Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Category: Neck Pain

  • What can I do for chronic neck pain treatment?

    What can I do for chronic neck pain treatment?

    Neck pain ranks up at the top of the list when it comes to common forms of pain. Researchers report that as high as 79.5% of people deal with some form of neck pain annually (NIH, 2010). Such statistics show that you have a significant risk of neck pain.

    Though less likely, chronic neck pain is no less problematic. A 2006 study concluded that as much as 4.5% of the population could be suffering from this type of pain (NIH, 2010). Going to physical therapy is a treatment option that’s effective for chronic neck pain. There are three ways in particular that physical therapy can benefit you.

    Three ways physical therapy treatment for chronic neck pain can benefit you

    Just how effective is physical therapy when it comes to chronic neck pain treatment? One study shows that one week of physical therapy was able to significantly reduce neck pain in 75% of the study’s participants. This study also reports that 70% of the participants also noticed an improved ability to do normal daily activities. Gains like these are possible because physical therapists can help you:

    1. Improve your posture — Your head is basically a 10-pound weight balanced on the column of your neck. When this weight is tilted forward just one inch, it effectively doubles the strain on your neck (SpineHealth, 2016). Physical therapists can offer ergonomic recommendations that are intended to help improve head and neck posture.
    1. Stretch neck muscles — Poor posture, sports injuries or car accidents can injure neck muscles. Such factors can also increase the tension in these muscles. Physical therapists can help you stretch your neck and reduce built-up tension. One effective option that can help with this is instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM). A study that used IASTM to treat shoulder muscles was able to increase range of motion by more than 11 degrees (NIH, 2014).
    1. Strengthen your neck — Strengthening neck muscles gives them a greater ability to maintain good posture. Improving the physical performance in neck muscles is something therapists can do relatively quickly with therapeutic exercises. In fact, one study reports that after an average of four weeks of treatment, many people can see strength gains. The same study also notes that patients in the study also reported decreased pain and improved range of motion.

     

    Advent Physical Therapy is ready to help you find effective chronic neck pain treatment

    Are you looking for effective chronic neck pain treatment? Our Advent Physical Therapy team is primed to help you find it. We offer free screenings that are intended to help us gather information about your pain and other symptoms. Our team can then build you a personalized plan to treat your chronic neck pain.

    Contact our team today for more information about how we can help you or to schedule an initial appointment.

  • What to do if you’ve pulled a muscle in your neck and can’t turn your head

    What to do if you’ve pulled a muscle in your neck and can’t turn your head

    Pulling a muscle in the neck is commonly associated with pain, but people who experience them also know they can cause other symptoms, including immobility. Pulled muscles, also known as muscle strains, are typically not serious and will improve in a short period of time with basic treatments. However, if symptoms persist and/or worsen, you should seek attention from a qualified health care professional. 

    For people who have pulled a neck muscle and can’t turn their head, physical therapy is one of the most effective forms of treatment. With the guidance of a licensed and experienced therapist, you can perform exercises and other techniques that will help support the healing process and prevent reinjury. 

    Working with a physical therapist for strained muscle relief

    With their specialized training in the functioning of the musculoskeletal system, physical therapists are especially qualified to identify the causes of neck strains and develop a patient-specific program for relief. This is why initial visits will generally involve an evaluation that involves reviewing health and treatment history, discussing specific symptoms, and performing range-of-motion and posture tests as well as a hands-on examination. 

    This will help your therapist to better understand your biomechanics and recommend therapeutic exercises, active and passive stretches, manual therapies and other methods designed to accomplish the following goals: 

    • Address postural and mechanical issues in the neck
    • Strengthen supporting muscles and address muscle imbalances for greater injury resistance
    • Relax tense and spastic muscles
    • Mobilize soft tissue for improved range of motion

    As you work with your therapist, you can gain a better understanding of the healthy functioning of your neck and learn more about lifestyle changes and prevention strategies that can help you stay injury-free. 

