Are You Experiencing These Symptoms?
The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) estimates that one-third of the population will experience neck pain in any given year. It can worsen if left untreated, and in severe cases, surgery may even be required.
However, there is some good news: many people in Bedford, TX find relief from neck pain at Beyond Therapy and Wellness with the help of physical therapy every year!
Neck pain typically runs from the base of a person’s skull to the top of their shoulder blades and settles in the back of the neck.
The pain can vary in severity, from a constant dull ache to sharp and stabbing pains. Additionally, neck pain can sometimes include these symptoms:
- Headaches
- Numbness or tingling into the upper extremities
- Inability to fully stand up or sit up straight
- Discomfort and pain when remaining in the same position for too long
- Difficulty sleeping due to pain and discomfort
- Weakness in your arms or shoulders
- Stiffness and muscle tightness in the upper body
Common Causes Of Chronic Neck Pain
Injuries to tissues and bone are the most common reason for neck pain, however, certain degenerative conditions can also lead to neck pain.
Likewise, some common conditions that can give you pain in your neck include:
Illnesses
Certain diseases and ailments can result in this pain, such as rheumatoid cancer, arthritis, cervical spondylosis, spinal stenosis, and meningitis.
Injuries
Whiplash is one of the most common injuries that result in neck pain, typically sustained by an automobile or high-impact sports collision. Whiplash is a “strain” injury, causing the head to whip rapidly back and forth, thus affecting the soft tissues in the back of the neck.
Compressed Nerves
The nerves that branch out from your spinal cord can become squeezed if you have a herniated disc in your neck or a constriction of the foramen (the place where the nerves exit the spine). Nerve discomfort can extend from the neck to the hands and fingers in some circumstances, a disease known as “radiculopathy.”
Degenerative Joint Conditions
Conditions such as osteoarthritis can reduce the cartilage between the vertebrae in the neck. This also results in pain. Like any other joint in your body, the neck joints can deteriorate with age, causing pain.
Muscle Strains
Even something as simple as sitting at your desk all day with your neck craned toward the computer screen can cause your neck muscles to become strained by overuse. Tablets and cell phones certainly change our posture and place abnormal pressure throughout or neck and shoulders. PT can help you restore your posture and eliminate pain.