When you need physical therapy for neck pain in O’Fallon, MO

treating neck pain

Pain in your neck makes it difficult to move your head, which affects your ability to live your daily life. You may choose to treat neck pain with pain medications, but these aren’t the best choice for treating many of the conditions that cause neck pain. If you have sudden or long-lasting neck pain, you may need physical therapy for treatment.

When you should see a physical therapist for neck pain treatment

Occasional neck pain is a normal part of life, so you may be wondering how to tell the difference between normal neck pain and a condition that requires treatment. If you’re ever in doubt, it’s safe to visit your health care provider just in case. However, here are some signs that you need treatment for neck pain: 

  • Your neck pain lasts for a long time — Neck pain that lasts for longer than a week or frequently recurs may be the sign of a serious condition. Physical therapists can help reduce and prevent this kind of pain by strengthening and stretching the muscles in your neck.
  • Your neck pain occurred after an impact — An impact to the neck or a collision that causes the neck to jerk can cause painful conditions like whiplash. These conditions last for a long time and limit your ability to move your neck. Without treatment, they can grow worse and require more invasive treatments like surgery.
  • You’ve had spine surgery — Some conditions that cause neck pain require surgery for treatment. In these cases, physical therapists can still help. Physical therapists can guide you through exercises and stretches while you recover to help you reduce pain and regain the use of your neck.
  • You have frequent headaches — Headaches can be caused by tension in the neck that puts pressure on the nerves in your spine. Exercises, stretches and other physical therapy techniques can reduce this tension and improve the strength and flexibility of your neck muscles. This reduces pressure off the nerves, which helps prevent headaches. 

Visit Excel Sports & Physical Therapy in O’Fallon, MO, for neck pain treatment

Do you have sudden or chronic neck pain that is affecting your quality of life? Our physical therapists at Excel Sports & Physical Therapy in O’Fallon, Missouri, are ready to treat your neck pain. Contact our team today for more information about neck pain treatment or to schedule an initial appointment.