Neck and shoulder pain is a common problem that may affect people of all ages. Both conditions may occur together or separately. Either way, chronic pain will significantly affect your overall quality of life. You may develop mild to severe neck and shoulder pain due to trauma, poor posture, stress, underlying medical conditions, etc.
However, the good news is that you can get professionals to treat this condition through physical therapy in Fort Worth, TX, regardless of the cause. This article will explore the treatment options available for neck and shoulder pain in Fort Worth, TX.
Causes of Neck and Shoulder Pain
You may feel mild to severe pain in your neck for several reasons. Some include:
- Muscle strain is one of the most common causes of neck pain. It may occur due to poor posture, awkward sleeping positions, sudden movements, placing heavy loads on the head, etc.
- Trauma and injuries: Traumatic events such as falls, sports injuries, or direct blows to the neck can cause fracture, dislocation, and soft tissue injuries that may result in severe neck pain.
- Whiplash injury: This common injury may occur due to a forceful forward or backward throw of the head.
- Degenerative conditions: The discs in your neck can start to wear down as you grow older. Also, you may develop other degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis. These conditions can all cause neck pain.
Other causes of neck pain include tumors, inflammatory conditions, repetitive motion, stress, systemic diseases, etc.
Some of the causes of shoulder pain include:
- Rotator cuff injury: The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder joint. These muscles and tendons can suffer damage from traumatic falls, degeneration, repetitive overhead motions, etc. Injury to the rotator cuff can lead to shoulder pain.
- Arthritis: Arthritis can affect any joint in the body, including the shoulder joint. This can lead to pain, stiffness, and limited range of motion in the shoulders.
- Bursitis: Bursae are small fluid-filled sacs that cushion between bones, tendons, and muscles. Repetitive overhead motion and direct trauma to the shoulder can lead to inflammation of the bursae (bursitis). This results in pain, swelling, and limited mobility in the shoulder.
Other causes of shoulder pain include frozen shoulder, fracture, tendonitis, degenerative conditions, etc.
Treatment Options for Neck and Shoulder Pain
The treatment of neck and shoulder pain depends on the underlying cause. Some of the most common treatment options for neck and shoulder pain in Fort Worth, TX, include:
Medication
Medications provide relief from inflammation to reduce pain intensity and improve overall comfort. Various medications commonly used to treat and manage neck and shoulder pain include:
- Over-the-counter pain relievers: These are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) effective for relieving mild to moderate pain. This medication works by reducing inflammation, alleviating pain and swelling. Examples of this medication include Ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen sodium, etc.
- Muscle relaxants: These relieve acute muscle spasms and their associated pain. Examples of muscle relaxants include cyclobenzaprine, methocarbamol, etc.
Other medications that relieve neck and shoulder pain include topical analgesics, corticosteroid injections, etc. All medications should be used only on the prescription of a healthcare professional.
Non-Invasive Treatment Options
One of the most common and effective non-invasive treatment options is physical therapy.
Neck pain therapy in Fort Worth, TX, and Shoulder pain therapy in Fort Worth, TX, can help to strengthen the muscles in your neck and shoulders and increase their range of motion. At Barkman & Smith Physical Therapy, a licensed physical therapist will assess your condition to determine the underlying cause of pain.
Next, they’ll draw up a personalized treatment plan. The components for neck pain therapy in Fort Worth, TX, and shoulder pain therapy in Fort Worth, TX, may include targeted exercises, stretches, manual therapy, etc.
Other non-invasive treatment options in Fort Worth include massage therapy, chiropractic care, acupuncture, heat or cold therapy, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), etc.
Surgical Intervention
Suppose medications and other non-invasive treatment options fail. Surgery may then be considered for treating and managing neck and shoulder pain. Common surgical procedures for neck and shoulder pain include cervical fusion, discectomy, rotator cuff repair, laminectomy, etc.
Conclusion
Neck and shoulder pain can negatively impact your overall quality of life. This condition happens due to several factors ranging from trauma to soft tissue degeneration. If you are experiencing neck and shoulder pain, you should see a physical therapist in Barkman & Smith Physical Therapy.
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