About 80% of Americans will experience neck pain at one point in their lives or another. This staggering statistic indicates that neck pain is a very common condition to experience. Despite such a significant prevalence, most people don’t know the right treatment solution for neck pain. A number of people with this type of pain seek out solutions but still find themselves negatively impacted by the frequency and intensity of their condition. Neck pain can make routine activities difficult to carry out. For instance, it can make sitting up, lying down, turning your head and sleeping feel painful.

Are you experiencing neck pain and finding yourself struggling to get relief? Read here to learn how physical therapy may be able to help you.

What are some of the most common causes of neck pain that may require physical therapy?

• Muscle strain.

• Ligament sprain.

• Tendon strain.

• Bad posture.

• Osteoarthritis.

• Herniated disc.

• Compressed nerve(s).

• Cysts.

• Spinal stenosis.

• Sudden trauma.

What are some of the benefits that physical therapy can offer someone who experiences neck pain?

• Reducing neck pain — One of the key benefits that physical therapy can offer someone who experiences neck pain is pain reduction. Physical therapists know how to use exercise and intentional movements to reduce inflammation and pain within a patient’s threshold. They know that the source of your pain could be attributed to a variety of complex conditions that involve other regions of the body. Your therapist can help treat the source of your problem using a whole-body approach, rather than just targeting a localized symptom.

• Improving muscle strength — Another benefit of physical therapy for neck pain is that it not only can reduce pain but can also strengthen the muscles in your neck. The exercises and movements performed during physical therapy can increase muscle strength over time if performed consistently. Your physical therapist will gradually build up the strength in your neck so that you can better support the weight of your head and experience less pain and discomfort.

• Increase muscle flexibility — Increasing muscle flexibility is another added benefit of physical therapy. Muscle flexibility is just as important as strength when it comes to better supporting the neck. It’s what helps you turn your head, lift your chin and move your neck in all kinds of directions. Muscle strength is important, but it’s even more beneficial if paired with improved range of motion, which can come from PT treatment.

• Improving posture — Physical therapy can also help correct poor posture. If your neck pain is related to poor posture, your therapist will provide you with corrective action to get you sitting up straight in no time.

• Protecting the neck and spine — PT is also useful for those who have neck pain because it can protect the neck and spine. Reducing pain is important, but it’s less impactful if you’re still vulnerable to future injury or muscle weakness. At physical therapy, you’ll learn how you can take preventive measures against neck injury and muscle weakness.

Lattimore PT can help you find and treat the source of your neck pain

Our team of talented physical therapists spread across the state is dedicated to understanding the treatment that works best for you. We specialize in taking a “hands-on,” interactive approach with each of our patients to provide them with the best care possible. We love to see our patients thrive, which is why we’ll do as much as we can to help get them to that point. The physical therapists at each of our Lattimore locations take pride in their work and do their best to come to the clinic each day with a smiling face. We aim to make each physical therapy session enjoyable yet productive. The ultimate mark of success, to us, is a patient who feels positively impacted by our work. Are you ready to experience “the Lattimore way”?

Do you deal with chronic and persistent pain in your neck? You don’t have to let your neck pain determine how much you can enjoy your life. Let one of our experienced physical therapists help you manage your symptoms and relieve some of your pain so that you can enjoy the life you want to live. Reach out to one of our compassionate and professional team members today. Don’t wait to start working toward a life you love.

Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.