Feeling pain in the lower part of your neck? Discomfort in this area can be very problematic. In fact, it can make it harder to do any task that requires lifting your arms or turning your head. Fortunately, physical therapists can help you figure out what issue is behind your pain.
Neck pain is one of the most common issues Americans face; medical research reports that up to 50% of people experience neck pain every year. Uncovering the cause of your neck pain doesn’t have to be a chore. Physical therapists can assess your neck and reveal the source of your lower neck pain, and they can also help you treat your neck pain effectively.
Three common issues that can cause lower neck pain
The cervical spine extends from just below your skull to about shoulder height. This area and its associated structures is commonly referred to as the neck. There are many neck problems that can cause pain near the base of your cervical spine. Common issues that often lead to pain in this part of the neck are:
- Muscle strains — You have many muscles that run the length of your neck. Some of these even extend into your shoulders, chest and upper back. Overstretching one of your neck muscles in just the right place can lead to pain at the base of your neck. Such an injury is called a muscle strain.
- Herniated cervical discs — There are seven vertebrae in your neck, which are called C1 through C7. These vertebrae each have a fibrous disc between it and the next vertebrae. The outer covering of these disks can be damaged, and their inner material can poke out or herniate. In turn, a herniated cervical disc can lead to pain and other symptoms.
- Cervical radiculopathy — Many nerves branch off the spinal cord in your neck. These nerves run into the shoulders, upper back and other areas of the body. Cervical radiculopathy occurs when a nerve root in the neck is pinched. This condition can lead to pain that radiates from the neck into other parts of your body.
What can your physical therapist do to treat lower neck pain?
Physical therapists are adept at using many therapy techniques to reduce neck pain. In addition, they excel at combining therapy techniques together to help you get the highest level of pain relief. Some of the therapy techniques your therapist may use to treat your neck pain include:
- Therapeutic exercises
- Trigger point therapy
- McKenzie Method®
- Graston Technique®
- Spinal manipulation
- Soft tissue mobilization
- Mulligan technique
Panther Physical Therapy offers treatment for lower neck pain
Don’t continue to suffer from lower neck pain. Our Panther PT team is ready and willing to help you find effective treatment for your pain. We’ll start your therapy process with a free screening, which is intended to reveal the cause of your pain. Then, our physical therapists will build you a therapy plan that’s designed to fit your unique needs. Additionally, we offer virtual therapy and at-home care services that allow you to treat your pain from the comfort of your home.
Contact our team today for more information about our neck pain treatment services or to schedule your initial appointment.