Many people suffer from neck pain, which is one of the most common types of pain. The Arthritis Foundation estimates that 70 percent of people will experience neck pain at some point in their lives. It doesn’t matter if you spend several hours a day hunched over a desk or an athlete who has frequently tense and strained muscles from playing in the game, anyone can develop neck discomfort over time.
You can, however, get most chronic neck conditions under control with the help of experienced physiotherapists. There are many different kinds of physical rehabilitation therapies for neck pain, so it is important to understand which are best for your situation. Here are five strategies for making the most of your upcoming physiotherapy session.
First, Ask Questions
Before you settle in for your therapy session, there are a couple of questions you should ask your physiotherapist to help you get the best out of your session. Inquire about the treatment plan you’ll be receiving, also the time that you’ll be expected to continue with the therapies.
Additionally, make sure to inquire about any type of negative effects that can occur from the different treatments, along with what to do if there are any kind of complications. By asking these questions up front, you can prevent any misunderstandings or surprises later on as well as make sure that you’re receiving the most effective treatment available.
It’s also a great plan to find out what to expect during your treatment.
Common Conditions and Causes for Neck Pain:
- Neck muscle spasm
- Poor muscle strength
- Musculoskeletal conditions
- Core instability
- Joint mobilization issues
- Soft tissue injuries of the neck
- Arthritis pain
- Disc degeneration
- Other degenerative disc diseases
- Cervical spine disc herniation
- Cervical spine disc injuries
- Fractured joints affecting neck posture
- Personalized Exercise Programs
Physical rehabilitation treatments for neck discomfort include flexing exercise therapy, which is among the most effective. As well as strengthening your muscles, this type of physiotherapy also improves your flexibility and posture. Stretching workouts are not a one-time treatment for neck discomfort, but a long-term solution. The exercises can be done at home, or your physiotherapist can suggest exercises that you can do while you’re at work or on the go. You can improve your overall health and wellness with extending workouts if you suffer from neck pain due to poor posture. Performing these exercises consistently can help prevent future bouts of neck discomfort and additionally improve your quality of life.
- Choose Massage Therapy
Massage therapy can also be helpful for neck discomfort. Different manual therapy techniques, active release techniques, and hands-on techniques such as spinal manipulation can help ease any type of tension in your neck and shoulders, improving range of motion and boosting blood flow. Getting a massage can be particularly beneficial if you’ve been experiencing neck pain for a long time.
Shoulder pain can also be treated with massages. A massage can help you feel much less limited in your daily activities if you experience shoulder discomfort when you’re bent over at the desk or when playing recreational activities.
- Hot and Cold Therapy
While hot and cold therapy can be beneficial for a variety of injuries, they are significantly valuable for dealing with neck pain. Depending upon the root cause of your pain, your physiotherapist may suggest that you make use of heating or ice. For instance, if your pain is triggered by muscular tissue tightness or inflammation, an ice bag might be strongly recommended. If your discomfort is caused by a pinched nerve, a heating pack might be advised, considering that heat can serve to help to loosen up your muscle mass and also lower any kind of inflammation in the area. Some people with chronic discomfort find that alternating between heat and cold treatment at different intervals helps to maintain their pain from escalating. It is essential to consult with your physiotherapist concerning the advantages of each kind of treatment and when to make use of everyone most successfully.
- Ultrasound or TENS Therapy
A TENS treatment might be recommended by your physiotherapist if you have been suffering from persistent pain for a long time. This kind of therapy uses electrodes to deliver low-voltage electrical currents through your muscle mass, which can help to loosen them. Your physiotherapist may place electrodes on your back or neck depending on where your discomfort lies. While TENS therapies can be quite effective, they’re normally used as a last option if various other sorts of treatment have failed to deliver any alleviation. These treatments do not have a long-lasting effect, but while on the therapy you can stay clear of discomfort in your neck and boost your overall wellness.
- Acupuncture
If you have neck pain, acupuncture or acupressure may help reduce tension in your muscles and improve blood flow. Acupuncture is typically used for persistent discomfort, whereas acupressure is usually used for short-term discomfort.
Last Thoughts
There are a variety of physiotherapy treatments available at Fanti + Associates Physiotherapists to relieve neck pain. You can get a customized treatment plan by explaining your discomfort to our physiotherapist.
A physiotherapist can suggest therapies such as stretching exercises, massage treatment, heat and cold therapy, acupuncture and acupressure, TENS therapy, and even more, depending on your discomfort. Get rid of neck discomfort once and for all by calling today.