    Neck pain and immobility treatment with caring experts

    When you come to Whatcom Physical Therapy, you’ll find a team who prides ourselves on exceptional care and the latest evidence-based methods. One of our therapists will work with you on a one-on-one basis to understand your injury and create a plan centered on your lifestyle and treatment goals. 

    Get your neck moving again. Contact us today to learn more and schedule your initial appointment.

  • Neck pain at the base of the skull in El Paso, TX: Three causes

    Neck pain at the base of the skull in El Paso, TX: Three causes

    The neck, or cervical spine as it’s known to medical professionals, is a complex structure. It’s also important for many of the common movements you make every day. For instance, the neck extends to tilt your head backward when you’re looking at an object on a high shelf. This structure also flexes to tilt your head forward, and it allows you to tilt your head side to side as well. 

    The structures in the neck that allow such movements can easily become injured or tense. If you’re dealing with neck pain at the base of your skull in El Paso, Texas, there are three issues that could be the source of your pain. 

    Three issues that lead to neck pain at the skull’s base

    Dealing with neck pain is vital, especially when it’s located at the base of your skull. Pain and tension in this part of the neck can lead to other painful problems. For example, issues in this area can cause headaches. They can also lead to pain in the jaw joints. When local physical therapists see people with pain at the base of their skull, there are three issues that are commonly causing it: 

    1. Suboccipital muscle tension — The four suboccipital muscles run between the top cervical vertebrae and the base of the skull. Poor posture while working on a computer can lead to tension in these muscles. This tension can also come from long hours of staring down at a cellphone or tablet. When tense, these muscles can become painful, and they can also trigger tension headaches. 
    1. Osteoarthritis — This condition can develop in the facet joints between the top two cervical vertebrae. Facet joint osteoarthritis can be a result of natural wear and tear. It can also be caused by an injury to the neck. For instance, whiplash can increase your risk of neck osteoarthritis, especially if it isn’t treated. 
    1. Herniated disc — A disc is a structure located between two vertebrae, and it acts as a cushion between them. Discs have a tough outer layer and a gel-like inner layer. When the outer layer is torn or damaged, the inner layer can poke out or herniate. This herniated material can rub against neck nerves near the base of your skull. In turn, this irritation can cause pain in this area. 

    Border Therapy Services in El Paso can help treat neck pain at the base of your skull

    Are you looking for help for the neck pain you’re dealing with? Our Border Therapy Services team in El Paso is here for you. We offer free screenings that are designed to reveal the source of your neck pain. With this knowledge, our team can create an individualized therapy plan to treat the cause of your pain, and our plans can include multiple beneficial therapy methods like: 

    Take the next step to start treating your neck pain locally. Contact us today for more information about how we can help you or to schedule your initial appointment. 

  • What should you do about neck pain at the base of your skull?

    What should you do about neck pain at the base of your skull?

    Neck pain can develop for a number of different reasons and, although the area is relatively small, in a number of different locations. While many people experience neck pain in the middle and lower part of the cervical (upper) spinal region, some report the pain and other symptoms as originating near the base of the skull. Neck pain at the base of the skull can have a severe effect on your quality of life, making it very difficult to accomplish even the simplest tasks. 

    We want to help anyone dealing with pain find the information they need to make an informed health care decision. By reading the following guide, you can learn more about what to do if you’re dealing with upper neck pain. If you’d like to learn more about the treatment options we offer at Armor Physical Therapy, please feel free to get in touch with us. 

    Steps to relief for neck pain at the base of the skull 

    Since there can be so many different causes for neck pain, with varying treatments, it is absolutely essential to see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment. Neck pain at the base of the skull can be caused by issues affecting the suboccipital muscles in this area, a spinal issue affecting the upper vertebrae and a range of other conditions and injuries. 

