Neck Pain
Neck pain may be a result of an acute or chronic injury resulting in inflammation or degeneration of the cervical spine. Sudden jerking of the head that can occur in car accidents may result in neck pain, commonly referred to as “whiplash.”
You may experience neck pain after playing sports, car accidents, falls, poor prolonged posture, and improper exercise technique.
Causes of neck pain:
• Osteoarthritis and bone spurs
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Osteoporosis
• Fibromyalgia
• Spondylosis
• Pinched nerve
• Degeneration of cervical spine discs
• Herniated or bulging discs
• Spinal stenosis
Goals of neck physical therapy treatment:
• Improve range of motion.
• Strengthen the neck muscles
• Use massage therapy and other modalities to loosen the muscles
• Reduced referred pain to upper extremities.