How We Can Help Alleviate Persistent Neck Pain

Have you ever had one of those days at work or school when your neck just won’t stop bothering you? Or maybe turning your head to check for cars is difficult or painful. Neck pain can really impact your day and make life less enjoyable. Good news! At Hands of Hope Physical Therapy, we’ve got a multidisciplinary team that knows just how to help you feel better and give you tips to keep the pain away.

Most of the time, neck pain develops when there’s something wrong with a muscle or joint. Figuring out the real source can be difficult, but with the help of our experienced team, you can get to the root of your problems and, more importantly, get the solutions you’re looking for. 

Our clinic offers a range of innovative approaches, from physical therapy to advanced pain management techniques. Our ultimate goal? To help you return to a life you can enjoy to the fullest.

Take action today! Request an appointment and set the wheels in motion for the lasting relief you deserve.

New Location Alert: Atlantic Avenue

We’re excited to announce the opening of our newest Hands of Hope Physical Therapy clinic on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn, NY!

Conveniently located in the heart of the community, our Atlantic Avenue clinic offers the same expert, hands-on care you’ve come to trust—with personalized treatment plans, one-on-one attention, and a commitment to helping you move and feel better.

Now accepting new patients!

Exercise of the Month

Shoulder Shrugs

Stand or sit with arms relaxed at your sides. Lift your shoulders up toward your ears, squeeze briefly, then relax them back down. Repeat to strengthen and relax the upper trapezius muscles.

Source of Neck Pain: Causes and Symptoms

Neck pain is a multifaceted condition, and its origins can vary widely from person to person. Whether your discomfort starts from an unfortunate car accident or something that seems insignificant, like maintaining an improper posture while working at your desk, our team can help. 

What may appear to be a minor issue, such as a recurring crick in your neck, could potentially develop into a chronic issue that disrupts your daily life.

For some individuals, the issue lies deeper within the spine’s structure (for example, changes to the discs and the cushions between vertebrae). Disc degeneration can lead to pain and difficulty moving the neck, whereas problems such as bulging or herniated discs can be particularly painful and can even lead to nerve compression. This often results in additional symptoms such as sharp, radiating pain or numbness extending into the shoulders or arms. 

Luckily, our multidisciplinary approach ensures you receive the best care for your needs. We’ll identify the factors contributing to your pain and develop an effective treatment program to address them.

Your Pathway to Neck Pain Relief

We’ll start with a comprehensive evaluation, including gathering as much information as possible about your health, previous history of neck pain, and information about your most recent episode. 

Next, we’ll conduct a physical examination, including a hands-on assessment of your neck and upper back muscles. We’ll assess your posture and movement patterns to identify any restrictions or limitations contributing to your pain. 

Finally, we’ll suggest the best treatments for your needs. Here are just some of the things we offer:

Physical Therapy

  • We generally recommend physical therapy in cases where neck pain stems from poor posture, muscle strain, or muscle weakness. Depending on your needs, treatment might include manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, or postural corrections.

Therapeutic Yoga

  • Yoga has several benefits that can help with neck pain, including reducing neck muscle tension. It can also help you manage stress, which can sometimes worsen existing neck pain.

Trigger Point Injections

  • We might recommend this technique if your symptoms don’t respond to more conservative treatment. Trigger points are small knots in the tissue that wrap and support your muscles and can lead to pain and movement restrictions. Injecting them with a local anesthetic and corticosteroid can help alleviate pain, making it easier for you to perform prescribed exercises.

Nerve Root Block

  • This advanced pain management technique blocks the pain messages sent from an affected nerve root to your brain. It’s particularly effective for neck pain stemming from a herniated disc, which can irritate nearby nerve roots and cause radiating symptoms down your arm.

Sources: https://www.jospt.org/doi/10.2519/jospt.2017.0302, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6723111/

Pineapple Green Smoothie

  • 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
  • 1/3 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 cup baby spinach
  • 1 cup frozen banana slices
  • 1/2 cup frozen pineapple chunks
  • 1 tablespoon chia seeds
  • 1-2 teaspoons pure maple syrup or honey (optional)

Add almond milk and yogurt to a blender, then add spinach, banana, pineapple, chia seeds, and sweetener (if using); blend until smooth.