SOS-Physiotherapy-Elmira-Waterloo-Kitchener-ON

Neck Pain

Life Doesn’t Have to be a Pain in the Neck!

Are you looking for neck pain relief? Neck pain can cause debilitating and extremely uncomfortable sensations, especially if the pain stretches from your neck down to your shoulders. According to the American Physiotherapy Association (APTA), approximately one-third of the population will experience neck pain in any given year. It can get worse if left untreated, and in severe cases, surgery may even be needed.

Your neck is an integral area of everyday movement, and sharp pains can prevent you from functioning properly in your day-to-day life. Whether your neck pain presents difficulty when trying to sit up straight in your chair at work or tilting your head down to tie your shoes, physiotherapy can help give you relief. Many people are able to find relief from their neck pain every year through the help of physiotherapy. Our Kitchener, Elmira, and Northfield, ON physiotherapy practice is dedicated to providing you with the neck pain relief you need.

neck-pain-relief-SOS-Physiotherapy-Elmira-Waterloo-Kitchener-ON

Understanding neck pain:

There are a number of reasons why neck pain may occur. When you experience neck pain, it typically can run from the base of your skull to the top of your shoulder blades, finally settling in the back of the neck. The pain may vary in severity, from a constant dull ache to sharp and stabbing pains. Neck pain can sometimes include additional symptoms, including but not limited to:

  • Stiffness and muscle tightness in the upper body
  • Numbness or tingling into the upper extremities
  • Headaches
  • Discomfort and pain when remaining in the same position for too long
  • Arm weakness
  • Loss of sleep due to pain and discomfort
  • Inability to fully stand up or sit up straight

Common conditions causing neck pain:

Neck pain is most commonly caused by an injury to the tissues or bone structures in the neck; however, certain degenerative conditions can also lead to neck pain. Some common conditions that give you a pain in your neck include:

  • Injuries. Whiplash, typically sustained by an automobile or high-impact sports collision,  is one of the most common injuries that results in neck pain. This is known as a “strain” injury, causing the head to whip rapidly back-and-forth, thus affecting the soft tissues in the back of the neck.
  • Illnesses. Certain diseases and ailments can result in neck pain, such as rheumatoid arthritis, meningitis, or cancer.
  • Nerve compression. If you have a herniated disc in your neck, or narrowing of the foramen (space where the nerves exit the spine), the nerves that branch out from your spinal cord can become compressed. In some cases, nerve pain can even extend from the neck all the way down to the hands and fingers — a condition known as “radiculopathy.”
  • Muscle strains. The muscles in your neck can become strained by overuse. Even something as simple as sitting at your desk all day with your neck craned toward the computer screen can lead to a strain in your neck muscles.
  • Joint degeneration. Much like any other joint in your body, the neck joints can erode with age, causing pain. Conditions such as osteoarthritis can also reduce the cartilage between the vertebrae in the neck, also resulting in neck pain.

Whiplash

Whiplash is a very common cause of neck pain that we get asked bout a lot. Have you ever experienced whiplash? If so, then you know just how painful this sudden condition can be. Mayo Clinic defines whiplash as “a neck injury due to forceful, rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck, like the cracking of a whip.” Ouch!

Most of the time, people with whiplash recover within a few weeks through the help of exercise and medication, but this is not always the case. If you’ve been injured and developed whiplash, you may have chronic neck pain or other underlying complications. 

Physiotherapy at SOS Physiotherapy can help relieve your pain and discomfort, and strengthen your muscles to avoid future neck injuries. To learn more about our therapeutic methods for whiplash, call our clinic today.

Causes of Whiplash

Whiplash can be very painful and restrict movement. The sudden movement of the neck and head in a car accident can cause whiplash. Whiplash can also result in damage to the spine, disks between the bones, ligaments, muscles, nerves, and tissues in the neck as well.

Common causes of whiplash are:

  • Neck injuries received from an auto accident, such as rear ending
  • Sports-related accidents
  • Falls

Symptoms of Whiplash

If left untreated, whiplash often causes musculoskeletal headaches. Musculoskeletal headaches occur when there are significant amounts of tension in the neck. This is typically a result of weaknesses, physical imbalances, or joint stiffness

With neck injuries such as whiplash, the muscles and connective tissues in the neck can become overstrained. This can lead to agonizing pain radiating in the head, as well as in the face, shoulders, or neck. 

