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Neck pain is most prevalent among individuals aged 30 to 50. Neck pain risk factors include poor posture, obesity, smoking, repeated lifting, office and computer work and participation in sports. Several studies suggest that women are more prone to have neck discomfort.
People with neck discomfort may find it difficult to work, drive, play sports or even turn their heads. The majority of occurrences of neck discomfort do not need surgical intervention and in fact respond well to physical therapy. Physical therapists provide specific treatment plans to help individuals with neck discomfort reduce or eliminate pain, regain normal mobility, and return to their usual activities.
The form and location of your symptoms are determined by the injured tissue or structure, along with the degree of your injury.
Neck discomfort may manifest as any of the following symptoms:
Inability to rotate or flex the neck
Trouble seeing upward
Having trouble gazing behind one's shoulder
Weak shoulder and arm muscles
Muscle spasms
Neck discomfort may result in any of the following:
Neck, upper back, shoulders, arm or hand pain
Tingling or numbness in the neck, shoulders, arms or hands
Lack of strength in the arms
Increased discomfort when coughing, sneezing, reaching or sitting
Lack of capacity to stand or sit upright
Stiffness while attempting to move, or the sensation of being "stuck" in a position, such as with the head cocked to the side or bowed forward
Tense muscles
Headaches
Inability to stay in one position for an extended amount of time, such as sitting or standing
Morning or nighttime pain that’s more severe pain-related inability to sleep well
Your physiotherapist will collaborate with you to build a home exercise and therapy regimen in order to expedite your recovery. Physiotherapy can help you return to your previous lifestyle and hobbies.
A customized physiotherapy program can be successful and efficient, and help treat neck discomfort in weeks, even though the length of time it takes to recover from each ailment differs.
Your physiotherapist may recommend you:
Avoid activities which exacerbate discomfort in the neck or arms (and rest the affected region).
Stay moving about the home, avoid extended bed rest, and take many daily short walks; this movement will reduce pain and stiffness and improve your condition.
Perform simple neck motions which he or she will demonstrate. These may help alleviate neck stiffness and discomfort and restore a normal range of motion.
Apply wet heat or ice packs for 15 to 20 minutes every two hours to the afflicted region.
Use firm chairs. Soft sofas and chairs may exacerbate your difficulties.
See a physician for further services, such as medicine or medical testing.
Physical therapists work with patients to:
Relieve pain and other symptoms. Your physiotherapist assists you in understanding how to avoid or alter those actions which caused your injury so you can begin the healing process. The physician may employ a variety of therapies and technology to manage and alleviate your pain and symptoms.
Avoid surgery. In rare instances, radiculopathy may be treated surgically. But in most circumstances, a physiotherapist can build a personalized treatment plan to help alleviate neck pain (including severe radiculopathy) to help neck pain sufferers with avoiding surgery.
Improve posture. If your physiotherapist determines that bad posture has contributed to your neck discomfort, they will instruct you on how to modify it so you can recover.
Enhance motion. Your physical therapist will choose specific exercises and treatments to restore normal joint mobility. These may involve "passive" movements performed by your physical therapist, or active exercises and stretches that you execute yourself. You can do these movements at home, in the office, and before sporting events to expedite recovery and alleviate discomfort.
Enhance flexibility. Your physical therapist will evaluate whether any affected muscles are stiff and subsequently give you simple stretching exercises to undertake at home. During your physical therapy sessions, he or she may also oversee the performance of certain stretches.
Improve strength. If your physiotherapist detects any weak or damaged muscles, he or she will identify and teach you the necessary exercises to rebuild your strength and agility progressively. For neck discomfort, core strengthening or stabilization is widely utilized to restore the strength and coordination of muscles surrounding your spine.
Improve endurance. Restoring muscle endurance is vital for patients with neck discomfort. Your physiotherapist will create a schedule of exercises to help you rebuild the endurance you had before the neck discomfort began.
To learn more about the best physiotherapy for neck pain available, visit Fraser Life online or call us in Langley at (778) 278-4755 today.