Degenerative disc disease can be a serious issue, and it’s typically caused by the natural wear and tear of aging. What happens is that the cushioning discs in your spine lose water as you age. This causes them to become thinner, and it makes them more vulnerable to injury. Many people experience degenerative disc disease in their neck, which is also called the cervical spine. Physical therapists in Wexford, Pennsylvania, can help you find ways to treat this condition, and one of the most commonly used treatment options is therapeutic exercises.
- Chin tucks
One type of therapy exercise that can benefit cervical degenerative disc disease is chin tucks. One reason this exercise is helpful is that it can help stretch muscles in the neck at the base of the skull. In addition, chin tucks are designed to help improve neck posture and decrease neck pain.
To start this exercise, your therapist will likely recommend that you sit in a stable chair. This means that those rolling, swiveling office chairs are out. They’ll also ask you to sit with your shoulders slightly back. From this starting position, slowly let your head move backward until you have a double chin. The goal is to move your head without moving any other part of your body. Once you’ve moved your head backward, you should feel a stretch in your neck, and you’ll want to hold this stretch for about five seconds. After counting off five seconds, allow your head to return to the start position. Take a short break and then repeat these steps until you’ve done 10 repetitions.
- Side bending stretch
Tight muscles in the side of your neck can lead to increased pain and discomfort when you have cervical degenerative disc disease. To help you stretch these muscles, your therapist may show you a therapeutic exercise called the side bending stretch.
The side bending stretch can be done seated, but some people may prefer to do it standing up. In either case, start with your back straight and have your shoulders back. Your head should also be centered over your shoulders before beginning this exercise. Once you’re in this starting position, slowly tilt your head to the right until you feel a stretch in the left side of your neck. Hold this stretch for 15 to 20 seconds and then return your head to the start position. Use these same steps to stretch the right side of your neck, and you should continue repeating the steps until you’ve stretched both sides of your neck five times.
Panther Physical Therapy in Wexford, PA, is ready to help with your cervical degenerative disc disease
At Panther Physical Therapy in Wexford, our team of therapy specialists is committed to providing you with the most effective physical therapy for your neck issues. The main reason our therapy can be so effective is that it’s personalized to each patient. You see, we do a free screening to discover the source of your neck issues. Only then do we build an individualized therapy plan for you, and this plan may include therapy techniques such as:
- Therapeutic exercises
- Electrical stimulation
- Trigger point therapy
- McKenzie Method®
Are you ready to start getting our help with your neck problem? Contact us today for more information or to schedule an appointment.