    Here are the steps a doctor can take to diagnose the underlying cause of your neck pain: 

    • Review you and your family’s medical history to identify potential causes of pain
    • Ask questions about your specific symptoms and how they affect daily activities
    • Perform a hands-on examination to identify painful spots and assess range of motion
    • Order diagnostic testing such as an X-ray or MRI, if necessary

    Once a diagnosis has been made, you can begin to discuss treatment options. For many patients, physical therapy can be highly effective and is commonly recommended to patients with all types of neck pain. 

    How physical therapy helps patients dealing with neck pain at the base of skull 

    Physical therapy consists of active and passive methods, including manual therapy and strengthening exercises, designed to improve functioning and relieve pain. Your therapist can work with you to create a personalized plan based on your specific condition and your treatment goals. At our state-of-the-art clinics, the Armor Physical Therapy team is committed to helping you achieve the lasting relief you’re looking for. 

    To schedule your initial appointment, contact us today. 

  • Three exercises to avoid when you have neck arthritis

    Three exercises to avoid when you have neck arthritis

    Arthritis can affect any of the joints in your body. While many people think of arthritis as something that affects the hips, knees and hands, it can also affect the vertebrae in the spine and other smaller joints. When arthritis affects the vertebrae in your cervical spine, or rather, your neck, it can make your daily life more difficult.

    Exercising is a great way to help reduce pain and stiffness caused by arthritis. Stronger muscles provide better support and mobility in the affected areas. However, if you have neck arthritis, there are a few exercises you’re better off avoiding if you don’t want to make your pain worse. 

    Three exercises to avoid when you have neck arthritis 

    1. Situps — Situps are helpful exercises for engaging the muscles in your core, which helps reduce lower back pain. However, situps can often lead to back pain and neck pain when done improperly. If you have arthritis in the neck, it’s best to avoid situps unless instructed otherwise by your physical therapist.
    2. Bridges — Bridges are exercises that involve lying on your back and raising your hips into the air while keeping your feet flat on the ground. These are great exercises for engaging the muscles in your core and thighs, but they put a lot of pressure on the neck. This can exacerbate your symptoms if you have neck arthritis, so you may want to avoid bridges and other similar exercises.
    3. Military press — A military press is any exercise that involves pushing a weight above your head. Military presses are useful for helping to strengthen the shoulders and even the neck muscles. However, when you have arthritis in the neck, these exercises can cause a lot of pain. 

    Visit Excel Sports & Physical Therapy for neck arthritis treatment

    Are you living with arthritis in the neck that affects your daily life? Our physical therapists at Excel Sports & Physical Therapy can help you figure out which exercises to try and which ones to avoid. Contact our team today for more information about neck arthritis or to schedule an initial appointment.

  • One cause of neck, shoulder or arm pain with finger numbness

    One cause of neck, shoulder or arm pain with finger numbness

    You’re in pain, but it’s a pain like you’ve never felt before. This pain starts in your neck. It then seems to move down through the shoulder and into the arm, and you may have also noticed an unexplained numbness in your hand. If you’re dealing with this specific set of symptoms in Saint Peters, Missouri, you could have a condition called cervical radiculopathy. 

    What is cervical radiculopathy? 

    Some people may recognize the word “cervical” as having something to do with the neck. However, the word “radiculopathy” may not be recognizable at all. This word is defined as a compression of a nerve root. By putting these two words together, you get the medical term for a pinched nerve in the neck. 

    What are the symptoms of cervical radiculopathy?

    Pinched neck nerves can cause several noticeable symptoms. The most notable symptom of this condition is pain that radiates from the neck into the shoulder and arm, and this pain is often described as either burning or sharp. In many ways, the pain of a pinched neck nerve is similar to sciatica pain. Another common symptom of cervical radiculopathy is numbness in the area served by the pinched nerve. People dealing with this condition typically feel this numbness in the neck, shoulder and arm, but it’s also common to feel numbness in the hand when you have pinched neck nerve. 

