Neck Pain Causes: Understanding the Common Triggers

Jacob (not his real name) was a 45-year-old software designer with a start-up tech company who was dealing with a pain in his neck (literally). His discomfort started as a minor ache but gradually worsened, making it difficult for him to focus at work and enjoy time with his family. He sought help from the team at TOP Physical Therapy, who used their understanding of neck pain causes to help him find relief.

Today, we want to share Jacob’s story with you–and explore some of the common reasons people develop neck pain. Keep reading to learn more!

Helping Jacob Find Lasting Neck Pain Relief

During Jacob’s first appointment, one of our Sterling Heights physical therapists asked about his daily routine, work habits, and recent injuries. She also performed a few simple movement screens, including testing his neck’s range of motion and the strength and function of his upper back.

It became clear to her that Jacob’s neck pain was primarily due to poor posture and long hours spent at his desk without proper ergonomic support. However, his stressful job likely contributed to his symptoms as well. When Jacob was stressed, he tensed his back and shoulder muscles, worsening his pain.

With this information, Jacob’s therapist created a personalized treatment program. It included specific exercises to strengthen the muscles supporting his neck and upper back, stretching to improve his neck’s mobility, and ergonomic advice about taking regular breaks from his desk.

With these changes, Jacob noticed a significant reduction in his neck pain. Best of all, because he incorporated his therapist’s lifestyle suggestions, the pain didn’t return, either. Jacob no longer suffered during his workday and enjoyed spending time with his family in the evenings.

This entire process began with our physical therapist’s understanding of neck pain causes. By focusing on the reason for Jacob’s discomfort, she was able to help him find lasting relief.

Exploring the Common Causes of Neck Pain

As we saw in Jacob’s story, understanding neck pain causes is essential in finding the proper treatment! Here are some of the common reasons people develop neck pain (and how TOP Physical Therapy can help address them).

Poor Posture

• As Jacob discovered, spending long hours hunched over a computer or looking down at a smartphone can strain your neck muscles and lead to pain and stiffness. As we did for Jacob, we’ll show you exercises to strengthen your neck and upper back muscles and provide guidance on maintaining good posture.

Muscle Strain

• You can also strain the muscles and tendons in your neck when lifting something heavy or performing repeated neck movements (such as turning your head while swimming). We’ll design a personalized exercise plan to gradually strengthen the affected muscles, reducing pain and preventing future strains.

Whiplash-Associated Disorders

• Whiplash refers to the rapid back-and-forth motion of the neck that often occurs during car collisions. Whiplash can lead to muscle and ligament damage, pain, and restricted mobility. We’ll use a combination of gentle stretching, strengthening exercises, and manual therapy to help restore normal function and reduce pain.

Osteoarthritis

• Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage in a joint wears down and becomes painful and inflamed. It can develop in any joint in the body, including the neck joint, and when it does, it causes pain and joint stiffness. We can help manage your symptoms through targeted exercises that improve joint mobility and strengthen the surrounding muscles.

Degenerative Disc Disease

• Your spinal discs will dry out as you age. This is a normal process, but it can cause pain in your spine and neck. We’ll show you exercises that support the cervical spine and reduce the stress on these discs, helping to manage pain and improve function.

No Matter the Cause, We’re Here to Help

When you visit TOP Physical Therapy for neck pain, our PTs will work closely with you to determine the exact reason for your neck pain–and then we’ll develop a treatment program personalized to your needs.

Ready to get started? Schedule an appointment for an initial assessment today!