Neck injuries can occur for various reasons, from whiplash to sports injuries. Even a once-subtle injury can cause chronic pain, making it challenging to get through a workday. Physical therapy near me can help.
Physical therapists are medically trained to help rehabilitate the body with exercise and movement. No PT prescribes medication unless working in the military. Still, patients may use prescriptions from their primary caregiver while working through a chronic neck injury.
Regain Your Flexibility
Chronic neck pain treatment can range from massage therapy to heat and electrotherapy. The method a PT uses depends on the injury and severity of the condition. The medical professional may also prescribe specific exercises or movements.
Some treatments are more hands-on, while others are more passive. For severe neck injuries, a PT may restrict movements and limit direct contact with the patient to avoid adding any trauma. The PT and the patient may work through a series of DIY exercises until the patient’s neck is more stable and capable of more.
Through regular PT visits and commitment to home workouts, patients should notice a marked improvement in their flexibility within weeks of starting a program. While no one can specify how much improvement a patient will see because of the uniqueness of the individual and injuries, regular PT does benefit most patients.
Chronic neck pain can hinder many routine activities. For example, depending on the severity of the condition and movement restrictions, neck pain may prevent some people from driving or operating heavy machinery. Routine PT can improve ease of movement and possibly get some patients back in the driver’s seat.
Reduce Neck Pain Significantly
Chronic or sports injury physical therapy can significantly reduce neck pain. The goal of any PT is to restore movement and flexibility to the injured area. The restoration occurs because of regular and focused exercises that restretch and rebuild the muscles in the affected area.
Not all injuries will recover 100%, but improvements can occur with the help of a trained and licensed PT. The goal is to work with someone who specializes in neck injuries. While a typical PT can treat a variety of patients, many seem to prefer specializing in a specific niche of the profession.
Neck injuries and chronic neck pain are significant problems because they can interfere with a person’s day-to-day. No one should have to go through every day aching and unable to turn their head from side to side or move it up and down.
Physical therapy, with all its benefits, is worthwhile for people suffering from chronic conditions or sudden injuries. The pain relief alone can make a drastic improvement in the daily lives of chronic sufferers.
Chronic neck pain, whether the result of a sudden injury from years ago or something more recent, doesn’t have to dictate your life. With the right physical therapist, you can find a rehabilitation program that works for you. If you are ready to find relief from your chronic neck pain, contact a local physical therapist and schedule an appointment.