Chronic neck pain and stiffness are not just occasional discomforts but can seriously limit the ability to perform everyday activities. Luckily, physiotherapy Edmonton provides a holistic approach to addressing chronic neck pain and stiffness, offering relief while targeting the root causes. Edmonton physiotherapy reduces immediate discomfort and strengthens the body to prevent recurrence.
Understanding Chronic Neck Pain and Stiffness
Chronic neck pain isn’t just about waking up with a stiff neck after a stormy night’s sleep. It is a recurring or ongoing discomfort lasting for months or even years. This pain will stem from various causes, such as:
- Degenerative disc disease: As we age, the intervertebral discs between the bones in the cervical spine can wear down, leading to osteoarthritis or cervical spondylosis, which can cause chronic pain and stiffness.
- Whiplash or other injuries: Trauma, such as whiplash from a car accident or even from sports injuries, can cause lasting muscle tension, joint dysfunction, and scar tissue that leads to chronic pain if left untreated.
- Tension and stress: Stress often leads to tightness in the neck and shoulders, causing the muscles to contract. This can become a vicious cycle, with stress worsening the pain and vice versa.
- Other medical conditions: Certain conditions, such as fibromyalgia, can contribute to widespread pain, including chronic neck stiffness and discomfort.
How Physiotherapy Can Help With Chronic Pain?
Physiotherapy offers a tailored, multifaceted approach to chronic neck pain that goes beyond temporary relief.
Electrical Stimulation
Physiotherapists may use modalities, such as electrical stimulation, to treat persistent cases of chronic neck pain.
- Electrical stimulation involves mild electrical currents to the muscles and surrounding tissues. This treatment aims to reduce pain, promote muscle relaxation, and improve function in the affected area. By stimulating the nerves and muscles, electrical currents can disrupt pain signals travelling to the brain and encourage the release of endorphins—natural pain-relieving chemicals. It also helps reduce muscle spasms and improve blood flow to manage chronic pain.
Manual Therapy for Immediate Relief
Manual therapy involves the physiotherapist’s hands-on techniques to manipulate the neck’s muscles and joints. These techniques include soft tissue mobilization, joint mobilization, and myofascial release, all of which aim to reduce tension, improve circulation, and enhance movement.
- Soft tissue massage: Helps release muscle tightness and break down scar tissue, promoting better blood flow and reducing inflammation. To perform soft tissue massage for chronic pain, a therapist applies targeted pressure using their hands, fingers, or tools to knead and stretch the muscles. This process involves working through layers of muscle tissue and applying more pressure to reach deeper areas.
- Joint mobilization: This technique targets stiff or dysfunctional joints in the cervical spine, gently encouraging them to move more freely and restore their natural range of motion. Joint mobilization requires precise manipulation of the joints through gentle oscillations or gliding motions. The goal is to increase the range of motion without causing pain, which is especially useful for chronic pain sufferers who may be sensitive to aggressive movements.
A trained professional should perform both techniques to ensure proper technique and effectiveness.
Targeted Exercises to Strengthen and Stabilize
One of the cornerstones of physiotherapy in Edmonton for chronic neck pain is exercise therapy. Weak cervical muscles make the neck more vulnerable to strain, especially in individuals with chronic neck pain. Strengthening exercises help build resilience in these muscles, providing better support for the head and neck.
Example: Isometric Neck Exercises
- How it works: Isometric exercises involve contracting the neck muscles without moving the neck, which helps to build strength without excessive strain on the cervical spine.
- How to perform: Sit upright with the spine neutral. Place one hand on the forehead. Gently press the forehead into the hand while resisting the hand’s hand’s movement. Hold this position for 5-10 seconds, then relax. Repeat with the hand placed on the back of the head, then on each side, resisting movement from all directions. Perform ten repetitions on each side.
Ergonomic Adjustments
Physiotherapists educate patients and offer ergonomic recommendations for daily routines. These adjustments may include:
1. Setting Up the Workspace
Ergonomics play a critical role in preventing neck strain. The workspace should be adjusted to support a neutral spine position, minimizing neck stress. Physiotherapists may recommend:
- Adjusting chair height: The chair should be high enough that the feet rest on the floor and the hips are level with or slightly higher than the knees.
- Proper screen height: The top of the computer screen must be at or below eye level to prevent looking down or craning the neck. This encourages a neutral head position, reducing strain on the cervical spine.
- Desk setup: Keep the keyboard and mouse within easy reach to avoid hunching forward or raising the shoulders.
2. Changing Daily Habits
Since sitting for a long duration can lead to neck pain, it’s vital to incorporate regular breaks and stretches into the routine. Physiotherapists often advise:
- Frequent breaks: Take a break every 30 minutes to stand up, stretch, and walk around. This helps relieve the constant pressure on the neck and spine from sitting.
- Stretching: Simple neck stretches, like gently tilting the head side to side or performing chin tucks, can relieve muscle tension and maintain flexibility.
Take Control of the Neck Pain Today
Don’t let chronic neck pain and stiffness limit your life. Contact Next Step Physiotherapy Clinic today to schedule a consultation with our expert physiotherapists. If you or your loved one is looking for “physiotherapy near me,” reach out to our physiotherapy clinic. Our team will work with the patient to develop a customized treatment plan that deals with the root cause of pain and aids the patient enjoy life without constant discomfort.
Reach out to physiotherapy in Edmonton for a pain-free future!
