Neck Pain Womack, MO

Neck Pain Womack, 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 are like 75 percent majority, neck pain has affected you at one time or another. Though the metaphorical “pain in the neck” is typically not more than a mild annoyance 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, 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 life is affected by your neck pain, seek the right care as soon as possible. As the top Womack, MO physical therapy and occupational therapy facility, we have what it takes to provide the personalized and evidence-based Womack, MO neck pain treatment that will eliminate your pain and return you to the activities you enjoy. To discover what we can do to address your Womack, MO neck pain, contact us today.

Womack, 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. The intricate and beautifully complex cervical spine is a vital system that serves to protect our vital nervous system, offer support to our head, 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 susceptible to pain and impairment due to overuse, injury and trauma, illnesses, and other conditions.

Common Causes of Womack, 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 will usually subside without requiring major treatment. On the other hand, a lot of other Womack, MO neck pain patients experience a more serious case. More than half and as many as 85% of neck pain sufferers experience at least one more pain episode in a five-year period and in 37% of those with neck pain, the condition becomes chronic, with neck pain that endures more than a year.

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

Occupation – Neck pain is most common among office workers, healthcare workers, and manual laborers. But, more than the industry or title, the biggest work-related indicator of neck pain is those whose work causes them stress and unhappiness, regardless of the industry or occupation.
Weight – With comparatively less muscle strength and more stress on the joints and skeletal system, neck pain is common among people who are overweight or obese.
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 – 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 is responsible for enlarging blood vessels in the muscles, restricts neck and shoulder movement, and heightens the perception of pain.

Womack, MO Physical Therapy for Neck Pain

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 Womack, MO. Physical therapy is one of the most common forms of treatment for neck pain sufferers. It has been found to be highly effective in treating neck pain. Though it is possible in some cases that additional treatments beyond physical therapy might be required, physical therapy is an excellent first line of defense.

Physical therapy is a powerful treatment approach for Womack, 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, Womack, MO physical therapy treatment for neck pain helps you experience life without pain and regain complete range of motion. Womack, 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 implementing preventative practices to avoid the risk of future pain or injury, like posture education and changes to the work-station.

With a quality Womack, MO physical therapy program determined by 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 Womack, MO will be tailored to the reason for your neck pain and your goals for managing the condition. Your designated Womack, MO physical therapist may design your neck pain treatment plan to include some of these treatment methods:

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 strengthen 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 reduces pressure and gives irritated and inflamed nerves and discs an opportunity 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 to mimic 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 strained 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 – 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 manage 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 on proper posture to minimize the amount of pressure and strain the neck is subjected to, helping to manage pain and prevent ongoing Womack, MO neck pain issues

Neck Pain Symptoms

To truly understand the cause and extent of your neck pain and formulate the most appropriate treatment plan in Womack, MO, your Axes Womack, MO physical therapist will perform an examination to evaluate your condition. Pain is an obvious 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. The specific source of your neck pain may be expressed as 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
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 specific period of the day, such as in the morning or at night at bedtime

The types of neck pain you might experience include:

Sharp
Stabbing
Dull
Aching
Throbbing
Tingling
Radiating

Your Womack, MO physical therapist 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. Our goal as your Womack, MO neck pain physical therapist is to gain as complete a picture as possible of your neck pain prior to beginning your care so that we can deliver complete, safe, and effective treatment.

Care for your Neck Pain near Womack, 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 is familiar with just how complicated and common neck pain is–a condition that affects many of us in Womack, MO and throughout the United States and we are here to help. As an Axes patient, you will receive accessible, low-risk, evidence-based neck pain care near Womack, 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 significant, long-term neck pain relief in Womack, MO possible.

It is time for you to enjoy the activities you love and the pain relief you deserve. Our family of twelve locally owned and operated physical therapy facilities offer safe and personalized neck pain care in the Womack, MO area location of your choice. Experience the effect of Axes’ quality physical therapy treatment on your neck pain by beginning your treatment right now. Get in touch with us today or request an appointment now.