“If you break your neck, if you have nothing to eat, if your house is on fire, then you got a problem. Everything else is inconvenience.” ― Robert Fulghum
Occasional neck pain or soreness is a commonly occurring condition for most people. Most of us have fallen asleep in an awkward position or in a place that didn’t allow our heads to lie properly. And the result is often a stiff or sore neck.
However, there are other times when the pain lingers, continues on for prolonged periods of time, or is chronic or recurring.
And this is not a normal functioning state.
What Is a Pain in the Neck?
As one source points out,
“While there are many causes of neck pain, some of the most common causes include muscle strain, injury, nerve compression, and disease. Regardless of the cause, neck pain can interfere with daily life.”
Unfortunately, many who suffer from ongoing neck pain may never discover the actual cause of their pain nor seek competent treatment. For most, their response is to take over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications.
And, for too many, they simply try to learn to “live with it.”
In a society that sees a vast number of workers spending upwards of eight hours a day perched in front of a computer, the incidence of neck and shoulder issues has become chronic and common. In addition to the health risks of prolonged sitting, the strain on the neck and shoulder muscles and related soft tissues can be devastating.
While there are some abnormal conditions and diseases that are responsible for severe and chronic neck pain, there are many more common causes that are not related to pathological issues.
For example, according to the Mayo Clinic, these far more frequent causes include:
- Tension headaches
- TMJ disorders
- Trauma from accidents or falls
- Whiplash
- Sleeping face down
- Using with too many or too few pillows
- Emotional stress
- Muscle strains
- Poor posture
According to the Merck Manuals,
“Depending on the cause, neck or back pain may be accompanied by neurologic symptoms. If a nerve root is affected, pain may radiate distally along the distribution of that root (radicular pain). Strength, sensation, and reflexes of the area innervated by that root may be impaired.”
The NCBI Bookshelf notes that neck pain is very common and that it is estimated that about one in three people are affected once a year – women more often than men. They also point out that chronic neck pain is a significant personal and societal burden that affects 30 to 50 percent of adults in the general population.
And, while it may be some measure of comfort to know that you’re not alone, it does nothing to bring relief from the pain.
Treating Chronic and Recurring Neck Pain with Active Release Techniques®
What we do know is that many manual therapies such as myofascial release and certain types of body work can be effective in relieving many types of neck pain. These treatments are often combined with physical therapy, rest, and applying ice and heat to diminish the pain.
And, depending on the physiological cause, it may be deemed necessary to resort to certain prescription medications, injections, and possibly surgery. However, in many instances, a specialized manual therapy known as Active Release Techniques®, or ART®, has proven effective for bringing permanent neck pain.
This technique is used to treat your body’s soft tissue through a combination of manipulation and movement. As the official website puts it,
“Active Release Techniques (ART) is a non-invasive treatment system precisely engineered to locate and quickly resolve soft-tissue disorders.”
By manually identifying, isolating, and targeting the affected area of the body to break up scar tissue and other aberrations, ART® can promote increased blood flow and healing of injuries.
ART® is successfully used to treat neck pain and other problems involving muscles, ligaments, tendons, and nerves.
Because Active Release Techniques® is unique in its effectiveness, the results are uncommonly positive. In addition, there are no known side effects nor requirements for lengthy, ongoing treatment sessions. And, best of all, most pain conditions, including strains, sprains, and other musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), can often be resolved in less than half a dozen treatment sessions.
Finding Relief from Chronic or Recurring Neck Pain That Lasts
Simply “living” with chronic or recurring pain in your neck and shoulders is unacceptable. Which is why we invite you to come to Pain and Performance Solutions for treatment.
When you’re here for your first appointment, we will start by learning about your present pain issues as well as any history of discomfort. Finding neck pain relief with ART® can only begin once we understand where and how your pain started.
A full examination will help us determine which form of treatment is best suited to get you on your road to recovery. Your trust in us is key, as is your honesty. Ultimately, getting your body healthy and working properly is the only way to achieve total recovery. So, don’t hesitate to reach out. We are here to help and will answer any questions that you may have.
Our goal is to work through the sequence of pain and dysfunction in order to get your body healthy and working properly and to achieve total recovery. Don’t hesitate to reach out. We are here to help and will answer any questions that you may have.
You can reach us at (707) 636-4404 or by filling out our online contact form