Why does my neck hurt?

It’s common to experience neck pain or the occasional stiff neck. We rely on the bones, muscles, and ligaments in our necks to support and allow motion in our heads. Pain in the neck area may be a result of an inflammation or injury caused by any number of activities or sudden movement. Sudden jerking of the head that results in neck pain afterward is commonly referred to as “whiplash.” Other causes for neck pain can include, but are not limited to playing sports, car accidents, falls, poor prolonged posture, and improper exercise technique. Physical therapy for neck pain can be a great method of treating both acute and chronic neck pain.

Possible reasons for neck pain:

  • Meningitis
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Osteoporosis
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Spondylosis
  • Pinched nerve
  • Arthritic changes
  • Bone spurs
  • Degeneration of cervical discs
  • Herniated disc
  • Ruptured or slipped disc
  • Spinal stenosis

Goals of neck physical therapy treatment:

  • Improve range of motion through neck stretches
  • Strengthen the neck muscles to offer pain relief
  • Use massage therapy to loosen the muscles

Contact us today to become a new patient and work with a physical therapist at Sunshine to work through neck rehabilitation.