Physiotherapy For Neck Pain
Contents
Does physiotherapy work for neck pain?
Whether you are a student or an office goer, almost everyone suffers from occasional neck pain and stiff neck. From bad sleeping posture, long hours of sitting or staying glued to your smartphone, the reasons can be endless. Constant neck pain and stiffness can become a hindrance in your daily life.
- Some of the other common causes of pain in the neck include: 1.
- Mental health issues and stress 2.
- Prolonged poor postures 3.
- Muscle spasm Neck exercises for neck pain Neck pain can either be acute (for a short duration of time) or chronic (long-lasting).
- When you are battling a severe pain in the neck, a doctor or a trained medical professional will often advise a series of neck exercises to get rid of the nagging pain.
Physiotherapy is often cited as one of the most successful ways to treat chronic neck pain. It can not only help you manage the symptoms in a better manner but can also help in improving the flexibility and strength of neck muscles. To help the muscles recover quickly, here are some simple physiotherapy exercises that you can do from the comfort of your home.1.
Turn your neck Slowly turn your neck towards one side and hold the posture for 5-7 seconds. Ensure that your jaw is at the same height throughout. Gently turn your neck to the other side and hold for 5-7 seconds. Repeat the exercise 5 times.2. Neck tilt It is one of the simplest exercises to get rid of neck pain.
Simply tilt your neck downwards and touch your chin to the chest. Hold the pose for atleast 5 seconds. Return to the original position. Repeat the exercise 5 times.3. Side tilt Tilt your neck sideways (towards your shoulders) and hold the position for 5 seconds.
Return your head to the centre. Tilt your neck to the other side and hold the posture for 5 seconds. Repeat the exercise atleast 5 times on each side.4. Shoulder extension Straighten up your body and make sure your posture is perfect. Push your neck forward and pull your shoulders together in alignment.
Hold the position for 5 seconds and feel the stretch on your neck muscles. Gently return to your original position. Repeat the exercise 5 times. The bottom line Do remember that if your neck pain does not go away even after a month or two, it is important to consult a licensed physiotherapist to get to the root of the problem.
On average, your neck pain should get better within 2-4 weeks. It is also important to make preventive lifestyle changes, including proper postures and keeping your smartphone on an eye-level to prevent further pain. Disclaimer : The views expressed in this article should not be considered as a substitute for a physician’s advice.
Please consult your treating physician for more details.
What will a physio do for neck and shoulder pain?
Neck and shoulder pain can be debilitating and can affect your daily activities. Physiotherapy is a form of physical therapy that can help alleviate pain and improve the function of the neck and shoulders. In this blog, we will discuss the causes of neck and shoulder pain, how physiotherapy can help, and some exercises and tips for managing pain.
- Causes of Neck and Shoulder Pain There are many causes of neck and shoulder pain, including poor posture, repetitive motions, and injury.
- Poor posture, such as slouching or hunching over, can put strain on the muscles and joints of the neck and shoulders.
- Repetitive motions, such as typing or playing an instrument, can also lead to pain.
Injuries, such as a sprained neck or rotator cuff tear, can also cause pain in the neck and shoulders. How Physiotherapy Can Help? A physiotherapist can help diagnose the cause of your neck and shoulder pain and develop a treatment plan to alleviate pain and improve function.
Shoulder blade squeeze : Sit up straight and squeeze your shoulder blades together. Hold for 5 seconds, then release. Repeat 10 times. Neck roll : Sit up straight and drop your right ear to your right shoulder. Slowly roll your head to the front, then to the left shoulder, and then to the back. Repeat in the opposite direction. Chest stretch : Stand in a doorway and place your hands on the doorframe at shoulder level. Step forward and gently push your chest forward until you feel a stretch in your chest and shoulders. Take frequent breaks : If you spend a lot of time sitting or doing repetitive motions, take frequent breaks to stretch and move your neck and shoulders. Improve your posture : Stand up straight and pull your shoulders back. Keep your computer screen at eye level to reduce the amount of time you spend looking down.
In conclusion, neck and shoulder pain can be caused by poor posture, repetitive motions, and injury. Physiotherapy can help alleviate pain and improve the function of the neck and shoulders. By incorporating exercises and tips for managing pain, you can take control of your pain and improve your quality of life.
