What Can Be Done About Neck Pain?
Neck pain is a common complaint in the United States affecting millions of people per year. Neck pain causes are varied but can include:
- Weakness in shoulder and / or neck muscles
- Poor posture – from weakness, sitting at a desk for work, computer work
- Stress
- Injury – any injury from car accidents to slipping on a wet floor
- Aging / arthritis
Many over the counter medications will help ease symptoms; however, they do not correct the cause of the problem.
Simple Things to Help
Increase postural strength: Bring shoulder blades together and down towards your waist – while keeping shoulders away from your ears. This will help strengthen the muscles around your shoulder blade and help improve neck and head placement.
Improve ergonomics at computer: While sitting at the computer, the top two lines should be at eye level. If they are not, try bringing your computer screen up. The chair that you sit in should have a support at your low back to allow you sit upright. The chair should have an arm rest. If your legs are too short to reach the floor, a stool is nice to keep pressure off of the back of the legs (so you are not compressing nerves in your legs).
Stretching to improve flexibility: Here is a link to show some stretching and strengthening for the neck region
What Complaints Would Benefit from Physical Therapy?
- Neck pain
- Headaches
- Tingling in arms or fingers
- Burning or heaviness in arms
- Tingling or burning in jaw or face
If you continue with neck pain and headaches or have any of the other symptoms listed above – seek assistance from a physical therapist (PT). A PT can help improve your neck (or jaw) alignment as well as strengthen specific muscles in your jaw, neck, and shoulder girdle. A PT can guide you with strengthening and postural education to improve your mobility and quality of life.
If you are suffering from neck pain or would like to find out how physical therapy can help you, call us at 318-396-1969.
Monroe
West Monroe
Ruston
Shreveport
Monday-Friday
8am-5:30pm
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