Category: Neck Pain

Three treatment options for that throbbing pain in your neck
Have a headache that doesn’t cause nausea or light sensitivity? Does it often begin with a throbbing pain in your neck? People who answered yes to these questions may have a nerve issue called occipital neuralgia.

Occipital neuralgia occurs when the occipital nerves that run from the top of the neck into the scalp are pinched or inflamed. A study on patients at one headache clinic reveals that 25% of the people surveyed had occipital neuralgia. Physical therapy can help you treat the throbbing neck pain and other symptoms of occipital neuralgia.

These three physical therapy treatments can help with throbbing pain in the neck

Before starting your treatment, your physical therapist will confirm that occipital neuralgia is causing the throbbing pain in your neck. Then, they’ll look for underlying issues that have led to this issue. After gathering this information, your therapist will develop a therapy plan to fit your specific needs.

This therapy plan can include treatment options like:
1. Manual therapy — Mobilizing and manipulating joints and soft tissue is the goal of manual therapy. This category of therapy is applied by the hands of your physical therapist. For occipital neuralgia patients, the therapist typically focuses on the neck and upper back. The results of manual therapy can be very positive; in fact, one study of neck pain sufferers reveals that 75% of the patients who had manual therapy had substantially reduced pain.
1. Therapeutic exercises — Neck range of motion (ROM) and pain are closely linked. Typically, occipital neuralgia patients have decreased ROM and increased pain. Therapeutic exercises are one way your physical therapist can help decrease your neck pain by increasing neck ROM.
A study on neck and back pain patients shows that therapeutic exercises helped improve:
- Neck flexion by nearly 15 degrees.
- Neck extension by almost 11 degrees.
- Rightward bending by 6 degrees.
- Leftward bending by nearly 6 degrees.
1. Myofascial release — An issue that can cause the muscle tension that’s pinching the occipital nerve is myofascial trigger points (MTPs). These are areas of the muscles where scar tissue or knots have developed. Myofascial release involves your physical therapist using their hands to apply pressure to MTPs to break them up.
A study on patients with forward head posture shows that myofascial release helped reduce forward head angle by nearly 3 degrees. This reduction means that less stress is placed on the neck muscles, which can lead to decreases in pain.

Find help for the throbbing pain in your neck at Whatcom Physical Therapy

Not sure where to turn for physical therapy for the throbbing pain in your neck? Our team at Whatcom Physical Therapy offers just the type of therapeutic care you need for this type of pain. We can start you off with a free screening that can reveal the source of your pain. Then, our specialists can create a personalized treatment plan for you that’s designed to:
- Improve neck range of motion.
- Reduce tension in neck muscles.
- Build strength in neck muscles.
- Improve your posture.
- Decrease neck pain.
We even offer virtual therapy sessions that allow you to work with your physical therapist without leaving home.

Contact our team today for more information about our neck pain treatment options or to schedule an initial appointment.
December 6, 2020
Should I be concerned about the throbbing pain in my neck?
It’s normal to have neck pain at points in life. For example, if you go to sleep in an awkward position, you’ll likely wake up with neck pain. Usually, pain like this goes away after a little time or some home treatments and stretching. However, some types of neck pain last long or are more intense than usual. When accompanied by symptoms like a throbbing sensation, you might start to feel concerned.

A throbbing pain in your neck is usually not something life threatening or debilitating. It is painful and limits the use of your neck, but in many cases, it is treatable with physical therapy.

What causes a throbbing pain in the neck?

Throbbing pain in the neck is usually attributed to tight muscles or compressed nerves in the neck. The tightness of the muscles increases strain on the spine and other tissue in your neck, which can increase pressure on the nerves running through it.

The reason this happens can be as simple as overexertion or poor posture, but it could also be related to chronic conditions, including:
- Herniated disc
- Degenerative disc disease (DDD)
- Strain
- Arthritis
- Gout
- Diabetes
Treatment for throbbing pain in the neck

Treatments for neck pain vary depending on the exact cause of the pain and other factors, such as your age, weight and medical history. A physical therapist can examine your neck to identify the source of your pain. Using what they learn from your personal information and this examination, they can develop a personalized treatment routine to help you manage the pain and reach your recovery goals.

