Neck pain is a very common health condition. Neck pain can be caused by several factors, including:

• Muscle strain: 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 a heart attack if it persists with other symptoms like nausea, jaw pain, shortness of breath, and abnormal sweating.
• Injuries: Injuries in areas surrounding or connected to the neck may result in severe neck pain.
• Other conditions: Less common causes include meningitis, fibromyalgia, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis of the neck, spinal stenosis, infections, abscesses, and tumors.

Managing 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 such as:

• Applying ice to the neck area
• Using pain relief pills
• Gentle massage of the neck with balm
• Exercising your neck
• Consciously maintaining good posture

If after trying these remedies the pain persists, consider seeing a physical therapist or a doctor.

Physical Therapy for Neck Pain

Physical therapy is an effective way of reducing or eliminating neck pain. At Absolute Physical Therapy in Sugar Land, TX, our physical therapists will guide you through a series of neck exercises and stretches designed to alleviate chronic neck pain.

Various types of neck therapy may be employed according to the extent of the pain. These 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