NECK PAIN REHABILITATION
Developing a program that's right for you.
Information is readily available on the way to stop neck
pain. The challenge is to tailor it to the particular patient. For example, it's said that
using certain kinds of pillows are best for the neck. But which kind? And does the
information apply to every kind of neck pain?
Using the telephone improperly is also said to create problems in the neck. But what is
the proper way to use a phone?
And if a brace or special piece of equipment is necessary, which is the right one? The
list goes on: cold or hot applications, rest or activity?
What kinds of problems might cause neck pain?
Treatment for any neck condition is recommended as soon as possible to
minimize the danger of further aggravation. The following is a list of only
some of the conditions that may cause neck pain and is not a substitute for
a visit to your doctor:
Radiculopathy
A pinched nerve, often from a herniated, or slipped, disk. This causes
pain down the arm that's often described as an electrical feeling.
Myofascial Pain
Generally an aching pain in muscles that tends to be associated with
poor posture, sitting at a computer or other job-related tasks. Patients can become sore
in different parts of the body like the neck and arms, and often patients report they have
difficulty sleeping or feeling restored from sleep.
Spinal Stenosis
A narrowing of the nerve openings either around the spinal card or
nerve roots that can cause symptoms similar to a pinched nerve. The-pain is described
either as an aching or an electrical feeling down the arm.
Tendon, Ligament and Soft Tissue Pain
Localized pain when an area is stretched or its
muscles are overused. This results in tenderness.
Spinal Instability
Increased motion between vertebra, usually resulting from an injury.
The pain typically feels like tingling in the neck or arms.
Non-Spinal Causes of Neck Pain
Pain imitating a neck injury, but from another cause.
Shoulder and elbow injuries and gall bladder disease are examples of problems that can
refer pain to the neck area.
Repetitive Strain Injury
An injury that occurs from a chronically used part of the
body, either in a normal or abnormal way. These problems are often found in people who sit
at desks or work at computers.
Treatment options
The rehabilitation of neck injuries occurs in three phases. during the first phase,
called the acute phase, physiatrists treat pain and inflammation. After they make a
specific diagnosis and develop a treatment plan, physiatrists may offer treatment options
like ultrasound, electrical stimulation, mobilization, medication, ice and even
specialized injections.
In the second, or recovery, phase of treatment, flexibility and strength are developed
to get the body parts into their proper positions. The goal of this phase is to get you
back to your usual work, sports and leisure activities. This goal is achieved through
specially designed exercises that rebuild the body.
The main goal of the third phase of treatment, the maintenance phase, is to minimize
recurrence of the problem and to prevent further injury. This often consists of a total
body fitness program, designed to maintain body mechanics and increase endurance after the
original symptoms have resolved.
These are very broad and general approaches to the treatment of neck pain. The
physiatrist that you choose will develop an individual treatment plan for you.
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