The methods used in your treatment vary depending on your condition, but you can usually expect treatment to include:
- Stretches and exercises to improve strength and flexibility of key muscles in the neck.
- Hands-on therapy to help reduce tension and break up any scar tissue.
- Posture guidance to help you correct poor posture habits that increase stress on your neck.
- Patient guidance for how to move around while recovering and to reduce your chances of making your pain worse.
Visit Rehab Access for neck pain treatment

Is a constant, throbbing neck pain making it difficult for you to move your neck around? This can make simple daily tasks, such as driving, more challenging or even unsafe. Our physical therapists at Rehab Access are here to help. We can examine your neck and guide you through a personalized treatment routine to help you manage your condition. Contact our team today for more information about treating neck pain or to schedule an initial appointment.
December 3, 2020
Can I treat burning neck pain without pain medication?
Often, doctors will prescribe pain medications to reduce burning neck pain, but there are drawbacks that this course can lead to.

It’s reported that about 18 million Americans abuse some type of prescription medication annually. Unfortunately, even over-the-counter pain medicines can lead to negative side effects. These are just a few reasons that you’ll be glad to know that you can treat burning neck pain without pain meds, and physical therapists are just the specialists to help you do this.

Three ways you can treat burning neck pain without pain medication

Burning neck pain is often caused by a pinched nerve in the neck. This issue could be linked to underlying conditions like herniated discs or osteoarthritis, but it’s often possible to treat your pain without relying on painkillers.

Physical therapists can evaluate you to determine the root cause of your pain. They can then build you a therapy plan that includes multiple therapy techniques designed to decrease your pain naturally. Some of these natural pain-reducing techniques could include:
1. Therapeutic exercises — Your physical therapist can show you how to do movements to stretch and strengthen your neck. These therapeutic exercises can also help reduce your pain, especially when combined with other therapy methods. A study shows that 75% of patients who had therapeutic exercises in their therapy plan had significant neck pain reductions.
1. Spinal manipulation — This technique is a type of manual therapy and involves therapists using their hands to apply pressure to and realign the neck vertebrae. Medical researchers report that a higher number of people who received spinal manipulation had at least a 50% reduction in their pain compared to people who took pain meds.
1. Graston Technique^® — This therapy method involves your physical therapist using a metal tool to apply pressure and friction to neck soft tissue. It’s useful for breaking down scar tissue in your neck that could be contributing to your pain. It can also help reduce muscle tension and realign the cervical spine. Additionally, a study of neck pain treatment shows that the Graston Technique and other therapy methods helped reduce neck pain by 50%.
Find treatment for your burning neck pain at Panther Physical Therapy

Worried about taking pain meds for your burning neck pain? Our therapists at Panther PT can help you reduce your pain so you won’t need those meds anymore. We’ll start by doing a free screening of your neck to determine the cause of your pain. Then, our team will build you a personalized therapy plan designed to reduce your pain naturally.

Keen to get help without leaving home? No problem! Our physical therapists can work with you in virtual therapy or at-home care sessions designed to provide you with therapy in your own home.

Contact our team today for more information about our neck pain treatment services or to schedule an initial appointment.
December 3, 2020
Why do I have neck pain when looking up?
Most of us aren’t conscious of how often we look up every day. At least, we aren’t until this movement starts to be painful for us.

Determining the specific cause of your neck pain on your own can be difficult. However, a physical therapist can help you learn the source of your neck pain when looking up. This is possible because these specialists are experts in the human musculoskeletal system. They also have experience treating a wide range of painful neck conditions and injuries.

Three issues that can cause neck pain when you look up

There are many issues that could be causing you neck pain when looking upward. Typically, these issues affect either the neck muscles, discs or vertebrae. Three of the most common neck issues that could be causing your pain are:
1. Muscle strains — The muscles in your neck can become overstretched. As a result, they’ll become painful when you move your head and neck. Muscle strains can come from many different sources. For instance, a car accident can lead to whiplash that strains your neck muscles. Frequently sleeping with poor neck posture can also lead to this issue.
1. Herniated discs — This issue can also be related to whiplash. It can also be caused by a head impact during sports. Herniated discs occur when the cushioning disc between two vertebrae is damaged. This can lead to nerve irritation, pain and other symptoms.
1. Vertebrae fractures — A cervical vertebrae fracture can also lead to severe pain when looking upward. A broken vertebrae can be caused by a fall where your neck strikes something. Severe impacts on the head and neck area can also lead to this injury.
How can a physical therapist reduce your neck pain when looking up?

