Got a pain in the neck? You’re not alone. Neck pain is one of the more common musculoskeletal complaints worldwide–right up there with lower back pain. And as with most musculoskeletal pain, the best way to address it is to attack neck pain at its source. By identifying the causes of neck pain, physiotherapy at Stride Sports & Physiotherapy can help you find relief!
Consider Angela’s story. When she was in her mid-50s, she began experiencing persistent neck pain. At first, she figured her working environment caused it–Angela was an administrative assistant who spent all day on the computer–and made some ergonomic adjustments on her own. But the pain persisted.
Eventually, it became bad enough that Angela struggled to sleep. She took over-the-counter pain medication, but it did little to provide relief. Frustrated, she scheduled a visit to her local physiotherapist to see if they could help.
Like all physiotherapists, Angela’s therapist conducted a thorough assessment to help her understand Angela’s condition. She discovered that Angela had developed cervical osteoarthritis–arthritis of the neck. Degenerative changes in Angela’s neck cartilage and vertebral discs had caused her pain.
It was only when Angela’s physiotherapist began treating her osteoarthritis that Angela started to find relief. Now, she has the tools she needs to manage her pain effectively. Her sleep is uninterrupted, and she no longer needs to depend on pain medication.
If, like Angela, you want to tackle your neck pain for good, visiting Stride Sports & Physiotherapy is the first, crucial step. Our physiotherapists will help you uncover the source of your neck pain and provide solutions for addressing it.
Call us today to learn more!
The Different Symptoms of Neck Pain
“Neck pain” is a broad concept. The pain itself can vary in intensity, sensation, and location depending on the underlying cause. It can also exist alongside additional symptoms, some of which may not seem neck-related at all. Correctly identifying and describing your neck pain will help our physiotherapists better understand what might be causing it.
One major accompanying symptom of neck pain is loss of neck mobility. You might struggle to bend or rotate your neck, look overhead, or look over your shoulder. Or your neck may feel “stuck” in a particular neck position (i.e., your head tilting to the side) because your neck is so stiff.
You may also experience pain elsewhere, especially throughout your upper extremities: your shoulders, arms, and hands. Or the pain may radiate down to your upper back. Some people also experience cervicogenic headaches–a headache that starts in your neck and then spreads to the back of your head and around your eye.
Finally, look for different neck pain patterns and other symptoms that might not seem completely related. Sharing them with your physiotherapist makes it easier for us to solve the mystery of your neck pain:
- Muscle weakness, particularly in your arms and hands,
- Muscle tightness, particularly in the upper back and shoulders
- Numbness in your neck, shoulders, arms, or hands
- Difficulty remaining in one position for too long due to pain
- Difficulty standing or sitting up straight
- Pain that worsens in the morning or at night
- Sleep difficulties due to pain
When you come in for your appointment, our therapists will carefully review your symptoms and conduct various movement screens to help us understand the source of your pain. That way, we can develop the best care plan for your needs.
The Causes of Neck Pain: Physiotherapy’s View
Once our therapists understand the symptoms of your neck pain, we can work on identifying the underlying cause. Many conditions and lifestyle factors can contribute to neck pain. Here are a few of the most common:
- Poor Posture: Sometimes, the cause is simple. Poor postural habits like slouching or hunching strain your neck’s muscles, ligaments, and vertebrae, leading to pain. Often, you can manage this type of pain with lifestyle changes, such as moving more or designing a more ergonomic workspace.
- Disc Bulges or Herniations: Nestled between each of your spinal vertebrae is a soft, cushiony disc that protects your spinal joints. But if those discs bulge or herniate and irritate the surrounding nerves, it can lead to pain. Disc issues in your cervical spine are the most common source of neck pain for most people.
- Disc Degeneration: Neck pain can also result from the degeneration of the neck’s vertebral discs and protective tissue, either due to aging or an underlying condition like osteoarthritis. As the discs dry out, they provide less cushioning between vertebrae, leading to pain.
- Whiplash and Other Soft Tissue Injuries: Soft tissue injuries refer to damage to the muscles, tendons, or ligaments in your neck. Whiplash is probably the most common example. It occurs when the head is jerked forward and backward beyond its normal range of motion, overstraining or tearing your neck’s soft tissue.
How Physiotherapy Addresses the Causes of Neck Pain
At Stride Sports & Physiotherapy, we offer several approaches to managing or even resolving neck pain. We pull from these approaches to create customized plans for all of our patients based not only on the underlying causes of the neck pain but also their symptoms, ability levels, and overall goals. Here are a few of the techniques we might try:
- Manual therapy: This hands-on treatment technique involves manipulating your neck’s joint or soft tissue to help reduce your pain and improve mobility.
- Therapeutic Exercise: Improving the strength, endurance, and mobility of your neck’s muscles is vital to restoring your neck’s full function. We’ll provide you with a targeted exercise program and ensure you complete all movements correctly.
- Posture Corrections: If posture is an issue, we’ll provide you with strategies for improving your posture throughout the day, including ergonomic adjustments and tips for remaining mindful of your neck’s alignment.
No matter the causes of neck pain, physiotherapy can provide salutations that fit your needs and help you find the relief you’re looking for!
Schedule an Appointment To Get Started!
Ready to say goodbye to neck pain? Request an appointment with one of our Edmonton-based physiotherapists today!
