Neck Pain Treatment in Wisconsin and North Dakota

Many people experience neck pain and discomfort throughout their lifetime. This pain may be correlated to a recent injury or strain, or it may be a chronic condition that has affected you every day. Whatever the cause, there are treatment options available from the specialists at Optimum Therapies to help relieve your neck pain.

Common Causes of Neck Pain

Most cases of neck pain are mild and will resolve themselves with adequate rest and minor at-home treatments like stretching and icing. There are a few common diagnoses seen in the clinic.

Muscle Strain

Pushing our bodies beyond their regular physical activity levels can often result in pulled muscles. It is also possible for these types of strains to develop from chronic habits such as poor posture while sitting at a computer or even while looking down at a book you are reading.

Spondylosis

Over time it is only natural that our bodies experience some wear and tear, which often affects the joints, including those of the neck. When the cartilage between the vertebrae begins to break down, it is expected for the neck to become more stiff and difficult to move.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that can cause inflammation of any joint throughout the body. When this condition occurs in the neck, individuals typically experience issues with pain, limited mobility, and decreased function of the neck.

A similar condition called fibromyalgia can also lead to neck pain as it often causes muscle pains within the upper body.

Serious Causes of Neck Pain

In some instances, neck pain can be an indicator of a severe condition of the neck that requires early intervention and treatment.

A Compressed Nerve

If a cervical disk becomes herniated or ruptured, this protruding disk can begin pressing on a nearby nerve. The pressure is often extremely painful and may also weaken nearby muscles of the neck or arm.

Whiplash Injury

Common in automobile accidents, whiplash is a condition that occurs when the neck has been overextended through rapid back-and-forth motion. It is necessary for this injury to be diagnosed and treated by a medical professional, who will be able to prescribe an appropriate method of treatment based on the results of the initial visit.

Spinal Stenosis

Often the result of another condition such as chronic arthritis or scoliosis, spinal stenosis describes the narrowing of the spinal column. When this occurs, it is common for the reduction in space to put increased amounts of pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots, which results in significant amounts of pain all along the spine and potentially into both arms.

Neck Cancer

It is also possible for persistent neck pain to be a symptom of cancer that is likely affecting the head and neck region. This pain is often accompanied by other symptoms that are not movement related.

If you notice any of the following signs or symptoms in addition to your neck pain, please contact a specialist immediately for a consultation:

Fever
Nausea
Vomiting
Loss of control over the bowels or bladder
Numbness
Tingling
Recurrent headaches
A noticeable lump
Inability to touch the chin to the chest
Severe pain that is brought on by an unknown cause
Swollen lymph nodes
Radiating pain down your arms or legs
Sudden inability to move your arms or hands

Diagnosis and Treatment

Depending on the underlying cause of your neck pain, your physical therapist will advise a course of treatment based on your unique needs and symptoms. Most cases can be treated using simple preventative measures and at-home treatments, though severe cases will likely require additional diagnostic testing to reveal which solution is ideal. Optimum Therapies has training in osteopathic and pilates techniques for the evaluation and treatment of neck pain. Osteopathic medicine offers the benefits of hands-on diagnosis and treatment while pilates allows our therapists to help retrain your movement and spinal stability.

If you have any questions or concerns about your own neck pain or additional symptoms, please contact Optimum Therapies today to schedule an appointment with our specialists. Call your preferred location directly to get started, or schedule a secure virtual consultation. We have clinics in Barron, Rice Lake, Menomonie, Lake Hallie, Eau Claire, and Bismarck.

Sources:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/neck-pain/symptoms-causes/syc-20375581

https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness-exercise/herniated-disk-exercises

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/whiplash/symptoms-causes/syc-20378921

https://www.healthline.com/health/neck-pain#when-to-seek-help