Neck Pain

What is neck pain?

Neck pain (cervicalgia) is discomfort that affects your cervical spine –– the seven vertebrae above your shoulders that support your head.

Most people experience neck pain at one time or another, often because they sleep in an awkward position or strain their neck muscles. It can usually get better on its own. However, if the pain continues for more than a few days, treatment is necessary to prevent it from getting worse.

What are the symptoms of neck pain?

Neck pain symptoms include:

• Continuous ache
• Stabbing or burning pain
• Pain that extends into the upper back, shoulders, and/or arms
• Neck and shoulder stiffness
• Difficulty turning or tilting your head
• Pins and needles sensations

Sometimes, neck pain comes with headaches, indicating that you need treatment.

Should I visit a physical therapist if I have neck pain?

Make an appointment at Performance Therapy Institute if you have neck pain that lasts more than a week. That’s especially true if the pain is severe or happens after an injury like a fall or car accident. The sooner the team identifies the cause, the sooner you can start feeling better.

How is neck pain diagnosed?

Your Performance Therapy Institute provider reviews your medical records and asks about your symptoms, including when they started, what they feel like, and if activities like lying down or exercising make them worse.

Your provider checks your head and neck alignment and gently presses on your neck, shoulder muscles, and upper back to identify sensitive places. They also order diagnostic imaging (X-rays, a CT scan, or an MRI) to check for problems with your vertebrae, intervertebral discs, and surrounding tissues.

How is neck pain treated?

The Performance Therapy Institute team takes a holistic, integrative approach to treating neck pain. They could suggest:

• Manual therapies like massage and joint mobilization to reduce inflammation
• Exercises to strengthen your upper back, neck, and shoulder muscles
• Ice packs to ease pain and reduce or prevent swelling
• Electrical stimulation
• Laser therapy
• Postural education to improve your spine’s alignment
• Activity changes that allow the underlying injury to heal
• Bracing to take the stress off the bones, muscles, and other tissues

Most people with neck pain benefit from undergoing several treatments at once. Your provider monitors your symptoms at regular checkups and adjusts your care as needed to promote healing and prevent recurring pain.

Call the nearest Performance Therapy Institute office today to schedule neck pain treatment, or book your appointment online.