Your head and neck region is very vulnerable to various stresses. Some of these stresses include bad posture, car accidents, age, and wear and tear. In this age of the computer, more people are spending an excessive amount of time in front of their computers entering data or cruising the Internet, not realizing the potential problems that probably are developing in the neck and shoulders.

Sometimes, certain types of neck stress may mimic a migraine headache. Oftentimes, a person may be experiencing neck pain accompanied with arm pain or tingling in the fingers. Because the nerves from the cervical region extend down through the arms, the symptoms experienced in the arms may be related to your neck pain. While sometimes surgery may be required to reduce the pressure on the nerves, many cases can be treated effectively through the care of a physical therapist.

A physical therapist will evaluate you and get a detailed history of the problem. Many things will be taken into account such as age, general health, occupation, lifestyle, or whether there was any trauma preceding the onset of pain. Your physical therapist will measure cervical range of motion, test strength, and perform specialized tests.

After the evaluation is complete, your physical therapist may choose from a range of treatment options including exercises for strength, flexibility, and restoration of range of motion. Pain can be managed with heat, ice, electrical stimulation, cervical traction, ultrasound, or massage. Your physical therapist may also analyze your home or work environment and make recommendations accordingly to prevent re-injury. Your physical therapist will also design a home program to fit your needs so you can return to normal function as quickly as possible.

Downeast Rehab has been voted "Best of the Best" for 6 out of 7 years by VillageSoup Readers because of the extraordinary expertise and care provided by the therapists. Call 596-0374 today!