Physical Therapy for Neck Pain Relief

One of the best ways to relieve neck pain is through physical therapy Dubai services. However, the specific methods, approaches, courses of action, and duration of treatment would depend on the condition of the patient. In this post, let us take a look at how physical therapy could provide safe, effective, and reliable acute and chronic neck pain relief.

Physical therapy goals for neck pain.

The main goals of physical therapy are to:

• Reduce pain
• Alleviate stiffness
• Improve the range of motion of the head and neck
• Strengthen neck muscles and supporting anatomical structures
• Improve knowledge of the patient on how to manage and prevent neck pain

Even if physical therapy couldn’t eliminate pain, it can at least improve the patient’s overall condition and function. There are at least two types of physical therapy that can be used for neck pain treatment: passive and active.

Passive physical therapy

Passive physical therapy is used to reduce pain and stiffness of the neck. In this treatment, the patient stays passive and lets the therapists perform the procedure. Between passive and active physical therapy, the former is used first during treatment.

There are various types of passive physical therapy, including:

• Ice and heat therapy – cold compress is known to decrease swelling and pain, while a warm compress improves blood flow and relaxes stiff muscles. In most cases, ice and heat therapy are performed alternatively.
• Massage therapy – massage relaxes muscles and improves blood flow to the neck. When treating neck pain, therapists will also massage the surrounding and adjacent areas.
• Ultrasound – high-energy sound waves are used to deliver energy to the neck muscle and tissue. This aims to reduce pain and relax muscles.
• Electrotherapy – using mild electrical current, the therapists help reduce pain signals, promote muscle healing, and stimulate muscle contractions.

Active physical therapy

When neck stiffness and pain are reduced, active physical therapy can begin. The main goal of this treatment is to strengthen and improve neck flexibility. Moreover, other causes of neck pain are also checked. For example, a herniated disc may cause neck pain, which should also be considered during the treatment session.

In active physical therapy, the patient actively participates during the procedure. To give you an idea of active physical therapy, here are some of the examples to consider:

• Neck exercises and stretching – these exercises are prescribed to strengthen the muscles in and around the neck.
• Core and back strengthening – the core and back muscles help in promoting good posture. Strengthening these muscles would also help in eliminating neck pain.
• Aerobic exercise – this type of exercise improves the health of the lungs and heart while keeping the neck engaged.
• Aquatic exercise therapy – exercises done in water are a great way to exercise the neck and spine without exerting too much pressure. If pain is unbearable but exercise is required, aquatic exercise may be needed.

How effective is physical therapy?

Current studies and primary research have found that physical therapy helps reduce neck pain, improve muscle strength, and prevent further injury. This is evidenced by thousands of people reporting immediate and long-term relief after receiving physical therapy treatment. The effectiveness of physical therapy is even further increased when it is extended with other modes of treatment.

For example, frozen shoulder treatment is used if the neck pain originates from a frozen shoulder. Physical therapists know very well that sometimes the cause of the pain is outside the neck, and thus treatment extends beyond the neck.

Finding the right physical therapists

Now that you know how physical therapy can provide effective neck pain relief, you might be looking for a physical therapist. To save you time, energy, and money, you won’t regret choosing Scandinavian Physiotherapy Center.

They are among the best physical therapy service providers in Dubai, with the knowledge, skills, and experience to deliver nothing but excellent healthcare solutions. They don’t just offer neck pain treatment; they also provide manual lymphatic drainage, pediatric physiotherapy, sports and therapeutic massage, dry needling, and trigger point treatment, to name a few. Give them a call today to learn more!