There are multiple steps that a physical therapist can take to decrease your neck pain. First, they’ll do a comprehensive assessment of your neck. This could include moving your neck in various directions and asking about the pain you experience.

The purpose of this assessment is to determine which therapy methods can be most beneficial for you. Some of the therapy techniques your physical therapist could choose to use include:
Find ways to reduce neck pain when looking up at Border Therapy Services

Tired of feeling neck pain every time you look up? Our therapy specialists at Border Therapy Services are ready to help diagnose and treat the source of your pain. We offer comprehensive screenings designed to reveal the specific cause of your neck symptoms. In addition, our physical therapists are adept at building individualized therapy plans. These plans are intended to reduce your pain and prevent it from returning.

Contact us today for more information about the therapy services we offer for neck pain or to schedule an initial appointment.
November 13, 2020
Two stretches you should try if you have neck and shoulder pain
Helping your kids get ready for school in the morning. Typing an email at work. Checking the traffic at a stop sign. These are just some of the normal daily activities that can be tougher when you have neck and shoulder pain.

It’s an unfortunate fact that many people will end up dealing with these types of pain at some point. Medical research reports that up to 70% of people will have neck pain in their lifetime. Studies also reveal that up to 66.7% of people will develop shoulder pain at some time in their life. Physical therapists can help you find effective treatment for neck pain and shoulder pain, and the treatment plans created by these specialists will often include stretching exercises like:
1. The levator scapulae stretch
One stretch that physical therapists may prescribe to treat neck and shoulder pain is the levator scapulae stretch. The levator scapulae is a muscle that runs from the neck to the shoulder blade, and its primary job is to lift the shoulder blade. It also plays a role in bending the neck to the side and rotating it right or left. Stretching this muscle can help realign the neck and shoulders, which can help decrease pain.

How to do the levator scapulae stretch
- Find an open door and stand near the opening with good posture.
- Place your right forearm on the wall or door frame with your hand pointed up toward the ceiling.
- Lean forward slightly.
- Move your head down and to the left until you feel a stretch in your neck and shoulder. It should look like you’re trying to put your chin in your armpit.
- Hold the stretch for 10 seconds.
- Return to the starting position; then switch arms and repeat these steps to stretch the other side of your neck and other shoulder.
- Continue to repeat the steps until you’ve stretched both sides three times.
1. The butterfly stretch
Another stretch your physical therapy plan for neck and shoulder pain may include is the butterfly stretch. This stretch is designed to target the trapezius muscle, which is a large, triangular muscle that attaches to the neck, shoulder and middle back. You have one of these muscles on each side of your spine, and they help move the neck and support the shoulders and arms.

How to do the butterfly stretch
- Begin by standing up with good posture.
- Place each palm on the opposite shoulder so that your elbows form a butterfly shape.
- Slowly bring your elbows together until you feel a stretch in your shoulders and upper back.
- Hold the stretch for 10 to 15 seconds.
- Slowly let your elbows move away from each other.
- Rest for a few seconds, and then repeat the stretch until you’ve completed two to three repetitions.
Need more than stretches for neck and shoulder pain? Excel PT can help!

Stretches are one option for treating neck and shoulder pain, but our Excel Sports & Physical Therapy team can help you find many other treatment options as well. We’ll start by evaluating your neck and shoulders to pinpoint the root cause(s) of your pain. Next, our physical therapists will build you a personalized therapy plan designed to reduce your pain, and this plan can include stretches and therapy methods like:
- Soft tissue mobilization
- Joint mobilization
- Dry needling
- Aquatic therapy
- Astym^® therapy
- At-home care
- Virtual therapy
Contact our team today for more information about our physical therapy services for neck and shoulder pain or to schedule an initial appointment.
November 12, 2020
Understanding the relationship between stress and neck pain
There it is again. You’ve just finished a long, stressful day at work, and you start feeling pain in your neck. What you may not know is that stress and neck pain are more connected than you might think.

