Living with Neck Pain or Headaches? Physiotherapy Can Help
Finding Relief Doesn’t Have to be a Pain in the Neck!
Your neck is an essential part of everyday movement, and severe pain can prevent you from functioning normally. Neck Pain and Headaches can be debilitating and extremely uncomfortable, especially if it extends from your neck to your shoulders.
Whether your neck pain is preventing you from sitting up straight in your chair at work or causing you to tilt your head down to tie your shoes, physiotherapy can help you get back to normal, pain-free functioning.
One-third of the population will deal from neck pain in any given year. If left untreated, it can worsen, and in severe cases, surgery may even be required.
However, there is some good news on the horizon—every year, many people find relief from their neck pain with the help of physiotherapy!
Our physiotherapy clinic in Halifax, NS is committed to providing you with the assistance you require. Schedule your appointment today to get started on the road to recovery!
Common symptoms of neck pain
Neck pain typically runs from the base of a person’s skull to the top of their shoulder blades, finally settling in the back of the neck.
The pain can 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
- Arm weakness
- Loss of sleep due to pain and discomfort
- Inability to fully stand up or sit up straight
- Numbness or tingling into the upper extremities
- Headaches
- Discomfort and pain when remaining in the same position for too long
There are many reasons why neck pain may occur, so slow down before you go Googling!
How can physiotherapy help relieve my neck pain?
Physiotherapy is one of the most effective methods for treating neck pain. Our physiotherapists at Key Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation Centre will conduct a thorough physical evaluation to assess your neck’s range of motion, as well as any limitations you may have as a result of your pain.
Following that, they will make a diagnosis that will determine your treatment plan. You will collaborate to understand the goals and expectations of each step of your personalized treatment plan. The main goal is to get rid of the pain in your neck as quickly as possible. Your therapist will also collaborate with your primary care physician if necessary!
You may be wondering what treatments are most likely to be included in your treatment plan. Our physiotherapists will give you specific exercises to strengthen, build, and improve the muscles and tissues in your neck. Many therapists use manual or hands-on therapy, which consists of specific techniques designed to reduce stiffness and improve the range of motion in your neck.
We will also concentrate on improving your posture to aid in the recovery of your neck muscles and to prevent re-injury in the future. Additional treatment options may include ice and heat therapy, ultrasound, or electrical stimulation, as determined by your physiotherapist.
What could be causing your neck pain?
Injuries to tissues and bone are the most common reason for neck pain, however, certain degenerative conditions can also lead to neck pain.
Some common conditions that give you pain in your neck include:
Illnesses
Certain diseases and ailments can result in neck pain, such as rheumatoid cancer, arthritis, and meningitis.
Muscle strains
Even something as simple as sitting at your desk all day with your neck craned toward the computer screen can cause your neck muscles to become strained by overuse.
Compressed nerves
If you have a herniated disc in your neck, or a 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 down to the hands and fingers — a condition known as “radiculopathy.”
Injuries
Whiplash is one of the most common injuries that result in neck pain, typically sustained by an automobile or high-impact sports collision. 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.
Degenerative joint conditions
Conditions such as osteoarthritis can also reduce the cartilage between the vertebrae in the neck, also resulting in neck pain. Much like any other joint in your body, the neck joints can erode with age, causing pain.
The three main types of headaches include:
Tension headaches
Tension headaches are caused by pressure on the “dura mater,” a delicate membrane that surrounds the brain.
The dura mater sits close to the small muscles at the base of the skull, which goes into spasm when the dura mater is stressed, transmitting signals of pain to the brain and triggering your headache.
This is the most common type of headache, which can occur due to repeated movements or poor posture in the neck/head. If you’ve ever seen someone at work holding their head at their desk, it’s possibly due to a tension headache.
Musculoskeletal headaches
Musculoskeletal headaches arise when there is a large amount of strain in the neck. This is usually the product of physical imbalances, deficiencies, or injury, while emotional stress (such as stress) can also be a contributing factor.
Traumatic damage to the neck, such as whiplash, is a common cause of musculoskeletal headache. In the case of neck injuries such as whiplash, the muscles and connective tissues in the neck may become strained.
This can lead to agonizing pain in the head, as well as in the face, shoulders, or neck.
Cervicogenic headaches
The majority of headaches are rooted in problems with the neck.
Cervicogenic headaches are related to pain in the neck, affecting the top three vertebrae of the neck.
These headaches may occur as a result of some disorders, such as concussion or arthritis, but work-related strains may also cause cervicogenic headaches.
People who work jobs that consistently require a down-turned motion of the head or neck are more likely to experience cervicogenic headaches.
These can include hairdressers, long-haul drivers, cooks, nail artists, jewelers, etc.
How can a physiotherapist help relieve my headaches?
Physiotherapysiotherapy has been shown to help manage chronic headache pain in the following ways:
- Therapy can improve function and mobility.
- It can improve the ease of motion in the neck.
- You can experience an overall improved quality of life.
- It can decrease or resolve the intensity, frequency, and duration of headaches.
- Physiotherapy can help you cut back on the need for medications.
At Key Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation Centre in Halifax, NS, we are committed to providing you with the best treatment for your headaches.
At your initial appointment, one of our highly qualified physiotherapists will perform a physical exam and ask you questions about your health history and symptoms, to assess what sort of headache you are having and where the pain comes from.
A treatment plan will then be tailored specifically for you and your rehabilitation, most likely including targeted workouts, manual therapy, and patient education to help minimize the number of headaches you will end up having in the future.
Remember that no two patients are alike, and neither are two treatment plans! The only way to find out what a therapist will recommend for your headache pain is to request an appointment with one.
Get started on your pain relief journey today
Our therapy methods at Key Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation Centre are centered on pain relief, posture improvement, and muscle strengthening in the neck and upper back.
All of these will make your daily life much more relaxed and bearable, free of the discomfort of headaches!
To consult with one of our physiotherapists, call (902) 422-1555 or click here to make an appointment.
Find relief with Key Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation Centre today
Your neck pain or headache may be taking over your life, but it doesn’t have to.
Call us today at (902) 422-1555 to speak with one of our licensed physiotherapists, or click here to request your first appointment!
We will assist you in getting started on the path to long-term pain relief.