    What can cause cervical radiculopathy?

    There are two issues that can lead to cervical radiculopathy. The first of these issues is a herniated neck disc. A herniated disc is when a disc between two vertebrae gets a tear in its outer shell. This tear allows the inner material of the disc to poke out or herniate, and the herniated material can rub against or pinch a nerve in the neck. In some cases, herniated discs are the result of car accident injuries like whiplash. However, they can also be a type of sports injury caused by high-impact sports like football or rugby. 

    The second issue that can cause cervical radiculopathy is vertebrae degeneration. This is when the bone of one or more cervical vertebrae becomes rough and starts to break down. Typically, this process is part of the natural wear and tear your body undergoes, but it can also be related to neck injuries. Bone spurs are one of the issues caused by neck vertebrae degeneration, and they can irritate or pinch a neck nerve. 

    Get help with cervical radiculopathy at Excel Sports & Physical Therapy in Saint Peters, MO

    You should seek help if you’re feeling pain in your neck, shoulder or arm with hand numbness caused by cervical radiculopathy. One place you can find the help you need is at Excel Sports & Physical Therapy’s clinic in Saint Peters. We offer free screenings, which can be used to confirm the source of your symptoms. Our team can also build you a personalized treatment plan designed to tackle the symptoms and their root cause. We have many beneficial therapy techniques at our disposal, and some of these techniques include: 

    Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment to start treating your cervical radiculopathy. 

  • Two issues that cause sharp pain in the side of the neck

    Two issues that cause sharp pain in the side of the neck

    Have you ever woken up with a sharp pain in the side of your neck? If this has happened to you in Winterville, North Carolina, you might be wondering what’s causing your pain. There are many issues that can cause this type of pain, but there are two in particular that could be the root cause of your neck pain. 

    1. Strained muscle

    There are 26 muscles in the neck, and that’s not counting muscles from your head, shoulders and torso that are attached to the neck. With so many muscles in this area, it’s no wonder that a muscle strain could be causing the sharp pain in the side of your neck. Strains occur when a muscle is overstretched or torn. There are many activities that can cause this type of injury. 

    Playing sports can lead to a neck muscle strain, and this is most common when the sport is high impact or uses repetitive head movements. An example that fits both of these criteria is football. Car accidents can also strain neck muscles thanks to a movement called whiplash. Whiplash is when the head moves violently forward and backward, and it gets its name from the resemblance it has to the cracking of a whip. This type of violent movement can easily overstretch or tear a muscle in the neck and cause pain. Even sleeping can cause a muscle strain if your head neck is in a poor position all night. 

    1. Cervical radiculopathy

    Cervical radiculopathy is the medical term for a pinched neck nerve, and this issue is another one that can cause sharp pain in the side of the neck. In fact, this type of pain is the most common symptom of a pinched neck nerve. Other symptoms that this condition can cause include numbness, tingling and difficulty moving the neck without pain. 

    A pinched nerve in your neck is typically caused by a deeper problem with the neck. An example of such a problem is a herniated neck disc. Discs are intended to act as cushions between your vertebrae, but they can be damaged by impacts to the head and neck. The form this damage often takes is a tear in the outer shell of the disc. In turn, the tear allows the inner material in the disc to poke out or herniate, and it’s this material that can rub against or pinch a cervical nerve. 

    Come find help for your neck pain at Peak Performance in Winterville, NC

    Peak Performance is proud to offer high-quality physical therapy services at our clinic in Winterville. Not sure what’s causing the sharp pain in the side of your neck? Our team can help you find out with a free screening. Once we pinpoint the source of your pain, we’ll create an individualized therapy plan that targets this source, and the plan we build for you could include therapy techniques like: 

    Contact us today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment to start treating your neck pain. 

