CERVICAL SPINE (NECK)

 Physical Therapy For Neck

Although we provide physical therapy for all orthopedic conditions and work not only to improve your pain complaints, more importantly we treat each patient as a person rather than as a diagnosis. Taking this comprehensive approach to orthopedic conditions provides our patients with the best results for their goals.  That being said, we know that our patient population is now more educated and involved in their health than ever.  As such, we have created a few targeted pages (by body part) to help share the basics about the body regions commonly treated at BreakThrough Physical Therapy. 

Physical Therapy Overview to Treatment of the Head and Neck (Cervical Spine):
Physical Therapists treat a wide range of disorders as they relate to the head and neck.  Unfortunately nearly all of us will suffer from headaches or neck pain at some point in life.  Headaches (chronic and acute), temperomandibular joint (TMJ) pain and neck pain can be caused by many factors.  Often if left untreated, even minor periodic headaches or neck pain can be signs of early cervical degeneration and could easily lead to cervical radicular pain with symptoms such as pain, numbness, tingling and/or burning through the arm and into the hands and fingers.  Early intervention is critical to reducing pain in a timely fashion as well as the benefit of learning improved postures and body mechanics for a healthier, happier life.

At BreakThrough Physical Therapy, we begin your road to recovery with a comprehensive physical therapy evaluation.  This is critical in helping us to establish the best individualized treatment plan for you.  You will meet with one of our licensed physical therapists and they will ask a myriad of questions pertaining to you and your head, neck (cervical spine) or related symptoms in order to help determine the cause of the pain and limitations you are experiencing.  Once the lines of communication and trust have been established, your physical therapist will then take you through a series of tests to determine more specifically the areas/tissues which may be most painful, weak, tight or limiting you in any way.  Your physical therapist will then communicate their findings to you and educate you on the first portion of your home exercise program.  You, your physical therapist and our aide team will work together in the coming weeks to help you reduce pain, increase mobility, flexibility, strength and endurance of all related tissues.  You will also learn some key tips to improve postural habits and body mechanics.  Our goal is to see you successfully return to your desired lifestyle upon discharge or “graduation” from BreakThrough Physical Therapy.

Because of the muscular, bony, ligamentous, neural and myofascial connections between the tissues; detailed evaluation including a thorough history by a medical professional is strongly recommended.  Many individuals try to manage their symptoms on their own and delay heeling further.  We have found that this causes the need for more extensive care in the future, greater expense to you and greater time away from work, family and friends than would have otherwise been needed.  While the internet can be a great tool for basic information, if you are having signs or symptoms which may need medical attention, please consult your physician or physical therapist immediately to ensure that you are taking the proper steps to your recovery.

Common Tissues related to the Head and Neck treated at BreakThrough Physical Therapy (including, but not limited to):
• Tendons
• Joints
          Intervertebral Joints
          Uncovertebral Joints
          Facet Joints
• Disc
          Nucleus Pulposus
          Annulus Fibrosus
• Muscle
          Cervical Paraspinals
               Suboccipitals
               Longus Colli
               Longus Capitis
               Semispinalis Capitis
               Splenius Capitis
          Upper Trapezius
          Middle Trapezius
          Lower Trapezius
          Latissimus Dorsi
          Rhomboids
          Levator Scapula
          Subclavius
          Sternocleidomastoid
          Scalenes
• Bone
          Occipital Bone
          Frontal Bone
          Temporal Bone
          Mandible
          Maxilla
          Atlas (C1)
          Axis (C2)
          Vertebrae
  
Common Diagnoses related to the head and neck (cervical spine) treated at BreakThrough Physical Therapy (including, but not limited to):
• Neck Pain
• Whiplash
• Cervical Radiculopathy
• Tendonitis / Tendinitis
• Arthritis
          Osteoarthritis
          Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Headaches
          Migraine Headaches
          Tension Headaches
• Temperomandibular Joint Pain (TMJ)
• Acute Annular Tear
• Ruptured Disc, Herniated Disc, Bulging Disc
• Stenosis
• Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD)
• Cervical Strain
• Post-surgical head and neck physical therapy
• Post-operative head and neck physical therapy
• Bell’s Palsy