Common Conditions That Cause Neck Pain And How Physical Therapy Can Help

There are many different injuries and circumstances that can lead to neck pain. Unfortunately, neck pain can be debilitating and significantly impact your quality of life. Sometimes, underlying causes of neck discomfort or quite obvious. Other times, you may have no idea why your neck hurts or how to numb the pain. Here are some of the common conditions that cause neck pain and how physical therapy can help relieve your discomfort.

Unfortunate Neck Injuries

There are many unfortunate neck injuries that can happen as a direct result of your occupation, sports or even how you sleep at night. Here are some of the most common neck injuries people experience

Neck Sprain

Neck sprains are common after minor car accidents or sports-related injuries. They occur when neck ligaments tear. If you think you may have a neck sprain, search online for “physical therapy near me.” A good physical therapist can help you gently immobilize the neck while you heal. They can also walk you through stretches and exercises that will facilitate optimal healing.

Pinched Nerve

Most people will experience a pinched nerve at some point in their lifetime. This happens when tendons, bone or tissue push against nerves in the neck and cause discomfort. The pain from a pinched nerve can be intense and debilitating. Physical therapy can help improve your neck flexibility and provide treatments to relieve pressure on the pinched nerve.

Fractured Cervical Spine

A fractured cervical spine is rare, but very serious. It is when the neck becomes broken. This could happen after an intense accident or injury and requires emergency care. If you experience a fractured cervical spine, your doctor may recommend you undergo physical therapy after you have had time to heal from initial life-saving procedures.

Stiff Tendons and Muscles

Stiffness in the neck can be due to sleeping awkwardly or keeping the neck in a less-than-ideal position for too long. Some jobs can lead to neck stiffness, including desk jobs when the desk and chair are not set up ergonomically or the user sits all day with poor posture. Physical therapy Raleigh NC can be quite helpful for chronic stiff neck and can help improve flexibility in the tendons and muscles.

Herniated Disc

A herniated disk happens when the jelly-like interior of a spinal disc bulges outward. This can happen as a result of a sudden injury, such as a fall. But most commonly, it’s a result of continuous wear and tear on the body. Herniated discs can cause significant neck pain. Neck physical therapy may help relieve discomfort by stretching and strengthening the neck to relieve pressure and pain.  

Other Common Causes Of Neck Pain

Other common causes of neck pain include poor posture, osteoarthritis and physical strain. It’s important to understand the underlying cause of your pain so that you can determine what treatments to receive. Your physical therapist can perform a thorough examination to diagnose what’s causing your neck discomfort. They will also be able to recommend treatments to help restore comfort, flexibility and strength in your neck so you don’t have to live with chronic neck pain.