It’s not a secret that Americans tend to have high-stress lives. A study by the American Psychological Association (APA) found that 33% of Americans are living with extreme stress. Of these people, it’s reported that 77% experienced physical symptoms of stress. These statistics can help you see that stress and neck discomfort are connected, but they don’t reveal how they’re connected. Physical therapy specialists can educate you on how these two issues are connected.

How are stress and neck pain connected?

The basic answer to this question is that stress and neck pain are physically connected issues. Physical therapists are experts in the musculoskeletal system, which includes muscles. Typically, the path from psychological stress to physical neck pain follows these basic steps:
1. Stress triggers muscle tension — One common physical reaction to stress is to tense our muscles. In fact, it’s reported that 30% of people develop muscle tension when stressed. Many people tend to develop this tension in their neck muscles.
1. Stress releases hormones — Another physical reaction your body has to stress is to release hormones like cortisol. This hormone increases sensitivity to pain.
1. Tension reduces blood flow — Neck muscle tension causes blood vessels in the neck to shrink. This means that cortisol can build up in your neck muscles since your blood isn’t flowing as much.
1. Tension restricts movement and leads to pain — The tension in your neck muscles makes normal muscle movements more difficult. Combined with the high cortisol levels, this restriction can cause you to feel pain in your neck.
How can physical therapy help treat stress-related neck pain?

Physical therapists can build you a personalized therapy plan to treat neck pain and the stress that’s causing it. Such a plan could include therapy methods like:
- Manual therapy designed to decrease the tension in your neck muscles
- Dry needling to break down myofascial trigger points that have formed due to chronic neck muscle tension
- Therapeutic exercises intended to stretch the neck muscles and improve blood flow
- At-home care sessions that can help you avoid the stress of coming into a therapy clinic but still allow you to work with your physical therapist in person
- Virtual therapy sessions that allow you to work with your physical therapist over a secure online video feed.
Back in Motion offers effective physical therapy for stress-related neck pain

Tired of endless cycles of stress and neck pain? Our team at Back in Motion offers physical therapy designed to break this cycle. We can perform a comprehensive evaluation to pinpoint what issues are contributing to your neck pain. Then, our physical therapists can construct an individualized therapy plan intended to reduce your pain and prevent it from recurring.

Contact us today for more information about our neck pain treatment services or to schedule your initial appointment.
November 10, 2020
Can neck pain cause headaches? What can you do about it?
The short answer to the question “Can neck pain cause headaches?” is yes. However, we suspect you want to know more.

You want to know not only how neck pain can cause your headaches. You want to know what causes it and how you can treat and prevent it.

How does neck pain cause headaches?

Your neck bears the important responsibility of supporting the weight off your head and guiding your head in looking in multiple different directions. This is possible thanks to the work of several muscles, tendons, ligaments and your spine. When one or more of these parts in your neck are injured or subject to irritation, inflammation or a chronic condition, it can affect your entire neck and even your head.

Neck pain often causes an increase of pressure on the nerves running through your spine. This pressure on the nerves is irritating and leads to pain that can spread from your neck into your head since it is in such close proximity with the affected areas of your neck. This pressure directly corresponds to the development of headaches known as cervicogenic headaches.

Treating neck pain and headaches

Treatments for neck pain and headaches vary depending on the cause and severity of your pain. In many circumstances, physical therapy can help reduce and prevent neck pain and headaches.