If you are experiencing neck and shoulder pain, consult with a physiotherapist to develop a treatment plan that is right for you. Thank you for reading, Anthony Grande Registered Physiotherapist Bsc PT Anthony Grande has been a Registered Physiotherapist since 1996. His desire to help people recover from their injuries pushed him to provide better care and get involved in professional and government organizations, where he gained the opportunity to be part of roundtables with Ministers and their staff.
He specializes in medical acupuncture, sports injury recovery, and stroke and traumatic brain injury rehabilitation. Anthony devotes his personal time to his family, animal welfare, and social entrepreneurship.
Do I need a physio or chiropractor for neck pain?
How do you know the difference between a Physiotherapist and a Chiropractor? – Basically, there is a lot of overlap between the two professions. Both chiropractors and physiotherapists treat joints and musculo-skeletal problems to increase movement and strength, decrease pain and help return you to full function.
But the main difference between the two disciplines is that a chiropractor traditionally uses manipulation, where a physiotherapist will more commonly use mobilisation techniques. What is meant by Chiropractic manipulation? Chiropractors use their hands to adjust the joints of your spine and limbs where signs of restricted movement are found.
Gentle, specific manipulation techniques help to restore normal body movement. Treatment aims to make you move better and more freely.
Chiropractors treat acute and chronic low back and neck pain, sciatica, neck related and tension headaches, neck related dizziness or vertigo and extremity joint conditions, What is meant by Physiotherapy mobilization techniques? A physiotherapist will treat using a range of manipulation and massage techniques, electrical therapies and exercise to heal and restore movement.Physiotherapists treat back and neck pain, sciatica, arthritis, swelling in joints, repetitive strain injury, sports injuries and cartilage, ligament and tendon damage. It hurts, who do you choose? If your back or joints feel locked, stiff, and sore or maybe haven’t responded to other treatments, then a consultation with a chiropractor is recommended.Soft tissue problems are more commonly treated by physiotherapists as well as joint and muscular problems which are restricting movement and causing pain.Usually, a short consultation over the phone will first determine whether you are best to see a physiotherapist or chiropractor.
The first priority is to just get yourself examined professionally and your practitioner will advise which treatment is best for your condition – and refer you accordingly. Both disciplines will also give exercises and advice to help manage injuries and medical conditions.
Should I stretch my neck if it hurts?
How to prevent neck pain – To ward off neck pain, it is helpful to take inventory of your posture or daily habits that could trigger neck pain, like sitting for extended periods in positions that strain the neck during reading, TV watching, computer work, or sleeping. Attending to the cause may stop some flare-ups of neck pain at the source.
Should you rest or exercise neck pain?
Neck Exercises: Dos and Don’ts Medically Reviewed by Sanjay Ponkshe on June 03, 2023 If you have, you want to get rid of it as soon as you can. One of the ways to do that is through exercise. What should you do? More importantly, what shouldn’t you do? As long as your doctor says it’s OK, you should start as soon as possible to ease stiffness and pain.
Resting for too long, usually anything more than a couple of days, will make it harder to get moving again. Don’t if you have severe neck pain or weakness in your hands or arms. If you get it while you exercise, stop right away and call your doctor. These simple ones can help: Neck Tilt: From the sitting position, tilt your head down so your chin touches your chest.
Hold this position for 5 seconds. Return to the starting position and repeat. Do this five times. Side-to-Side Neck Tilt. From the same starting position, tilt your neck toward one, leading with your, Hold for 5 seconds and then return to the starting position.
- Do this five times on each side.
- Neck Turn.
- Look straight ahead, then turn your head to one side, keeping your chin at the same level.
- Do this five times on each side.
- Neck Stretch.
- Holding the rest of your body straight, push your chin forward, stretching your throat.
- Hold for 5 seconds.
- From the same starting position, push your chin backward and hold for 5 seconds.
Do the forward and backward stretch five times each. If any of these exercises cause severe pain or weakness in your hands or arms, stop right away and talk with your doctor. Neck pain is common but usually not serious. Your pain should ease within 2 weeks.
- Full recovery should take 4-6 weeks.
- As your neck starts feeling better, you can do more of what you’re used to.
- Even if the pain leaves, don’t stop exercising.
- You should keep doing the moves for 6-8 weeks, even if you stop hurting.
- This will help keep your neck pain from coming back.
- You can work your neck muscles like any other muscles.
