Neck Pain
Neck pain is pain or stiffness in the neck that can spread into the shoulders, upper back or down the arm. It often comes from desk posture, phone use, whiplash or wear in the neck, and physical therapy aims at the cause rather than only the sore spot. We treat neck pain in Chubbuck and Pocatello, Idaho.
What is behind a stiff neck
The same sore spot can have very different causes, and treatment follows the cause.
Desk work, tech neck and text neck
Hours at a screen or looking down at your phone strain the neck muscles. Tech neck and text neck describe a head that drifts forward and a neck that works harder to hold it up.
Whiplash
A car accident or a sudden impact can strain the soft tissues of the neck and bring stiffness and headaches. If a crash is involved, see auto accident care.
Wear in the neck
Arthritis and disc changes can stiffen the neck and sometimes press on nerves.
Habits and lifestyle
Smoking, extra body weight, repetitive lifting, falls and sports injuries all show up on the list of common causes.
The occasional crick in neck
Waking with a crick in your neck is usually a muscle that was held in one position all night. If it keeps coming back, something is making your neck work too hard, and that is worth an exam.
Hands-on first, then the exercise that keeps it better
After a movement exam of your neck, shoulders and upper back, we usually start with manual therapy and gentle joint mobilization to ease stiffness. Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization and dry needling can help with tight muscle knots in the neck and shoulders.
Then we build up the muscles that support your neck, because weak support is a common reason a stiff neck comes back. You get a list of exercises to do at home, plus advice on which motions to avoid while it settles.
Neck pain that travels
Arm pain, numbness or tingling
A pinched nerve in neck problems, called cervical radiculopathy, can cause neck pain radiating down arm and into the hand. Tingling in the hand can also come from the wrist, so see Carpal Tunnel.
Neck and shoulder pain
The neck and shoulder share muscles and nerves, so neck and shoulder pain is often one problem. We check both, and Shoulder Pain covers the joint itself.
Headaches and jaw pain
Neck problems can set off headaches at the base of the skull, covered in Headaches & Migraines, and add to jaw pain, covered in TMJ / Jaw Pain.
Set up your workstation so your neck gets a rest
Small changes help: put the top of your screen near eye level, keep the keyboard close enough that your shoulders can relax, raise your phone toward your face instead of dropping your head to it, and stand up and move often. We go through your own desk, truck or workday and give you a few exercises you can do on the job.
If you had a head injury along with your neck pain, our Concussion care checks the neck as part of testing.
See a doctor or go to the ER first if you have
- Neck pain after a fall or a crash
- Dizziness or vision changes when you move your neck
- Arm weakness that is getting worse
Idaho allows direct access to physical therapy, so you do not need a referral from a doctor to begin. Some insurance plans, and Medicare typically, may still require one. If you are unsure, call us and we will check your plan. We accept most insurance plans and verify your benefits before you arrive. Auto injury liens, Medpay and workers compensation are accepted, and there is a self-pay option. Call the office to confirm your plan.
Neck pain care in Chubbuck and Pocatello
Call or request an appointment at our Chubbuck clinic. Whether you drive in from Chubbuck or Pocatello, we will start with what your neck is doing.
We see patients at our Chubbuck clinic from Chubbuck and Pocatello, Idaho.