Do you wake up with a stiff neck that you have to deal with throughout the day? Does your stiff neck sometimes turn into pain or even headaches? This is not unusual, as many of us are so accustomed to looking at our phones or computer screens for extended periods of time. There can be many different causes of a stiff neck. Regardless of the underlying condition, neck discomfort or even pain can put a damper on daily life.
Are you wondering how to get rid of your stiff neck? Physical therapy can provide a safe and effective way to loosen up your neck muscles and get you feeling normal once again.
What could be causing your neck problems?
Over time, your lifestyle can contribute to chronic neck stiffness or pain. If you’re at your desk all day, or have poor sitting or standing posture, you may develop neck problems because the muscles are strained over time. This occurs when the alignment of your spine isn’t straight, like when your shoulders are rounded or your neck is forward.
Another cause of neck problems can be trauma or an injury, like if you sustained a sports-related injury, or were in a car accident.
How physical therapy can help get rid of a stiff neck
Physical therapy can help your neck feel like normal again. The treatment recommended by your physical therapist will depend on the severity of your neck stiffness, or if you experience neck pain. To determine the most effective treatment, the physical therapist will start by performing a thorough evaluation of your neck and try to determine how to treat the underlying condition causing the stiffness.
Some common techniques used in physical therapy for neck stiffness include:
- Manual therapy — This is a hands-on technique for tackling neck stiffness. Manual therapy is like targeted massage which stimulates blood flow to the soft tissue and can help relieve tension.
- Targeted exercises — Your physical therapist will show you the most effective exercises for strengthening your neck muscles, which can help improve your posture. With better posture comes reduced neck tension and less stiffness.
- Ergonomic adjustments — Your sitting and standing posture has a direct impact on how your neck feels every day. Your physical therapist will evaluate your posture and recommend adjustments that can help take the pressure off your neck.
Panther Physical Therapy is ready to help you get rid of your stiff neck
No matter the cause of your neck problems, our expert team at Panther Physical Therapy can help you reduce the pain and discomfort you feel in your neck. We are prepared to build you a personalized treatment plan to reduce your neck stiffness, strengthen your neck muscles and improve your posture.
Contact our team today for more information about how we can get rid of your neck stiffness or to schedule an initial appointment.