Physical therapy treatments look different for everyone, but in general, you can expect physical therapy for your neck pain and headaches to include:
- Mild stretches
- Gentle exercises
- Soft tissue mobilization techniques
- Joint mobilization techniques
- Posture guidance
- Nutrition information
- Patient education and more
Visit Rehab Access for neck pain and headache treatment

Are you suffering from constant neck pain and headaches and don’t know what to do? Our team at Rehab Access can help. We can examine your condition to identify the cause of your neck pain and develop a personalized treatment routine to help you reduce and prevent neck pain and headaches.. Contact our team today for more information about neck pain and headaches or to schedule an initial appointment.
November 4, 2020
Why do I have neck pain when looking down?
Neck pain is one of the most common types of chronic pain. Occasional soreness after a long day of sitting with poor posture is usually nothing to be worried about and goes away with a little time and home treatment. However, prolonged neck pain can occur when you have a condition or injury in your neck.

When you have pain in your neck, it doesn’t always affect the entire neck. In many cases, people complain of only having neck pain when looking down.

What causes neck pain when looking down?

Neck pain when looking down can occur for a few reasons. It’s best to visit a health care professional like a physical therapist for an examination instead of trying to diagnose yourself.

Some of the most common causes of neck pain when looking down include:
- Strain — Strain is the leading cause of neck pain. The muscles can be strained due to overuse in physical activity or from poor posture, such as when sitting at a desk hunched over all day.
  Strain is an increasingly common problem for people because of smartphone usage. Instead of staring down at your phone when using it, try holding it more toward eye level to help prevent straining your neck.
- Herniated disc — Repetitive strain or an injury can cause one of the discs in your spine to herniate. This means that the fluid from the disc has escaped and is spreading around the spinal canal, which puts painful pressure on the nerves running through the spine.
- Arthritis — Arthritis is the degeneration of cartilage tissue in your joints, which can include the joints in your spine. When this happens, it can make it painful for you to look down or in other directions.
Treating neck pain when looking down

If your neck pain is connected to poor posture, then this is one of the first things your physical therapist will focus on. Correcting your posture can help reduce strain and prevent neck pain.

Additionally, your physical therapist may guide you through treatments like:
- Therapeutic strengthening exercises
- Gentle stretches
- Soft tissue mobilization
- Joint mobilization
Visit Continuum Wellness for neck pain treatment

Do you feel like you always have neck pain when looking down? It’s time to visit a physical therapist for help, so you can get back to enjoying your daily life without neck pain interrupting it. Contact our team today for more information about neck pain when looking down or to schedule an initial appointment.
November 3, 2020
What to do about neck pain when looking up
You rely on your neck every day for nearly everything you do. When pain immobilizes it or keeps you from looking in certain directions, it can be difficult to get through the day. Neck pain can affect people in many different ways. One way you may be experiencing neck pain is you only have neck pain when looking up.

Neck pain when looking up can have a wide range of causes. Usually, it’s related to a strain in one of your muscles or tendons, but it could also be the result of arthritis or degenerative disc disease (DDD).

If you have had neck pain when looking up for a while now, you should visit a professional for treatment.

Treating neck pain when looking up with physical therapy

Physical therapists specialize in a wide range of methods that they can use to help treat your pain and make it easier for you to move your neck again. Every treatment is personalized to your specific circumstances, but generally, you can expect treatment to include:
- Gentle stretching — Some gentle stretches can help improve the range of motion and flexibility of your muscles in your neck to help reduce strain and pain.
- Therapeutic exercises — Therapeutic exercises help improve the strength of your muscles, which helps provide support for the spine and head and reduces pressure on the nerves in your spine.
- Posture adjustment — Poor posture is a common cause of neck pain when looking up. Your physical therapist can assess your posture and guide you through changes that can help reduce and prevent pain.
  
  Additionally, lack of support while sleeping can put a lot of pressure on your spine. Make sure your pillow provides enough support and keeps your spine in alignment. A pillow that is too big or too small can contribute to your neck pain when looking up.
Visit Rehab Access for neck pain treatment

Home remedies can only do so much for your neck pain. It’s important to visit a health care professionals when home treatments don’t work or if you’re not sure about the severity of your condition.

Our physical therapists at Rehab Access can examine your neck and diagnose the cause of your pain. They can use what they learn from their examination and review of your medical history to develop a personalized treatment routine for reducing and preventing neck pain.

