Neck problems can cause us difficulty turning our head from side to side when driving to check your blind spots, bending our neck up and down as we do when working on our computers or looking at our cell phones. Neck problems may also cause us to have trouble sleeping and may be the cause of our headaches which can affect our ability to concentrate on our work. Neck problems are becoming more common due to our sedentary lifestyles.
It’s important to address these issues early on to help avoid the risk of it getting worse. With more advanced neck problems, you may also start having difficulty reaching in overhead cabinets for a cup or bowl, carrying or lifting book bags, purses, groceries and any heavy objects due to the impact on your shoulders. You may also experience radiating pain or numbness down into the arm or hand. Weakness is also common with neck dysfunction. In severe cases, neck weakness can, in turn, cause significant weakness into the hand making it hard to grip things or write.
Common complaints from patients who have neck problems:
- Turning to check your blind spot when driving
- Difficulty sleeping
- Headaches that can negatively affect concentration and productivity
- Inability to look down or up for a period of time which can influence computer use, reading, or daily chores.
Neck problems are most commonly associated with irritation of the nerves and muscles that surround the neck. Irritation of nerves is usually caused by abnormal pressure which leads to inflammation, muscle irritation, and radiating symptoms into the hand. We can also develop stiffness in the joints which will limit your range of motion, cause increased tightness of muscles in shoulders and neck, and pain. Weakness in your neck and upper back will also develop with neck conditions making it difficult to maintain good posture and putting even more stress on the neck and surrounding muscles and joints.
Good News! Neck problems respond well to physical therapy.
What can Physical Therapy do for You?
- Improves your posture
- decreases abnormal stress on tendons, ligaments, and nerves,
- improves your quality of sleep,
- decreases your frequency and intensity of headaches,
- resolves overall pain and stiffness
Physical therapy is a good option to improve your mobility, decrease pain, and restore function allowing you to resume your daily life.
CALL Loudoun Sports Therapy Center TODAY at 703-450-4300. Our highly trained Physical Therapists will develop an individualized treatment plan specifically for you.
CLICK HERE for more on how physical therapy can help you.
