Back and neck pain that doesn’t go away on its own or with at-home remedies can truly turn life upside-down. When it comes to recurring or lasting back and neck pain, see your healthcare provider sooner rather than later. They can help identify the underlying cause and recommend appropriate treatment options for lasting back and neck pain relief.
For some patients, a combination of pain medication, focused physical therapy, and rehabilitation can help alleviate their symptoms. This article aims to shed light on how these non-surgical approaches work to reduce your back and neck pain.
Physical Therapy: Types and Benefits
Physical therapy is one of the first treatments your doctor will recommend for you to try for pain management treatment. Physical therapy prioritizes movement and exercise to improve your condition.
It involves working with a specialized physical therapist for a period of time who will develop an individualized physical therapy plan catered to your needs. These exercises can be done at home or with the guidance of a physical therapist on-site.
Physical therapy improves joint mobility and manages pain symptoms such as stiffness or pain through various hands-on techniques. These include:
- Strength and posture training
- Stretching
- Heat or cold therapy
- Hydrotherapy
- Massage
Physical therapy offers many benefits, such as muscle relaxation, improved muscle support, and a better range of motion. Integrating this non-surgical approach into your treatment plan can help alleviate back and neck pain.
Rehabilitation: Types and Benefits
Recovery from back and neck pain can be enhanced through proper rehabilitation. Joint rehabilitation for back and neck pain relief reduces the risk of re-injury or worsening of the existing condition.
Early and proper diagnosis is key in starting the rehabilitation process. When your back and neck pain started, and which areas are affected are all considered when planning for rehabilitation.
Rehabilitation optimizes patient care by aiming to treat the whole person, not just the affected area. Its techniques and practices aim to control and manage the factors that contribute to back and neck pain.
Physical therapy is part of the rehabilitation process for back and neck pain. Other nonsurgical approaches that can be utilized during rehabilitation are:
- Occupational therapy – improves and supports the patient’s ability to undergo day-to-day physical tasks. It is often overseen by the direction of a specialized occupational therapist.
- Alternative therapy – includes non-surgical practices such as acupuncture, spinal injections, and electrical nerve stimulation to complement your pain management treatment.
- Stress management – relaxation techniques, support groups, and various mindset practices can help you overcome the mental challenges associated with back and neck pain.
Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation for Back and Neck Pain Relief
It’s important to remember that your treatment plan will depend on the cause and severity of your back or neck pain. Back and neck pain can originate from various causes and may cause other symptoms, such as weight loss and numbness in the legs.
Based on your individual needs, your healthcare provider will recommend the best treatment for your back and neck pain. A treatment plan consisting of both physical therapy and rehabilitation techniques can provide optimal pain relief for back and neck pain.
While certain patients benefit from these nonsurgical approaches, others may need surgery to achieve long-lasting pain relief. However, conservative options are often explored extensively before surgery is recommended.
Finding the right treatment plan can take some time. It can become overwhelming or frustrating to deal with chronic back and neck pain. By working closely with a trusted interdisciplinary care team, you can achieve long-term relief from back and neck pain.
Back and Neck Pain Treatment in Hartford County, CT and Springfield, MA
Non-surgical treatments such as physical therapy and rehabilitation are vital parts of a patient’s pain management plan. These approaches can alleviate pain without the risk of surgery. The first step to getting the right treatment for back and neck pain is a proper diagnosis from your healthcare provider. Finding the root cause of your back and neck pain can lead to the proper treatment and recovery.
Are you looking for a back doctor near you? At Advanced Orthopedics of New England, we provide comprehensive and compassionate care for patients in Connecticut and Massachusetts who are experiencing back and neck conditions. Our spinal surgery team, headed by Dr. David Kruger, can diagnose and provide non-surgical to surgical treatment options, depending on each case, to alleviate back and neck pain.
If you are experiencing back or neck pain, don’t hesitate to call our office today at (860) 728-6740. You can check out our five other locations for your convenience.
We look forward to getting you back on your feet!
