Not sure why you're suffering from neck and back pain? Chadd Duncan, PT of HealthPro Physical Therapy in Houma, LA shares a few 
common causes of neck and back pain and explains how physical therapy can relieve your painful symptoms.
Why do I have pain?
Neck and back pain can occur for a variety of reasons, including:
- Osteoarthritis: Years of wear and tear can result in osteoarthritis, a condition that occurs when the protective layer of cartilage that covers your joints and discs begins to break down, causing the bones to rub together painfully.
- Sprains and Strains: Sprains and strains can occur if you've been in a vehicular accident, lifted a heavy object or participated in a sport. The injury isn't always apparent immediately. Because it may take a few hours or days for the pain to intensify, you may not even be aware that your symptoms were caused by lifting that bag of mulch or playing a pick-up game of football.
- Poor Posture: Slouching constantly or failing to maintain good posture when you drive or sit at a desk strains your muscles and joints, resulting in pain.
- Text Neck: Text Neck, a recently identified condition, occurs when you frequently look down at a smartphone or iPad. Bending your head downward places a great deal of stress on the bones, muscles, ligaments and joints of your neck and can cause headaches and pain and stiffness in your neck and shoulders. If you don't change the way you hold your phone, text neck can even cause permanent changes to your spine.
- Sleep Habits: Have you ever woken up with a stiff neck or back? Sleeping in unusual positions can cause pain that sometimes last for days.
- Herniated Discs: The vertebrae in your spine are cushioned by soft discs covered by a tough outer coating. A disc becomes herniated when the soft center breaks free of the outer layer.
How can physical therapy help?
During physical therapy in our Houma office, you'll participate in stretching exercises that increase your range of motion and flexibility and exercises and activities that strengthen the muscles that support your joints. Your treatment plan may also include hot or cold packs, massage, electrical stimulation treatment, ultrasound therapy or neck traction.
Ease your neck and back pain with physical therapy. Call Chadd Duncan, PT of HealthPro Physical Therapy in Houma, LA at (985) 872-5777 to schedule an appointment.