Neck Pain

What Causes Neck Pain?

Many people experience neck pain, and it can impact many different aspects of daily life. The causes of neck pain are varied. It often develops when the neck has insufficient muscular strength and support to control motion. In some cases, poor posture creates strain on the neck muscles, leading to pain. Neck pain can also be associated with arthritis, headaches, repetitive injuries, or trauma such whiplash caused from a car accident.

Physical therapy is often an effective non-surgical treatment of neck pain.

Symptoms of Neck Pain

  • Pain in the head, neck, shoulders, or trunk
  • Headaches
  • Neck muscle tightness and spasms
  • Radiating pain or numbness in the arms
  • Weakness in the neck, arms, or hands
  • Difficulty sleeping or finding a comfortable sleep position
  • Difficulty driving
  • Difficulty with computer work or prolonged sitting

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Common Treatments of Neck Pain

Virtual Therapy
In-Home
In-Office
  • Strengthening exercises
  • Stretching/flexibility exercises
  • Postural correction and re-education
  • Dry needling
  • Electrical stimulation
  • Ergonomics assessment/education
  • Heat/Cold
  • Cervical traction
  • Soft tissue mobilization/joint mobilization

Appropriate neck pain treatment depends on the source of the pain.  Some manual treatments, such as soft tissue or joint mobilization, can be used to reduce muscle stiffness, making movement and exercise easier.  Many patients benefit from posture education, which can help identify activities that may contribute to the problem.  Assessments of work station and car seat setups may be performed to identify and correct contributing factors.  In cases that involve arm pain, numbness, or headaches, cervical traction is sometimes used to relieve pressure on the neck.  For many patients, a comprehensive assessment is needed to identify and correct the source of the problem due to the wide range of possible contributing factors.

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How to Prevent Neck Pain

There are strategies that may help prevent or reduce neck pain, including:

  • Postural awareness and education
  • Ergonomic assessments to reduce strain related to workspace setup
  • Regular stretching and breaks
  • When speaking on the phone, hold it with your hand rather than your shoulder
  • Use small, lightweight handbags and alternate shoulders