to the complex nature of the spine and the high rate of recurring neck pain in Weldon Spring Heights, MO, proper care and treatment after experiencing neck pain are essential. Physical therapy is one of the most common forms of treatment for people experiencing neck pain. The efficacy of physical therapy is supported by extensive evidence. Though it is possible in some cases that more extensive medical treament beyond physical therapy might be needed, physical therapy is an excellent first line of defense.

Physical therapy is a powerful treatment approach for Weldon Spring Heights, MO neck pain that is low-risk and undisruptive. The knowledge and technical skill provided in physical therapy help patients heal safely and completely. Weldon Spring Heights, 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. Weldon Spring Heights, MO physical therapy patients can also benefit by stretching and strengthening muscles affecting the neck, shoulder, shoulder blade, and core, while at the same time implementing preventative measures that manage the risk of future pain or injury, such as postural training and work-station adaptation.

With a personalized Weldon Spring Heights, 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. When you seek treatment with Axes Physical Therapy, your neck pain care near Weldon Spring Heights, MO will address the cause of your neck pain and your priorities for managing the condition. Your personal Weldon Spring Heights, MO physical therapist may make use of a combination of any 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 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 – creating space between the vertebrae relieves pressure and allows inflamed and irritated nerves and discs 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 regular joint function and range of motion
• Trigger point dry needling – directly targeting irritated or strained 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 – local application of heat and/or ice can reduce pain and swelling
• 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 and education on proper posture to reduce the amount of pressure and strain the neck is subjected to, helping to manage pain and avoid additional Weldon Spring Heights, MO neck pain issues

   

Symptoms of Neck Pain

To truly understand the cause and extent of your neck pain and formulate the most effective treatment plan in Weldon Spring Heights, MO, your Axes Weldon Spring Heights, MO physical therapist will examine, observe, and evaluate your condition. Pain, of course, is the primary 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. Different neck pain causes may present different symptoms and you may experience distinct pain sensations.

Symptoms that can help diagnose your neck pain are:

• Tingling sensation or numbness in the arms or hands
• Weakness in the arms
• Headaches
• Pain in 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 part 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 Weldon Spring Heights, 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. By serving as your dedicated Weldon Spring Heights, MO neck pain physical therapist, our mission is to understand the entirety of your neck pain before beginning your care to be sure that we deliver the safest and most effective treatment available.

Care for your Neck Pain near Weldon Spring Heights, 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 is familiar with just how complicated and common neck pain is–a condition that affects many of us in Weldon Spring Heights, MO and throughout the United States. We have what it takes to restore you to optimal health. As an Axes patient, you will receive convenient, low-risk, proven neck pain care near Weldon Spring Heights, MO provided 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 it possible for you to find meaningful, lasting relief from your neck pain near Weldon Spring Heights, MO.

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 the highest quality neck pain care in the Weldon Spring Heights, MO area location that is convenient for you. Discover the effect of Axes’ quality physical therapy treatment on your neck pain by beginning your treatment immediately. Reach us today or fill out an appointment request form now.