Pain in the neck is a very common health condition. It can be caused by several things some of which include:
Muscle strain: Muscle strains can be caused by bad posture, sleeping with the neck in an awkward position, sudden jerks of the neck, and many others.
Heart attack: Neck pain can be a symptom of heart attack if it persists with some other symptoms like nausea, jaw pain, short breaths, and abnormal sweating.
Injuries: if you have had a fall or injuries in areas surrounding or connected to the neck, it may result in severe neck pain.
Other conditions: other less common causes include meningitis, fibromyalgia, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis of the neck, spinal stenosis, infections, abscesses, and tumors.
Management of neck pain
The primary goal of physical therapy in the management of neck pain is to enhance the flexibility and strength of the neck.
For mild neck pain, you can try home remedies like:
- applying ice to the neck area
- Using pain relief pills
- Gentle massage of the neck with balm
- Exercising your neck
- Conscious maintenance of good posture.
If after trying all these and the pain persists, you should consider seeing a physical therapist or a doctor.
Physical Therapy for Neck pain
Physical therapy is an effective way of reducing or getting rid of neck pain. You might want to get professional physical therapy in Sugar Land, TX, as our physical therapists will take you through a series of neck exercises and stretches that will reduce or eliminate your chronic neck pain.
Various types of neck therapy may be employed according to the extent of the pain. Some of such therapies include:
- Water therapy
- Low impact aerobic exercises
- Neck stretches
- Core body strength exercises
These exercises will help you to increase neck flexibility and strength. After undergoing these treatments, it is advisable to continue the exercises at home to maintain the results.
It is important to note that certain more serious causes of neck pain such as conditions affecting the cervical spine may not allow for some of these exercises. In such cases, endeavor to see a doctor.
Signs that you should see a doctor
Physical therapists at Absolute Physical Therapy in Sugar Land, TX advise that you see your doctor when you experience some of these symptoms:
- Constant headache
- Lump in the neck
- Severe neck ache
- Stiffness in the neck
- Swollen glands