Where neck pain comes from
Your neck holds up your head all day. That is roughly the weight of a bowling ball, balanced on a stack of small bones. When your head drifts forward over a laptop or phone for hours, the muscles in the back of your neck and upper back work overtime. Sooner or later, they complain.
Not all neck pain comes from posture. A car accident can strain the neck in a split second. Sleeping in an odd position can leave you locked up for days. As we age, the joints and discs in the neck change, and that can bring stiffness. Sometimes an irritated nerve sends pain, tingling or numbness down into the arm.
- Long hours at a desk, laptop or phone
- Whiplash and strain after a car accident
- Sleeping wrong or a pillow that does not fit you
- Stiff joints and disc changes that come with age
- Stress that shows up as tight shoulders and a tight upper back
- Nerve irritation that sends symptoms down the arm
How Thrive may help your neck
Heat packs and pills may take the edge off. But if your neck keeps locking up, something is keeping it that way. Physical therapy looks for that something.
Your therapist checks how your neck, upper back and shoulders move together. Often the upper back is stiff and the muscles that hold your shoulder blades are tired, so the neck picks up the slack. Your plan may include gentle movement to get turning and tilting back, strength work for the deep neck muscles and upper back, and simple changes to your desk, car and pillow setup.
Hands on care fits in well here. Massage therapy may ease the tight bands across your shoulders. Cupping and muscle scraping are popular for the upper back. For some people with neck pain or symptoms into the arm, spinal decompression offers a gentle option for the neck. Your provider will tell you if any of these are right for you.
- Gentle movement to help you turn and tilt again
- Strength work for the deep neck and upper back muscles
- Desk, car and sleep setup tips that fit your day
- Hands on care for tight shoulders and upper back
- Neck decompression when your provider thinks it fits
Neck pain after a car accident
Neck pain after a crash is common, and it does not always show up right away. See a doctor first so they can rule out anything serious. Then physical therapy may help with the stiffness and soreness that often follow.
In Michigan, your own auto insurance usually covers accident related physical therapy, no matter who was at fault. Our auto accident physical therapy page explains how it works, and we verify your coverage for you before you start.
What happens at your first visit
You start with a physical therapy evaluation. Your therapist asks when the pain started, whether it travels into your arm, and what your days look like. How many hours at the computer? How do you sleep? Do headaches come along with it?
Then they gently check how far your neck turns and tilts, how your upper back and shoulders move, and the strength and feeling in your arms. You leave knowing what they found, what the plan is, and a couple of easy moves to start tonight.
When to see a doctor first
Most neck pain is a muscle and joint problem. But your neck sits close to some very important wiring. Please get medical care right away if any of these apply to you.
- Neck pain after a car crash, a fall or a blow to the head
- A sudden, severe headache unlike any you have had before
- Dizziness, double vision, trouble speaking or swallowing, or a drooping face (call 911)
- Weakness or numbness in the arms that is spreading or getting worse
- Clumsy hands, trouble with buttons, or new problems with balance or walking
- A fever with a stiff neck, or weight loss you cannot explain
Insurance, investment and booking
We accept all major insurance plans and auto injury claims, and we verify your benefits for you before your first visit. Physical therapy through insurance usually needs a doctor's prescription or referral, which your doctor can fax to (313) 921-6009. See our insurance page for the details.
Self pay? A physical therapy evaluation and treatment visit is a $70 investment, and spinal decompression is a $50 investment per session. Massage, cupping and scraping are self pay unless a provider and your insurer confirm otherwise.
Ready to check your blind spot without turning your whole body? Tap the Book button, or call or text (313) 429-9079.