Do you suffer from frequently recurring neck pain when looking up? We are here to help you reduce your pain and improve your quality of life. Contact our team today for more information about neck pain when looking up or to schedule an initial appointment.
November 2, 2020
Important foundational information about head and neck pain
Who out there hasn’t experienced head and neck pain? The sobering answer is that very few people make it through life without experiencing one or both of these types of pain.

It’s estimated that neck pain affects more than 21% of people annually, and headaches will affect 96% of people in their lifetime. When your pain is severe or lasts for a long time, you may need professional help. Physical therapists can help reduce your head and neck pain. They can also discuss the symptoms that accompany these forms of pain with you. These specialists can also help you learn about common causes of your head and neck pain and therapy techniques that can treat them.

Symptoms of neck pain

Neck pain is usually related to strain or overuse. This kind of pain is mild and should last for no more than a few days. However, some neck pain can be related to something more serious. Pay attention to these symptoms to know when you should seek help for your neck pain:
- Dull and achy or sharp pain that is severe or lasts for long periods of time
- Pain that increases when holding your neck in a specific position
- Limited motion of the head and neck
- Tightness in the muscles of your neck that may spread into your shoulders
- Headaches
Symptoms of head pain

Headaches and other types of head pain can occur for many reasons, but not all these reasons are emergency situations. Neck pain can be related to more serious conditions, though. Some of the signs that can indicate you need professional help include:
- Pain that is severe or lasts longer than a few days
- Feeling weak or numb on one side of your body
- Vomiting and nausea
- Fainting
- Difficulty speaking, seeing or walking
- Fever of 102 degrees Fahrenheit or higher
Causes of neck pain

Minor neck pain may be caused by poor posture or sleeping in an awkward position, but chronic neck pain can be caused by:
- Strains — Although poor posture can cause short-term neck pain, it can also lead to chronic pain. Too many hours with your head down looking at a computer screen or your cellphone can strain the muscles and cause pain in your neck.
- Arthritis — Arthritis breaks down the cartilage in your joints, including those of your spine, which causes pain and loss of mobility.
- Herniated discs — The discs between your vertebrae can balloon out, or herniate. A herniated disc can put painful pressure on the nerves in your spine.
- Traumatic injury — A hard impact or whiplash can cause injury to your spine or the muscles and ligaments in your neck, resulting in pain and loss of mobility.
- Severe illness — A serious disease like meningitis or cancer can cause neck pain.
Causes of head pain

Some headaches are minor and require no more than rest and pain medication, but other cases of neck pain are related to serious causes, such as:
Diagnosing neck pain and head pain

A medical professional can examine your symptoms and perform some tests to analyze the cause of your neck pain or head pain. Some of the tests that physicians use to diagnose your condition include:
- X-rays
- CT scan
- MRI
- Blood analysis
- EMG – electromyography, which measures nerve function
Treating neck and head pain

As mentioned before, neck pain and head pain are often connected with one another. The inability of your neck muscles and ligaments to support your head can put pressure on the nerves, which can lead to headaches. There are eight nerves that spread from your spinal cord throughout your head and neck and shoulders, so it’s likely that discomfort to one of these nerves can affect your head and neck.

Treatments for neck pain and head pain can include:
- Manual therapy — Manipulating the neck through hands-on therapy, movement or trigger point therapy.
- Targeted exercises — Specific therapeutic exercises to help strengthen muscles around your neck will help you regain your muscular endurance for everyday life.
- Ergonomics recommendations — If you have a job that requires you to sit at a computer or otherwise exacerbate your neck pain, your physical therapist may suggest modifications that can be added to your daily routine. Such modifications may include a new ergonomic desk and chair that can help reduce injury risk.
Treating neck and head pain at Advent Physical Therapy

Need help treating neck and head pain? Our Advent Physical Therapy team is here to help you. We offer free screenings intended to pinpoint the root cause of your pain. Additionally, our physical therapists excel at creating personalized therapy plans designed to reduce pain and prevent its recurrence.

Things keeping you at home? No problem! Our team offers therapy services that you can use from home, including at-home care and virtual therapy sessions. Even better, it’s not necessary for you to get a doctor’s referral before coming to see us.

