Neck pain affects the lives of millions of people every day. While it is not as common as back pain, it can still be debilitating. Let’s face it, when you cannot turn your head, you don’t want to do much of anything else either. Physiotherapy can address many types of neck pain and can help you live a more normal active life.
Causes of Neck Pain and Strain
Neck pain can be the result of both acute and chronic muscle strain. The acute muscular strain is typically the result of an accident. In the case of whiplash, for example, the head gets thrown violently and the muscles overstretch. Symptoms of whiplash can occur up to 72 hours after the traumatic event and they can include a headache, neck pain and stiffness as well as tenderness in the upper back.
The chronic muscular strain of the neck can have many causes ranging from poor posture to sitting too long at a computer. If not addressed, over time this can cause long-term damage to the joints and soft tissue. Other causes of chronic neck strain are arthritis or herniated disc in the neck, cervical stenosis, and cervical myelopathy.
How Physiotherapy is Used to Treat Neck Pain
When you come to see a physiotherapist for your neck pain, she will start by asking you questions about your health and perform a physical assessment.
Treatment is targeted toward the patient’s specific condition and will involve gentle manipulations and prescribe appropriate exercises for the patient to assist with stretching and strengthening the muscles. If lifestyle factors (such as working at a desk job) are part of the problem, the patient will be given strategies to cope with these factors.
Feel Better with Physiotherapy
Perhaps you are reading this article because you have already been living too long with neck pain. Or perhaps, you’re only now starting to feel those regular twinges in your neck and you’re wondering what you can do about it. Whatever stage you are at, the time to start feeling better is now.
The earlier you start treatment, the better your chances are of having a speedy recovery. Physiotherapy is covered by most extended employer healthcare plans. At Flexcare Therapy, our physiotherapists are trained in the latest techniques and have a high success rate in treating people with neck pain. If you are ready to get rid of that pain in your neck, call us today at 905-232-2032.