When to see a physical therapist for neck pain treatment

Treatment for Neck Pain

The bones, joints, muscles and soft tissue in your neck have a lot of hard work to handle every day. You use your neck to turn your head in multiple directions many times throughout the day. Not only does this require a lot of endurance, but it also requires a lot of strength.

The average human head weighs around 10 pounds. Every time you hold your head forward, you increase the amount of pressure on your neck. Pressure increases by about 10 pounds for every inch forward you hold your head. This means when you stand or sit hunched over, you may be putting 30 or 40 pounds of pressure on your neck. It’s no wonder neck pain is so common in Americans.

Usually, minor occurrences of neck pain can be treated with some rest and home treatments. However, you may be wondering how you know when it’s time to see a specialist for neck pain. How do you tell the difference between normal neck pain and neck pain that requires treatment? Well, we hope to clear that up for you below.

Signs you need to get treatment for neck pain

Some symptoms that indicate you need professional treatment for neck pain include:

  • Pain that spreads throughout one or both of the arms
  • Numbness and weakness in the arms
  • Headache
  • Loss of balance
  • Loss of bladder control

Other symptoms may indicate that you need emergency medical assistance. These symptoms include:

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Confusion
  • Slurred speech
  • Sudden high fever
  • Light sensitivity

Visit Whatcom Physical Therapy for neck pain treatment

At Whatcom Physical Therapy, our team is trained and experienced in reducing neck pain caused by a variety of conditions, including:

  • Strain
  • Whiplash
  • Herniated disc
  • Degenerative disc disease
  • Arthritis
  • Spinal stenosis and more

If you have chronic neck pain or sudden pain from an injury, let one of our team members help you. We will examine your condition and develop a personalized treatment to help you reach your recovery goals. Contact our team today to learn more about neck pain treatment or to schedule an initial appointment.