The neck tends to become painful for two primary reasons:
- Traumatic onset from an incident - Following a traumatic incident, neck muscles can stay in a state of irritability and guarding. This muscle guarding can be both a result of pain and a cause of pain. Muscle guarding is one reason why neck pain can linger if not treated properly. Physical therapy works to calm these hyperactive muscles and rebuild the body’s natural support mechanisms for long term relief.
- Persistent postural strain - Prolonged or repeated activities or poor postures resulting from a lifestyle of sitting, computer use, and smartphone screens can cause persistent postural strain. This facilitates a rounded upper back and forward head posture common with many of our patients. The rounded upper back and forward head posture creates muscle imbalances. Life is lived in front of us and so many of the muscles in the chest and neck become tight and short, while the muscles in the upper back become longer and weaker.
At Premier Physical Therapy of the Upstate, we provide a comprehensive approach to correct the muscle imbalances, improve postural alignment and reduce pain.
Common conditions we help include:
- Neck Pain
- Degenerative Disc Disease
- Radiculopathy
- Disk herniation
- Stenosis
- Arthritis
- Facet Syndrome
- Myofascial pain
- Postural imbalance/weakness
- Arm numbness/tingling
- Headaches
- TMJ
