Options for neck pain treatment at home? Try virtual physical therapy

Physical therapy is a common and effective treatment for neck pain. Treatments for neck pain help alleviate pain and stiffness while improving range of motion and can be prescribed via a virtual physical therapist. Treatments and methods vary for each individual, but scheduling an appointment to get a proper diagnosis is a great first step to relieving neck pain. 

How Does the Pain Feel?

People with neck pain experience and describe the feeling in different ways. But usually pain is described as:

• Dull
• Sharp
• Stabbing
• Throbbing
• Aching 
• Or Tingling

The pain may extend into shoulder blades, arms, the upper back, or even hands, if certain nerves are irritated. This is called “radiculopathy.’ Your virtual PT can help determine if you’re experiencing radiculopathy and suggest corrective treatments, which may include contacting your primary care physician.

Goals of Virtual Physical Therapy for Neck Pain

If you suffer from neck pain, the goals of your virtual physical therapist will typically include the following:

• Reduce stiffness and pain
• Improve head and neck range of motion
• Create individual strategies to prevent pain from reoccurring
• Create programs to increase strengthening of the neck and its supporting musculature

Agile’s licensed physical therapists will develop a customized course of care plan to meet your goals. They’ll ask questions about the duration of pain, what may have caused your neck pain to start, and more to ensure your treatment plan is as effective as possible. 

Virtual PT Treatments for Neck Pain

After one of Agile’s highly knowledgeable PTs provides a diagnoses, they’ll put together strategies to help reduce and prevent future episodes of neck pain. Some treatments offered by our virtual PTs include, but are not limited to:

• Strengthening exercises: Studies indicate exercises can be a successful treatment option for neck pain. Your PT may suggest specific exercises to improve range of motion and reduce pain. Strengthening exercises may be the favored treatment option if weakness was identified during your initial call.
• Postural correction: If poor posture is thought to be a significant factor to your neck pain, your virtual physical therapist may want to see your workstation to offer suggestions. They may suggest lumbar support, adjusting your keyboard and monitor, or raising or lowering your chair. 
• Heat and Ice: Heat and ice treatments may help relax the muscles in your neck and aid to decrease inflammation. While heat and ice feels good, they should be an additional treatment combined with prescribed exercises and postural correction in the treatment of your neck pain. 

If you stick to the prescribed exercises from your physical therapist, your pain should decrease in four to six weeks. Stick to the program, regularly see your virtual PT, and you should be able to greatly reduce your neck pain while improving range of motion to get back to normal activity and function.