Neck Pain Woodson Terrace, MO

Neck Pain Woodson Terrace, 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, you have experienced neck pain at some point in your life. While a figurative “pain in the neck” is typically not more than a minor nuisance that you can easily disregard, real neck pain is often complicated and serious. 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, accounts for a large part of the 88 billion dollars bill for yearly healthcare costs associated with neck and back pain in the US.

Neck pain should not be ignored. If your neck pain is taking a toll on your life, it is important to get care from an expert right away. Axes Physical Therapy is the leading Woodson Terrace, MO area provider of physical and occupational therapy and have what it takes to provide the personalized and proven Woodson Terrace, MO neck pain treatment you need to eliminate your pain and allow you to return to the activities you enjoy. To take the first step toward lasting neck pain relief in Woodson Terrace, MO, contact us today.

Woodson Terrace, MO Neck Pain: Causes and Risk Factors

Neck pain is a common condition that the vast majority of us will experience at least once during our lifetime. 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 afford 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 susceptible to pain and impairment due to overuse, injury and trauma, illnesses, and other conditions.

Common Causes of Woodson Terrace, MO Neck Pain

• 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 requiring extensive treatment. On the other hand, a lot of other Woodson Terrace, MO neck pain patients are not so lucky. Up to 85% of people who have neck pain will experience a pain episode within one to five years 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 Woodson Terrace, 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 – With comparatively less muscle strength and more stress on the joints and skeletal system, overweight and obese individuals are at a higher risk for 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 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.

Physical Therapy for Neck Pain in Woodson Terrace, 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 Woodson Terrace, MO. Physical therapy is an accepted and popular treatment methods for neck pain sufferers. It has been found to be highly effective in treating neck pain. 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 a powerful treatment approach for Woodson Terrace, 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, Woodson Terrace, MO physical therapy treatment for neck pain can be successful in reducing pain and stiffness while improving the range of motion needed for pain-free activity. Woodson Terrace, 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 measures that manage the risk of future pain or injury, such as postural training and work-station adaptation.

With a quality Woodson Terrace, 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 Woodson Terrace, MO will be tailored to the reason for your neck pain and your priorities for managing the condition. Your designated Woodson Terrace, MO physical therapist may make use of a combination of any 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 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 decreases 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 necessary
• Joint mobilization and manipulation – your physical therapist performs this manual therapy by manipulating specific joints to mimic normal joint and tissue movement, allowing for the gradual restoration of typical joint function and range of motion
• Trigger point dry needling – directly targeting irritated or tight 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 – a supplement to other therapy methods – things such as ultrasound therapy and electrical stimulation
• Heat and ice – local application 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 on proper posture to reduce the amount of pressure put on the neck, reduce pain, and avoid ongoing Woodson Terrace, MO neck pain issues

   

Symptoms of Neck Pain

In order to understand the cause and extent of your neck pain and design the most appropriate treatment plan in Woodson Terrace, MO, your Axes Woodson Terrace, MO physical therapist will perform an examination to evaluate your condition. Pain, of course, is the primary characteristic 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. The specific source of your neck pain may manifest various symptoms and present certain types of pain.

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

• Tingling sensation or numbness of the arms or hands
• Upper extremity weakness
• Headaches
• Pain that extends to the upper back, shoulders, arms, or hands
• Stiffness and immobility
• Increased pain when sneezing, coughing, reaching, etc
• Comparatively limited range of motion
• Difficulty sleeping
• Symptoms of pain that occur during a certain period of the day, such as in the morning or at night at bedtime

Your neck pain may be described with words such as:

• Sharp
• Stabbing
• Dull
• Aching
• Throbbing
• Tingling
• Radiating

When you meet with your Woodson Terrace, MO physical therapist, they will work to understand the cause of your neck pain by asking you specific questions. In addition, they may assess factors including strength, flexibility, range of motion, posture, and functional ability through an examination. Our goal as your Woodson Terrace, 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 provide the safest and most effective treatment available.

Care for your Neck Pain near Woodson Terrace, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

If you suffer from persistent or recurring neck pain, you are not alone. Axes is familiar with just how complicated and common neck pain is–a condition that affects many of us in Woodson Terrace, 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 Woodson Terrace, MO, all administered by 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 Woodson Terrace, MO possible.

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. Our family of twelve locally owned and operated physical therapy facilities offer neck pain care of unrivaled quality in the Woodson Terrace, MO area location of your choice. Experience the effect that Axes’ physical therapy care can have on your neck pain by beginning your treatment right now. Get in touch with us today or submit an appointment request online now.