Chronic Neck Pain

Pain that has been present for longer period of time, possibly even years. Sometimes just neck pain, or sometimes shoulder, arm, hand, upper back and shoulder blade pain are involved.

Causes

• Degenerative disc disease – changes in biomechanics in the spine causes disc pain, disc bulges/herniations, facet joint loading and stenosis
• Stabilization muscle deconditioning
• Changes in posture causing forward head, tight anterior muscles, and overextended and weak posterior muscles and soft tissue structures

Treatment

• Decompression – unloads facet joints, decompresses discs, reduces disc bulges and hernitations, stretches tight muscles and ligaments
• Stabilization exercise with directional bias – exercises specifically for chronic neck pain which can halt the degenerative process, alleviate pain and increase function
• Modalities for inflammation control
• Mobilization to increase segmental ROM and facet joint mobility

Be Wary Of

• Rehab that involves only modalities and massage
• Rehab that does not teach you how to manage your condition at home when you are not in the clinic