  • Neck pain at the base of the skull: Two issues it can cause

    Neck pain at the base of the skull: Two issues it can cause

    Having neck pain at the base of your skull might seem bad enough, but the causes of this pain can lead to other painful issues, too. Pain in this area is often caused by overly tight suboccipital muscles, which are located at the base of the skull. The pain could also be related to pinching or irritation of the occipital nerves. These nerves run up from the top two neck vertebrae, and they run up into the scalp. Either of these causes of neck pain could lead to other issues. 

    1. Tension headaches

    Neck pain at the base of the skull can also morph into a tension headache. This is especially likely if your suboccipital muscles are too tense, and tension in these muscles is common in people who spend lots of time working on a computer or mobile device. From the initial pain in the neck, tension headaches can cause a feeling of tightness in the back, sides and front of the head. These headaches often last for hours. In many cases, finding ways to reduce the tension in the suboccipital muscles can help treat a tension headache. These treatments might include therapeutic stretching exercises or other types of physical therapy. 

    1. Migraines

    Migraines are another problem that can stem from neck pain at the base of the skull. The pain this issue leads to is typically stronger than that of a tension headache. In addition, migraines can cause several symptoms that tension headaches don’t. An example of one of these symptoms is nausea, and people with migraines can also experience blurred vision or sensitivity to light. It’s also common for migraine symptoms to get worse when you move around. As a result, physical therapy for this issue may have to wait until your symptoms subside. 

    Find help with neck pain at the base of the skull at Peak Performance

    Peak Performance has six physical therapy clinics located in North Carolina, and we want to help you find out why there’s pain at the base of your skull. Pinpointing the cause of your pain can be done by coming in for a free screening. After we figure out the source of your pain, we’ll build you an individualized therapy plan to treat it. Our plans include multiple therapy techniques, and therapy techniques that could be included in your plan are: 

    Contact us today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment to begin treating your neck pain. 

  • Neck, shoulder and arm pain with numbness in the fingers — what does it mean?

    Neck, shoulder and arm pain with numbness in the fingers — what does it mean?

    It is common for patients to experience neck pain that is accompanied by shoulder pain, arm pain and numbness in the fingers. This group of symptoms can range from a relatively mild inconvenience to a debilitating problem that affects nearly every aspect of your life. Everything from driving to work in the morning to getting a good night’s sleep can be disrupted. What’s worse, it can be difficult to identify the source of the symptoms, making it easy to feel confused and hopeless as you seek relief. 

    If you are experiencing this group of symptoms, it is extremely important to seek diagnosis and treatment from a qualified health care professional. While in many cases these related issues are caused by nerve compression in the upper spine, there are a range of other potential causes. For most diagnoses, physical therapy is a highly effective form of treatment.

    Take some time to read this quick overview we created to help you better understand the specific ways that physical therapy can help with neck, shoulder and arm pain with numbness in the fingers. To learn more or for answers to any of your questions, do not hesitate to reach out to our caring and dedicated team. 

    Physical therapy for neck pain and radiating symptoms 

    The neck and upper spine are a common source of these types of symptoms due to the high concentration of nerves in this area. Here, the spinal cord travels from the brain out to the extremities, carrying important sensory and motor information to the body. That’s why conditions such as a herniated disc or spinal arthritis can cause radiating symptoms in addition to localized pain when they compress a nerve. 

    While physical therapy cannot “cure” these conditions, it can be an extremely effective form of management by accomplishing the following goals: 

    • Strengthening supporting muscles in the neck to relieve pressure on the nerves
    • Increasing range of motion in the neck, shoulders, arms and fingers
    • Using manual therapy and trigger point therapy to relax tense muscles and decrease problems like tingling and numbness
    • Improving posture and alignment through targeted exercises and treatment

    Working with your therapist requires trust and communication, which is why it is so important to find a practice that takes a compassionate, patient-centered approach to your treatment. 