Contact our team today for more information about how we can assist with your head and neck pain or to schedule an initial appointment.
October 1, 2020
Living with a stiff and achy neck? Physical therapy can help!
Everyone wakes up feeling some pain in their joints or muscles from time to time. But if you find yourself consistently waking up stiff and achy, you could be dealing with an issue that needs professional treatment.

Aching or stiffness in your body can be a minor problem that is easily remedied. In other cases, your doctor may have diagnosed a condition or ailment that will benefit from physical therapy. Physical therapists work with a wide range of patients who struggle with aches and pains. This includes patients who are dealing with stiffness and pain in their neck.

Issues that can cause a stiff and achy neck

If you’ve been diagnosed with a medical condition that impacts your neck, physical therapy can probably help. Here are some of the neck issues that can be treated with the help of a physical therapist:
Ways a physical therapist can help your stiff and achy neck

Your physical therapy regimen will largely depend on your specific symptoms or diagnosis. However, there are several therapy techniques that are commonly used to treat stiff and achy necks. Some of these techniques are:
- Therapeutic exercises — Your physical therapist will show you how to do stretches and strengthening exercises. These can help improve joint alignment, reduce pain and increase joint mobility.
- Ergonomic recommendations — If your work requires you to sit at a desk for long hours, you can be at high risk of developing poor head and neck posture. When we use bad posture, it puts strain on areas of the body that weren’t meant to be stressed. Your therapy specialist can show you ergonomic ways to improve posture when sitting or standing. In turn, this can help reduce neck pain.
Other commonly used therapy methods for neck issues include:
- Manual therapy
- McKenzie Method^®
- Trigger point therapy
- Graston Technique^®
Panther Physical Therapy can help treat your stiff and achy neck

Are you tired of living with a stiff and achy neck? Our team at Panther Physical Therapy can help you find relief from your stiffness and discomfort. We offer free screenings intended to reveal the root cause of your neck symptoms. In addition, our physical therapists can construct a personalized therapy plan designed to reduce your neck pain and other symptoms. We even offer therapy services like virtual therapy and at-home care that you can use from home.

Don’t wait to start getting our help with your neck issue. Contact our team today for more information about our high-quality therapy services or to schedule an initial appointment.
August 3, 2020
Neck pain when looking up but not down? Here’s what the cause might be
Most people don’t think about how much they look up or move their head upward. At least, they don’t until their neck starts to hurt when they look upward.

People who feel neck pain when looking up aren’t alone. It’s estimated that up to 50% of Americans experience neck pain annually, and up to 70% of people are likely to deal with neck pain in their lifetime. Physical therapists can help you determine the cause of your neck pain. There are two issues that could be causing neck pain when you look up.

Two conditions that can cause neck pain when looking up

There are many issues that can lead to neck pain when you’re looking up, and an experienced physical therapist can help you determine which specific issue is affecting your neck.

Two issues that are likely to cause this type of neck pain are:
1. Cervical spondylosis — This issue is more commonly known as neck osteoarthritis. Researchers estimate that more than 85% of people over 60 have this condition. Cervical spondylosis occurs in the facet joints of the neck, and it’s typically the result of natural age-related wear and tear. Neck pain during certain movements is common with this issue. Additionally, you might experience neck muscle spasms, headaches, or popping or crackling sensations in your neck.
1. Cervical strain — Cervical strain includes the overstretching of muscles, ligaments or tendons in the neck. Whiplash is one of the top reasons people experience this issue, and it’s estimated that whiplash alone causes up to 1 million cases of cervical strain annually. Commonly, cervical strain leads to symptoms like neck stiffness or pain, tenderness in the neck and decreased range of motion.
Get effective help for your neck pain at Armor Physical Therapy

Wondering where to get help for neck pain when looking up? Look no further than Armor Physical Therapy. Our team of therapy specialists offers many services that can help you treat and prevent the recurrence of neck pain. We offer free screenings designed to help reveal the cause of your pain. Our specialists also excel at constructing personalized therapy plans for a variety of neck issues.

We even offer virtual care and at-home therapy for patients who are unable to make an in-clinic visit. Even better, you can use any of our services without a doctor’s referral.

Don’t wait to start getting our help with your neck pain. Contact us today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.
July 3, 2020