Stretches work, but you can also do simple exercises like the ones below. They can improve your neck strength and your range of motion. With each of these exercises, start with five repetitions of each and see if you can build up to 10. Check with your doctor before you start.
- Rotations: Stand or sit with your back and your head squarely over your shoulders.
- Then, turn your head as far as you can comfortably to one side.
- Hold it for up to 30 seconds.
- Then turn your head to the other side, and hold it for up to 30 seconds.
- Shoulder Circles: While standing, raise your shoulders straight up and move them in a circle one way.
Lower your shoulder and repeat in the other direction. Resistance Exercises: While standing or sitting, put your left on the side of your head above your, Gently press your head against your hand while holding your head straight. Do the same thing with your right hand.
Head Lifts. Lying on the floor with your knees bent and your flat on the floor, lift and lower your head. Make sure you don’t raise your shoulders as you do this. You can also do these lying on your side and on your, can help with your neck pain. Your core is your, back, and buttocks. If your core is strong and you’re holding your head upright as much as possible, your neck won’t have to work as hard.
© 2023 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved. : Neck Exercises: Dos and Don’ts
Should you massage neck pain?
ADDITIONAL NECK MASSAGE BENEFITS – Along with relieving neck pain, receiving massage on a regular basis helps keep all your joints limber, which reduces your chances of pulling a muscle. It also improves your posture and flexibility, increases range of motion, lowers blood pressure and heart rate,encourages relaxation and relieves stress.
Do neck pains need massage?
Efficacy of Massage Therapy – Some studies have found that neck massage can provide some neck pain relief and improved range of motion, especially when performed by a trained professional a few times a week for several weeks. These results tend to be temporary.1 Nahin RL, Boineau R, Khalsa PS, Stussman BJ, Weber WJ.
- Evidence-based evaluation of complementary health approaches for pain management in the United State.
- Mayo Clin Proc.2016; 91(9):1292-1306.
- Doi: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2016.06.007.
- 2 Field T, Diego M, Gonzalez G, Funk CG.
- Neck arthritis pain is reduced and range of motion is increased by massage therapy.
- Complement Ther Clin Pract.2014; 20(4):219-23.
doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2014.09.001. While some studies have found benefits for treating neck pain and stiffness with massage, other studies have not. Further complicating matters, there are a wide variety of massage therapy types and challenges with measuring how massage therapy is applied, which can make it a difficult treatment to study.
Some research has indicated that applying a moderate-level massage is more beneficial than a light-touch massage.3 Field T, Diego M, Hernandez-Reif M. Moderate pressure is essential for massage therapy effects. Int J Neurosci.2010; 120(5):381-5. doi: 10.3109/00207450903579475. More research is needed to determine whether neck massage is beneficial for reducing chronic neck pain and stiffness, and whether the results can be sustained.
Even though massage benefits may be temporary, it may still play a role in managing painful flare-ups and helping to improve quality of life.
Should I let a chiropractor adjust my neck?
Benefits of Neck Adjustments – As long as you visit a trusted, experienced chiropractor, you can rest assured that the neck adjustments you receive are safe and effective. Here are the benefits of treating neck pain with chiropractic care:
Relieve chronic pain and stiffness at the source. Find relief without taking medication or undergoing surgery. Ease headaches, migraines, circulatory problems, and other issues caused by a misaligned cervical spine.
How many chiropractic sessions do I need for neck pain?
Common Chiropractic Adjustment Frequencies – Each injury type and personal goal will have an affect on how often you need chiropractic adjustments. However, patients can generally expect to need more adjustments in the beginning with a reduction in frequency as the goal becomes maintenance.
- To achieve maximum benefits, most injury and pain types will need somewhere between four and twelve sessions.
- Ongoing maintenance is used to prevent pain from coming back and to prevent additional injuries from forming due to a misalignment of the spine.
- A common regimen for a neck or back injury may look something like this: Weeks 1 and 2: 3-4 chiropractic adjustments each week.
Weeks 3 through 10: 2 to 3 adjustments each week Ongoing: once every two weeks for maintenance Again, this is merely a sample adjustment schedule and yours could be more or less frequent.
Can you ask chiropractor not to adjust neck?
Do Chiropractors have to Adjust your Neck? – Chiropractors do not have to adjust your neck to help you heal. There are multiple chiropractic methods that do not involve any bone popping or cracking of the neck. Holistic chiropractors believe that the body has resources within itself to heal.