Neck Pain

Neck pain affects almost everyone at some point. Furthermore, not all neck pain is exactly the same and therefore treating it can be complicated.

Causes of Neck Pain

Neck pain can come about from a number of different injuries. Whiplash, chronic neck strain from long periods of sitting in front of a computer, pinched nerves, and degenerative diseases are just a few causes of neck pain. A very new phenomenon, ‘Text neck’, is brought on by constantly straining forward to look at our phone or tablet.

Treating Neck Pain

Treating neck pain can be complicated. A good first step is to consult with your family physician to determine whether your neck pain is due to an accident, a strain, a disease, or something else. Your physician may recommend pain medication to help address your symptoms, and this is a good start, but this doesn’t necessarily alleviate the root cause. Your physician may also refer you to a physical therapist, chiropractor, massage therapist, or physiotherapist.

Working with a Physiotherapist

Physiotherapists can work to manipulate portions of the neck, back, and shoulders. Direct manipulation can help alleviate that dull ache or sharp pain. They can also apply massage therapy which can improve blood flow and increase flexibility.

Your physiotherapist may also address your neck pain by having you complete stretches and may include back and shoulder strengthening exercises for you to complete on your own. By stretching and strengthening these areas, some forms of neck pain can be alleviated.

Treating neck pain can be complicated because recovery depends on the underlying cause of the pain.  A physiotherapist can help alleviate certain forms of neck pain by applying direct manipulation, massage therapy, and by providing stretches and exercises to strengthen the muscles supporting the neck.