Physical Therapy for Neck Pain Relief
One of the most widely used forms of treatment for persistent neck pain is physical therapy. In order to start an exercise programme for neck strengthening and stretching, the majority of physical therapy programmes for neck discomfort entail applying therapies to reduce pain and/or stiffness. Physical therapy procedures might differ from person to person, including the precise techniques and exercises performed, as well as the length of the treatment schedule.
Objectives of Physical Therapy for Neck Pain
The following objectives are frequently included in physical therapy for neck pain:
- Minimize pain and stiffness
- Amplify the range of motion in the neck and head
- Create a dynamic neck strengthening program that includes the supporting muscles.
- Identify methods for preventing pain from reoccurring
Physical treatment may be crucial in enhancing neck posture and function for daily activities, even if pain cannot be completely eliminated.
When Physical Therapy May Be Required
Various situations, including the following, may require neck physical therapy:
- Undefined chronic pain: It might be challenging to pinpoint the precise cause or mechanism of neck pain when it persists or continues to occur. Strengthening the neck muscles could benefit the cervical spine’s support and pain tolerance even in the absence of a diagnosis.
- Recovering from an injury: Whiplash is one type of injury that can harm the soft tissues and joints of the neck, causing discomfort and/or stiffness that can continue for weeks or even longer. A physical therapy training regime can alleviate pain and assist in restoring normal neck function.
- Post-Operative Recovery: There may be substantial pain and stiffness in the weeks and months that follow some neck surgeries. When two or more cervical vertebrae are fused during an anterior cervical discectomy with fusion (ACDF) surgery, for instance, the movement of several neck and upper back muscles may be altered. As the muscles are reconditioned in these circumstances, physical therapy may assist to work through stiffness, improve neck function, and diminish or prevent painful spasms.
As part of a bigger treatment plan for other diseases or chronic ailments, for example, physical therapy for the neck may be advised in other situations as well.
When physical therapy for neck pain should be avoided
Physical therapy may occasionally fail to relieve neck pain or possibly make it worse. If any of the following apply, physical therapy is normally not advised for chronic neck pain:
- Severe spinal instability: When a vertebral bone is fractured, spinal degeneration compresses the spinal cord or a nerve root, or both, the cervical spine may not be stable enough for exercise. Before commencing physical treatment in such circumstances, the spine must be stabilized to prevent additional injury.
- Severe underlying medical condition: If a tumor or infection is the source of neck pain, the underlying problem must be treated first. Exercises, for instance, won’t help shrink a malignant tumor that is causing neck pain and may instead make the issue worse by making it grow
There may be further justifications for not recommending physical therapy, such as when a patient’s body wouldn’t respond favorably to the therapy.
Techniques of Physical Therapy Treatment
Two popular types of physical therapy are:
- Passive physical therapy: Physical therapy that is administered to patients without their active engagement. There are many different treatment options, including the use of cold packs, heat therapy, massage therapy, ultrasound, electrotherapy, and others. Passive physical therapy aims to aid in the reduction of pain and swelling.
- Active physical therapy: Involves the patient moving their own body while performing stretches and exercises. Strengthening and extending the neck muscles may make them less painful and better able to hold the head upright, relieving pressure on the cervical spine.
Physical therapy for neck pain may commence with more passive therapies, but as time goes on, active treatments are likely to become more and more prevalent.