    Work with the neck pain experts at Rehab Access

    When you come to one of our state-of-the-art physical therapy clinics, we’ll work with you on a one-on-one basis to develop a custom-tailored treatment plan. Our talented staff has decades of experience in helping patients manage neck pain and related symptoms — and we’re passionate about delivering compassionate care. 

    Don’t let neck pain run your life for another day; contact us today and schedule your initial appointment. 

  • Three causes of right side neck stiffness

    Without your neck, your head wouldn’t be able to move as much as it does. In fact, you would have to turn your whole body to look in a specific direction. The neck is also a complex structure, and it can be affected by many issues. One issue that commonly affects the neck is stiffness, and there are three issues that can cause stiffness in the right side of the neck. 

    1. Poor sleeping posture

    Poor sleeping posture is one of the most common things that leads to right side neck stiffness, and many factors can put your neck in a stiffness-causing position while you sleep. For instance, your pillow could be too soft or too hard. This is a problem because it takes the neck out of alignment with the rest of your spine, and this can lead to stiffness and pain in the neck muscles. The firmness of your mattress can also be a factor in waking up with a stiff neck. Even moving around in your sleep can put your head in a bad position and lead to neck stiffness. 

    1. Car accident injury

    Another common issue that can cause right side neck stiffness is a car accident injury. Motor vehicle accidents generate extreme forces, and this is true even when both cars are driving relatively slowly. These forces are transmitted to your body in the crash. When this happens, it can lead to conditions like whiplash, and this condition can strain the muscles in the neck and injure other neck structures. The effects of a car accident injury often take several days to appear — you could go to bed feeling fine and wake up with stiffness or pain in your neck. 

    1. Torticollis

    Also called wry neck, torticollis can lead to stiffness in the right side of the neck. This condition is characterized by stiffness so extreme that it pulls your head to one side. It can also make it harder to move the head and neck, and torticollis can lead to pain as well as stiffness. 

    In many cases, torticollis develops suddenly, and it’s often the result of a sports injury or car accident injury to the muscles on one side of the neck. Most cases of torticollis tend to get better within a few days. However, it can also be a symptom of a more serious health issue, such as an infection. 

    Armor Physical Therapy can help treat stiffness in the right side of the neck

    Armor Physical Therapy is proud to serve the residents of southwest Michigan from five clinics, and we offer physical therapy for many neck injuries and issues. To help figure out what is causing your symptoms, we offer free screenings. We’ll then use the information gathered in the screening to build you a personalized treatment plan, and your plan can include therapy techniques such as: 

    Take the next step to get our help with your neck stiffness and pain. Contact us today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.

  • Three reasons you may have severe neck pain after sleeping

    Three reasons you may have severe neck pain after sleeping

    Sleeping is supposed to be a time for your body to rest and recuperate from daily activities. However, your sleep may not seem so restful if you’re waking up with pain in your neck. Waking up with a sore neck can make it harder to concentrate during the day, and it can also affect your day in other negative ways. To stop waking up in pain, you must first understand why it’s happening in the first place, and there are three issues that could be the reason you have severe neck pain after sleeping. 

    1.   Unsupportive pillow

    Your pillow may seem like your best bedtime friend, but it could actually be the reason you feel severe neck pain after sleeping. This is because your pillow may not be supporting your head and neck properly. 

    A pillow that properly supports the head and neck should keep these structures level with the rest of the spine. If your pillow is too hard, it can cause the head and neck to flex upward, or the pillow could be causing a downward bend because it’s too soft. In either case, extra strain is placed on the muscles and tendons in the neck, and this can lead to a bad pain in the neck when you wake up. 

    2.   You’re injured but you didn’t know it

    Severe neck pain after sleeping can also be caused by car accident injuries or injuries from playing sports. For instance, whiplash is a neck injury that can come from a car accident or playing sports. Whiplash is when your head moves violently back and forth after an impact, and this violent movement can cause neck muscle strain or damage. However, for some people the pain of whiplash can often take hours or even days to show up. This is why you could go to bed feeling fine and wake up with neck pain. 

