01 Jun What to Expect from Neck Pain Physical Therapy NYC
Are you experiencing uncomfortable or debilitating neck pain? Unfortunately, neck pain is extremely common- 80% of people experience neck pain in their lifetime and an estimated 50% of people experience neck pain on at least an annual basis. Neck pain can be the result of one or a combination of many different factors, including sports-related injuries, poor posture, or chronic conditions. Tension that occurs in your neck while sitting at your computer or focused on other tasks can increase your likelihood of experiencing neck pain. Neck pain can seriously impact your quality of life and can make it frustrating or difficult to perform everyday tasks such as turning your head, sitting up straight, carrying bags, sleeping, and more. For those who are experiencing neck pain, quality physical therapy is a great solution. Physical therapy can improve mobility, reduce pain, and prevent future neck pain or associated injury. In this post, we will share how physical therapy can help patients to reduce or eliminate their neck pain and what to look for in a neck pain physical therapist in NYC.
How Physical Therapy Can Help Neck Pain
Physical therapy can be an effective treatment for neck pain because it addresses the underlying cause of the pain. A good physical therapist will work with you to identify the root cause of your pain, whether it is due to poor posture, muscle weakness, decreased range of motion, strain, or a more serious chronic condition such as spondylosis or arthritis. By identifying the root cause, your physical therapist can prescribe an effective treatment plan that will reduce your risk of experiencing recurring pain.
After the cause of your pain has been identified, your physical therapist will develop a custom treatment plan tailored to your individual needs. This may include exercises to strengthen the muscles in your neck and shoulders, exercises to improve mobility, and manual therapy techniques to improve mobility and muscle activation patterns and reduce discomfort. .
In addition to these treatments, your physical therapist may also provide you with training on proper posture and body mechanics to help prevent future injury, improve muscle activation patterns, and manage your discomfort more effectively. It is critical to your progress that you not only work with a physical therapist, but that you participate actively in your healing and are consistent with exercises outside of appointments. This will allow you to make progress, increase function, and create balance within the body.
Finally, a great resource for easing neck pain outside of your 1-on-1 physical therapy sessions are online trainings and webinars from experienced physical therapists. These webinars can offer general information and tips that you may use in conjunction with resources and exercises from your physical therapist. Tonya Juge, PT, MSPT, CFMT hosts these webinars to help you with a variety of different physical pains and injuries. Click here to watch her webinar focused on neck pain!
What to Expect from Physical Therapy for Neck Pain
At your first visit to a physical therapist for neck pain, the therapist will perform a thorough evaluation to assess your condition. This may include questions about your medical history, a physical examination, and a review of diagnostic tests, such as X-rays or MRI. During an evaluation, the physical examination typically involves a physical therapist observing your movements, evaluating your muscle, fascial, joints, along with spine mobility, assessing strength and shoulder positioning, and assessing the function of your body.
Based on the evaluation, your physical therapist will develop a customized treatment plan that may include:
- Exercises to improve range of motion, strength, and flexibility in your neck and upper back muscles.
- Manual therapy techniques, such as myofascial release, joint mobilization, or manipulation, to reduce discomfort, improve joint function, and increase flexibility.
- Posture education to train proper posture maintenance when performing daily activities.
- Exercise routines that are updated consistently as the body recovers to new stages of healing.
- Long term strategies to maintain results and send you on your way to a new pain free life.
Your physical therapist will work with you to ensure that your treatment plan is tailored to your specific needs and goals.
What Can Help with My Neck Pain?
In addition to meeting with a licensed physical therapist, there are several things you can do on your own to help ease your neck pain.
Do your exercises
Physical therapist-suggested exercises including guided soft tissue mobilization, active and resisted range of motion, functional patterning and other methods are a sure way to help ease your neck pain. The best approach is to be diligent and consistent about completing these exercises. Click here for some ideas of different exercises that may help!*
Cardio helps
Did you know that non impact/ non pain-producing cardiovascular exercise, such as walking, biking, and other cardio may help with neck pain? Because your neck muscles are directly involved in respiration, cardio leads to an influx of blood and oxygen rushing to the muscles that surround your neck and shoulder area. This increase in circulation to the neck may help interrupt the guarding process and aide in recovery*
Pay Attention to Tension
Added tension in your neck and shoulders can cause your neck pain to return or get worse. Be sure to check in with your body every once in a while while you are working at a desk or doing other concentrated work to ensure you are sitting properly and are not holding tension in your neck, shoulders, back, or jaw.
Choose Tonic Physical Therapy for Neck Pain Physical Therapy in NYC
If you are looking for an exceptional neck pain physical therapist in NYC, look no further than Tonic Physical Therapy. Our team of experienced and compassionate physical therapists specializes in treating neck pain and helping our patients achieve their goals.
We offer personalized treatment plans tailored to your specific needs, and we use the latest techniques and technology to help reduce your pain, improve your function, and prevent future injury.If you are ready to take the first step towards reducing your neck pain, contact us today to schedule an appointment.
*Exercise suggestions are not to be deemed medical advice and do not substitute for an evaluation and specific treatment geared towards a diagnosis. You should see a medical professional if you are experiencing discomfort.