Your neck consists of vertebrae extending from your skull to your upper torso. The shock between the bones is absorbed by cervical discs.
The muscles, ligaments, and bones of your neck allow motion and offer support to your neck. Stiffness and pains in the neck may be caused by inflammation, injury, or any abnormalities.
Stiffness or pains in the neck may occur occasionally. In most cases, the cause is overuse or poor posture. Sometimes, pain in the neck may be due to injury from whiplash, contact sports, or a fall.
In most cases, neck pain may not be a serious condition and resolves in a matter of days.
Sometimes, neck pain may be a symptom of a serious illness or injury and requires the care of a doctor.
If your neck pain lasts more than a week or is accompanied by some other symptoms, then seek prompt medical attention at Enchantment Physical Therapy.
WHAT CAUSES NECK PAIN?
Stiffness or pain in the neck may occur due to several reasons. These include:
- Muscle tension and strain
- Injury
- Heart attack
- Meningitis
Other causes include:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Osteoporosis
- Fibromyalgia
- Spinal stenosis
In rare cases, neck pain may be caused by:
- Infections
- Congenital abnormalities
- Abscesses
- Spinal cancer
- Tumors
TREATMENT FOR NECK PAIN
Treatment depends on the diagnosis. Before treatment, you will be examined by physical therapists at Enchantment Physical Therapy. You may be asked to undergo imaging studies to help your doctor find out the exact cause of the pain. Based on the result, any of the following treatments may be administered:
- Heat and ice therapy
- Pain medication
- Physical therapy, stretching, and exercise
- Neck collar
- Muscle relaxants
- Corticosteroids
- Traction
- Antibiotics in the event of an infection
- Surgery in rare cases
PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR NECK PAIN
Physical therapy at Enchantment Physical Therapy helps to improve the flexibility and strength of your neck. With the help of a physical therapist in Rio-Rancho and Gallup, you will achieve these goals through active exercises. The types of physical therapy include:
- Neck stretches and exercises
- Back and core strengthening
- Aquatic exercises
- Aerobic activity
Visit Enchantment Physical Therapy today and we will help treat your neck pain.