    3.   Nerve compression

    Nerve compression could also be the reason someone feels severe neck pain after sleeping. The compression or pinching of neck nerves can be caused by several things. For instance, a bulging neck disc can push against a nerve. Bony projections on the edge of bones are called bone spurs, and these can develop along the edge of a neck vertebra. 

    If they grow large enough, they can irritate or pinch nerves in the neck while you’re sleeping, and this can cause pain that’s hard to ignore when you wake up. In some cases, pain from a compressed nerve can even keep you from falling asleep or wake you up during the night. 

    Peak Performance can help treat severe neck pain after sleeping

    If you aren’t sure why you have such bad neck pain when you wake up, our team at Peak Performance can help you figure it out. We’ll perform a one-on-one screening to determine the cause of your neck issues. Once the cause has been established, we can then build you a personalized therapy plan to address the issue, and this plan will be designed to provide benefits such as: 

    • Reduced pain
    • Improved range of motion
    • Increased muscle strength
    • Improved ability to sleep

    Don’t keep waking up to neck pain. Contact us today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment. 

  • Three tips for better sleep with whiplash in Wentzville, MO

    Three tips for better sleep with whiplash in Wentzville, MO

    Whiplash is an injury that often occurs to the neck or back during a motor vehicle accident. This condition can cause you to experience pain, and it can also lead to tense back, shoulder and neck muscles. One issue that you may have when dealing with whiplash is that it makes it harder for you to sleep well at night. If you’re having trouble sleeping with whiplash in Wentzville, Missouri, there are three tips that may help you sleep better. 

    1.   Check your sleeping position

    You may want to make some changes to your sleeping position if you have whiplash. For one thing, it’s better for whiplash patients to sleep on their side or back. However, you’ll want to make sure that your head and neck are in a neutral position regardless of which sleeping position you prefer. 

    Also, using a pillow between your knees when sleeping on your side can help decrease pressure on your neck and spine. Patients who prefer to sleep on their back can get the same benefit by placing a pillow under their knees. These changes to your sleeping position can help you sleep a lot better while recovering from whiplash. 

    2.   Relax before getting in bed

    The tense muscles that whiplash can cause may increase your pain and make it harder for you to sleep. One tip to counteract this muscle tenseness is to find ways to relax before you go to bed. For example, taking a warm shower or bath can help reduce the tension in your muscles. 

    It may also help to perform some gentle stretches before getting in bed, and a physical therapist can help you develop an at-home stretching plan to use before bed. Also, you can try doing some breathing exercises to reduce both physical and mental tension right before bed. The sense of relaxation that these activities can bring can be helpful in getting a better night’s sleep with whiplash. 

    3.   Do some gentle physical activity during the day

    It’s true that you’ll need to take some time to rest when you first get whiplash, but after a few days, doing some gentle physical activity can be helpful. For instance, you can talk a short walk a few times a day. Gentle activity such as this can be especially helpful for getting to sleep. This is because even gentle physical activity can help tire you out. 

    Gentle activities can also have other benefits for whiplash. Activity helps improve the blood flow to the neck. This allows more oxygen and nutrients to get to your injury, and in turn, more oxygen and nutrients can help improve your body’s natural healing ability while you’re sleeping. 

    Excel Sports & Physical Therapy wants to help treat your whiplash

    At Excel Sports & Physical Therapy, we’re ready to help you treat many motor vehicle accident injuries such as whiplash. Our Wentzville clinic has a highly trained team of physical therapists that can offer you support during your recovery, and part of this support will be the personalized treatment plan we create for you. We’ll also be here to provide encouragement throughout your entire recovery process. 

    Take the next step to get our support for your injury recovery. Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an appointment. 

When Was Your Appointment?

We recently changed bill pay providers. Please click the button for the date of your appointment to be directed to the correct online payment portal.