Other symptoms of whiplash that SOS Physiotherapy can treat include: 

  • Loss of range of motion in the neck
  • Tenderness or pain in the shoulder, upper back or arms
  • Tingling or numbness in the arms
  • Fatigue
  • Dizziness
  • Blurred vision

How can physiotherapy help with whiplash?

Physiotherapy at SOS Physiotherapy can help alleviate pain from whiplash by showing you how to keep pain symptoms at bay, improve flexibility, restore range of motion, increase strength, and ultimately help you recover faster. 

The sooner you get physiotherapy after an accident resulting in whiplash, the more likely you are to have a successful, pain-free outcome. 

A physical therapist will assess your injury and pain symptoms, and then create a customized treatment plan for you. Manual therapy, acupuncture/dry needling, and therapeutic exercises may be utilized.

Other healing techniques a physical therapist may use to relieve your discomfort are:

  • Specific exercises and targeted resting positions
  • Stretching

Celebrating Our Patients’ Success

I have been coming regularly for treatments for my neck, back and feet for the past 6 years. Due to my work where I sit for prolonged periods of time, I experienced chronic neck, shoulder & back tension, muscle aches & restriction of movement and chronic inflammation in the joints. SOS Physiotherapy treatments made a marked difference in my range of motion and gave me much appreciated relief from pain. I received a combination of manual manipulation, ultrasound, acupuncture and IFC.
– Piroska Szabo

I have had a number of sports related injuries including a groin injury, an inflamed vertebrae in my neck, and tennis elbow. My experience at SOS has always been extremely positive. The staff are both professional and caring. They spend the time necessary to get you ready to either compete again or just live life.

– John Tibbits

Before I came to physiotherapy here, I had concussion symptoms. Every time I would play I would feel dizzy, lightheaded, disoriented, and had horrible headaches. I started coming to physiotherapy and immediately things got better. We worked to loosen my neck, and retrain my eyes. Since doing physio, I have had no problems playing, and no more headaches.

– Brylie Wynes

I arrived with 4 month old shoulder injury. My range of motion was limited and I was experiencing pain in my neck and forearm as well. The injury was the result of a fall from a horse while galloping. After months of physio I am now having full range of motion, decreased pain and greatly improved muscle strength.

– Susan McKinnon

Get started on your neck pain relief today:

Physiotherapy is one of the best methods for treating neck pain. At SOS Physiotherapy, our physiotherapists conduct an initial physical evaluation to analyze the range of motion in your neck, as well as any limitations you have due to your pain. They will then create a diagnosis that will determine the make-up of your treatment plan. You will work together to understand the goals and expectations of each treatment step, with the main focus being overcoming neck pain and recovering as quickly as possible.

Treatments for your neck pain will most likely include manual or “hands-on” therapy, which consists of special techniques designed to reduce the stiffness of your neck and improve its range of motion. Our Kitchener, Elmira, and Northfield, ON physiotherapists will also provide you with targeted exercises that will strengthen, build, and improve the muscles and tissues in your neck. We will focus on improving your posture to aid in the recovery of your neck muscles, as well as avoiding re-injury in the future. Additional treatment services may include ice and heat therapy, ultrasound, or electrical stimulation, as our physiotherapist deems fit. 

Don’t let your neck pain cause any more discomfort. Contact SOS Physiotherapy to speak with one of our licensed Kitchener, Elmira, and Northfield, ON physiotherapists today and schedule your appointment! We will help you get started on the road toward long-lasting pain relief. 

Contact our clinic today

Every exercise and stretch prescribed by a physical therapist has a specific goal for recovery and improves function and mobility. If you are ready to experience true pain relief from a whiplash injury, call our clinic today to set up an appointment with one of our physical therapists.

Your Next Steps…

  1. Request An Appointment

  2. Receive A Custom Treatment Plan

  3. Work Hard and Progress In Your Recovery

  4. Recover & Enjoy Life Pain-Free!

GET BACK TO ENJOYING YOUR LIFE AGAIN, GET STARTED TODAY!