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Physiotherapy is the most common treatment for chronic neck pain. Most physiotherapy programs related to neck pain need application of treatments for reduction of pain and stiffness to then start an exercise regime to strengthen and stretch the neck. The different methods and exercises used in physiotherapy and the duration of the treatment varies from person to person.

Neck Pain:

Stiff neck or neck pain are common conditions but can affect the life in many ways. One might feel a sharp neck pain, dull muscle aches, headache, or inability to fully move the head or a sore neck; it can be frustrating at times but it is simple to fix most of the time by doing simple exercises at home. If the condition persists, it is advised to meet a physiotherapist.

Causes of Neck Pain:

The common causes of neck pain are:
  1. Mental health issues and stress
  2. Staying in poor postures for a long time; incorrect posture; sustained posture
  3. Muscular spasm or strains and underuse or overuse
  4. Minor injuries or falls
  5. Vehicle accidents
Also See: Spinal Decompression Therapy
Goals of Physiotherapy for Neck Pain:
Physiotherapy for neck pain typically includes the goals mentioned below:
  1. Reduction of stiffness and pain in the neck
  2. Improvement in range of motion in neck area and the head
  3. Development of dynamic strength of the neck and its support of musculature
  4. Development of strategies to prevent pain from coming again
Even if pain is not reduced completely, physiotherapy plays an important role to improve the posture of the neck and its function for regular movements.
Recommendation of Physiotherapy for Neck Pain:
Physiotherapy for the neck is recommended in many cases, like:
  1. Unspecified chronic pain: If the neck pain keeps recurring or lingers, the mechanism or source of pain may be difficult to identify. Even if diagnosis is not done, by increasing the strength of the muscles in the neck, we can support the spine and make it tolerable to the pain.
  2. Recovery from injury: Some injuries may damage the soft tissues of the neck and may result in neck pain that can go on for a week or so. A physiotherapy program helps in reducing pain and gets the neck to function normally.
  3. Recovery from surgery: Surgeries performed on the neck may result in pain and stiffness in the neck. Physiotherapy helps to work through stiffness, reduce or prevent painful spasms and increase neck function.
Physical Therapy Treatment Methods:
There are two main forms of physiotherapy:
  1. Passive physical therapy: It involves treatments without any effort from the patient. Many treatment methods are available, such as the application of ice packs, electrotherapy, massage therapy, heat therapy, ultrasound, and others. The goal of this form of physiotherapy is to reduce swelling and pain.
  2. Active physical therapy: It involves some efforts from the patient’s side. The patient might have to move his or her own body through stretches and exercises. The exercises improve the strength and flexibility in the neck, the muscles become less painful and will be able to maintain good posture; it reduces stress on the cervical spine.
The initial phase of physiotherapy for neck pain involves passive treatments, more active treatments might be incorporated in the plan as the time goes on.
Also See: Vestibular Rehabilitation
Efficacy of Physical Therapy in getting rid of Neck Pain:
Studies have proved that physiotherapy has a vital role to relieve neck pain. On-going medical literature suggests strong evidence that supports the benefits of physiotherapy and its role in the reduction of neck pain and improving the range of motion.
Exercises to Relieve Neck Pain at Home:
It is not always possible to visit the physiotherapist as the pain might occur at any time and it might not be a suitable hour to visit the physiotherapist. Here are some exercises that can be done to reduce the pain to a large extent. These exercises can be done anytime, anywhere. The exercises are mentioned below:
  1. Turn the neck sideways and hold in for five seconds on each side. This can be done 5 or 10 times depending on the condition and convenience.
  2. Tilt the neck downward and hold on for five seconds, get back to the original position; repeat the exercise 5 or 10 times.
  3. Tilt the neck sideways. Tilt the neck to the right side and hold for 5 seconds and slowly come back to original position. Do the same for the left side. This can be repeated 5 to 10 times.
  4. Rotate the neck slowly; tilt the head backward and slowly bring it towards the right shoulder, now slowly tilt it towards the chest, next slowly tilt it to the left shoulder and bring it back to the starting position. This was a rotation anticlockwise, repeat these steps 5 times; do the same for clockwise direction.
FAQs:
  1. Do pillows cause neck pain?
    Yes. It is important to use a good flat pillow to avoid neck pains.
  2. Does physiotherapy relieve neck pain?
    Yes, physiotherapy improves the condition and relieves the pain.