Neck & Back Pain

Capstone Physical Therapy can help you to reduce symptoms of back and neck pain. Many factors contribute to neck and back pain, such as motor vehicle accidents/whiplash, posture, lifting injuries, sports injuries, and stress. These factors can harm any area of the spine, including neck, upper back, lower back, and the tailbone. If you have been injured in an accident or are experiencing pain, consider talking to a physical therapist about your pain management program. Any chronic pain should be evaluated by a doctor, especially if it interferes with work, hobbies or sleep.

Common sources of back and neck pain that can be treated by physical therapy include the following:

• Abnormalities in the bone or joints
• Trauma
• Poor posture
• Degenerative diseases
• Tumors
• Muscle strain
• Disc herniation
• Osteoarthritis or osteoporosis
• Inadequate footwear

Your physical therapist will work with you to develop an individualized treatment plan to address your specific case. The focus of your phyiscal therapy treatments will address the source of your pain. A phyiscal therapist will also offer information about your spine and factors that cause pain. Sometimes manual therapy techniques or flexibility exercises can also be effective. A physical therapist will also give you strengthening exercises for home and teach you how to limit future problems.

Physical therapy is especially important after spinal surgery. Therapy can strengthen the muscles around the spine and restore flexibility. It can also address underlying problems, such as poor posture, and help to prevent the need for future surgeries. Patients who follow through with physical therapy after a spinal injury or surgery are more likely to return to their former activity level than those who simply convalesce.