Neck pain is one of the most common body pains we all experience, especially as when get older. It is usually caused by poor posture, stress, bad sleeping positions, prolonged sitting, and long hours of hunching over our gadgets. The pain we feel in our necks usually goes away on its own after a few hours or a few days, but what does it mean if it keeps coming back no matter how much you rest or stretch?
Here, we will be sharing the common causes of neck pain, the possible reasons why it’s not going away, and how physical therapy can help.
Common Causes of Neck Pain
According to the National Health Institute, around 203 million people worldwide experienced neck pain in 2020, with women affected more often than men. Cases are expected to rise to 269 million by 2050, mainly due to population growth and aging. There are many possible reasons why your neck is hurting, and most of them are due to the bad habits that we have grown used to over time without even realizing it.
It’s important to correct these habits early because they can quietly put strain on your neck and shoulders every day. Here are some of the most common causes of neck pain that you might be doing without noticing:
- Poor posture
- Long hours on gadgets
- Bad sleeping positions
- Stress and tension
- Lack of movement
- Carrying heavy bags on one shoulder
- Previous neck or back injuries
- Working at a poorly set-up desk
- Weak neck or shoulder muscles
- Arthritis or other joint problems
Possible Reasons Why Your Neck Pain Isn’t Going Away
Knowing the possible causes of neck pain is just as important as taking action to make it go away. Unfortunately, not everyone realizes they aren’t doing the right things for their neck health. Some keep doing the same habits that caused the pain in the first place. Some of the potential reasons why your neck pain isn’t going away include:
- You may have an untreated condition like arthritis or a disc problem.
- Your sleeping position might be making your neck pain worse.
- You could be relying on painkillers instead of addressing the cause.
- You could be straining your neck too much through intense workouts or activities.
- You may be skipping proper treatment or recommended exercises.
- You might not be giving your neck enough time to rest and recover.
- You might be stressed out, which causes your neck muscles to tighten.
- You probably haven’t corrected your poor posture habits.
- Your previous injury may not be healing properly.
How Physical Therapy Helps with Neck Pain
Physical therapy is a trusted method for addressing chronic neck pain. But not everyone understands how it actually helps people who have this condition. Also, knowing when to visit a physical therapist can address the pain as early as possible. Here’s how physical therapy for neck pain works:
Teaches You the Right Postures for Better Neck Health
A lot of neck pain comes from the way we sit, stand, or even sleep. When you visit a physical therapist, they help you learn small but important changes to your posture so your neck isn’t under constant strain.
Some of the bad posture habits that put a lot of strain on our necks include slouching, carrying heavy bags on one shoulder, sleeping in awkward positions, and hunching over a phone or laptop. If you know the proper postures, you’ll put less pressure on your muscles and joints, and have a better chance for your neck to be at its best condition.
Reduces the Need for Pain Medications
Most humans are wired to think that whenever we feel pain, we take painkillers to ease the discomfort we’re feeling. However, it’s not a good habit to always opt for pain medications because they only mask the pain instead of fixing what’s really causing it. While the medicine can make you feel better for a little while, the problem will still be there, and it will likely return and even get worse if you keep ignoring it.
Physical therapy reduces the need for buying and taking painkillers, which saves you money and helps you avoid side effects from long-term pain medication use. This is because it addresses the underlying cause of the neck pain, not just masks the pain.
Addresses the Root Cause of Your Neck Pain
As mentioned earlier, physical therapy addresses the root cause of your neck pain through manual therapy, spinal manipulation, and more. It doesn’t matter if it has been going on for weeks or years, your physical therapist will make sure to determine the cause of the pain and address it through a treatment program that should help you feel better in no time.
Helps Your Neck Heal Faster
If you just recently had a neck injury, it’s expected that you will experience some sort of pain as you recover. Your body will try to heal on its own, but sometimes, you might need to give it a little support. Physical therapy can speed up the process by improving blood flow and gently moving your neck so that it can regain its mobility while helping it to recover faster.
The Bottom Line
For most people, neck pain is already a part of their daily lives. It could be that they’ve had it for a long time and they’ve already got used to feeling it. Physical therapy can help address neck pain in many ways, but you need to look for a trusted physical therapy and rehabilitation center. At PMP Pain Center, we have helped many patients suffering from neck pain find relief through our treatment programs. Book an appointment today to get started.
