Chronic neck pain can have a major impact on your productivity and focus, especially if you’re one of the many remote workers spending more time than usual in front of a computer screen. Fortunately, there’s a lot you can do—from massage to physical therapy—for neck pain and stiffness that won’t go away.
So, how does physical therapy work for neck pain? You’ll visit a licensed physical therapist, who will then prescribe a personalized program of exercises and stretches. The specifics will differ from person to person, but in general, a program of physical therapy exercises for neck pain is designed to:
- Reduce neck tension and allow the strained muscles to relax.
- Restore flexibility and range of motion in your neck.
- Strengthen muscles that provide support and stability to the head.
- Provide you with exercises to reduce neck strain in the future.
In severe cases, it may be necessary to combine physical therapy exercises for neck pain with other treatment plans. That said, physical therapy is an important part of the picture—and can help to solve the posture problems and muscle imbalances that contributed to neck pain in the first place.
When To Try Physical Therapy for Neck Pain
Sometimes, neck pain and stiffness can begin so gradually that it simply feels normal. However, you can always benefit from physical therapy for neck pain, even if you tend to think it’s “no big deal”—until a sudden crick stops you from turning your head for days. You should look into physical therapy exercises for your neck if:
- You are experiencing lingering, nonspecific pain in your neck.
- The soft tissues of your neck were injured, and you are now experiencing lasting pain and stiffness.
- You are recovering from a surgical procedure that has altered the movement of your neck and shoulder muscles. As your muscles are reconditioned, you may be experiencing muscles spasms along with pain and stiffness.
Physical Therapy Exercises for Neck Pain and Stiffness
Your physical therapist will typically employ a combination of passive and active treatment methods:
- Passive physical therapy reduces reduce pain and swelling without requiring any effort from the patient. Examples include icing, heat application, massage, ultrasound, electrotherapy, and others.
- Active physical therapy involves stretches and exercises performed by the patient. These targeted movements are designed to build strength and flexibility, improve posture, and reduce stress on the cervical spine.
Discover the Benefits of Physical Therapy for Neck Pain Today!
To summarize, physical therapy does work for neck pain—and it can make an immeasurable difference in your quality of life! Visit an IMPACT Physical Therapy clinic near you to learn more today. With locations in South Loop, Lakeview, Oak Lawn, Champaign Urbana, and more, we’re easy to reach from downtown Chicago and the Southwest suburbs.
