Physiotherapy for neck pain: A therapy that works

Neck pain, called cervical pain, is nowadays one of the most common complaints. Most of them are associated with poor posture combined with the natural wear and tear caused by age. The cervical spine is characterised by greater mobility than other areas of the spine and can therefore be more susceptible to discomfort.

When is neck pain common?

There are many reasons that can cause you to suffer from neck pain, among the main ones we highlight:

• We may experience pain when we hold a position for a long period of time.
• Many hours of slouching in front of a computer, driving or sleeping in an uncomfortable position will lead to overload, muscle spasms, dizziness or headaches.
• On the other hand, a process of osteoarthritis that wears down the vertebrae also causes stiffness and limited mobility, or whiplash due to an accident.
• Other symptoms such as loss of strength, sensation, tingling, numbness in the arms or hands, or sharp pain from the shoulder, head or jaw sustained for days are probably due to nerve compression from a bulging or herniated disc.
• Also, stress, anxiety or depression can tighten the neck muscles and trigger pain.
• In addition to these emotional causes, the unconscious habit of clenching or grinding the teeth (bruxism) can also play a role in neck pain.

How does physiotherapy for neck pain work?

Treatment of neck complaints will depend on the cause or mechanism of injury. Physiotherapy can be an effective treatment formula. Manual massage and myofascial induction are very effective in working the muscles and fascia, together with joint mobilisation exercises, traction and stretching. We can also use equipment such as electrotherapy, INDIBA, ultrasound, infrared, microwave or short wave, which will increase the temperature superficially or deeply, relaxing the muscles, activating circulation, reducing inflammation, reducing pain and accelerating the recovery process.

Another essential factor in the healing process is proprioception exercises, which are necessary to achieve greater motor control of the position and movement of the neck. In this sense, the practice of the original Pilates method is fundamental as it develops body awareness, works on the correct alignment of the body and spine, increases the strength of the stabilising musculature, improves the weak musculature and the coordination of muscular activity. All this leads to greater mobility, consistency and fluidity in the cervical function and, as a consequence, reduces pain.

In short, neck pain is a common condition that can be effectively treated with physiotherapy. Through various techniques and exercises, it is possible to relieve pain and improve neck mobility. If you are suffering from neck pain and are looking for solutions, we recommend you consider the physiotherapy in Madrid as an option to improve your wellbeing and quality of life. The combination of manual treatments and specific exercises can make a big difference to your recovery.