Your spine has a big job. It supports your entire body, connecting your
skeletal system and facilitating all of your movement. When you experience
pain in your back or neck that won’t go away, it can quickly begin
interfering with your life and the activities you enjoy.
At Altru, our spine care specialists—including physicians, physical
therapists, nurse practitioners and chiropractors— understand that
freedom of movement is vital to a person’s overall well-being. We
can work with you to identify the root cause of your back and neck pain
and provide comprehensive spine treatment options that fit your lifestyle.
Neck Therapy
Neck pain can affect your quality of life in many ways. If you can’t
sleep because of the pain, you won’t function as well when you’re
awake. If you can’t work because of the pain, it can compromise
your finances and job security. Additionally, neck pain can cause headaches
and lead to pain elsewhere in your body, including your arms, shoulders and back.
Specialists at Altru can help relieve the pain in your neck that may be
the result of a condition, including but not limited to:
Arthritis
Cervical stenosis—The spinal cord compresses due to the spinal canal
narrowing, leading to pain and numbness in the arms and legs.
Disc degeneration—Wear and tear on the discs in the neck and spine
cause the discs to lose cushioning, leading to pain and weakness.
Pain after neck or back surgery
Pain following injuries
Poor posture
Stiffness
Unspecified chronic pain
Whiplash
Back Therapy
Three out of four people experience lower back pain during their lifetime.
Although back pain is common, it shouldn’t be left untreated.
As with all types of therapies, the goal of back therapy is to use evidence-based
methods to alleviate pain and restore back motion for individuals with
acute or chronic back pain. Over a 12-month period, physical therapy for
lower back pain has been proven to be more cost-effective than injection-based
treatments or surgery, according to the American Physical Therapy Association.
Back therapy can help relieve pain that results from conditions, including:
Herniated or bulging disc
Muscle strain
Scoliosis
Spinal stenosis
Myofascial pain syndrome—a chronic condition that causes localized
pain that is associated with muscle trigger points
Osteoporosis
Evaluation, Treatment and Specialized Care Techniques for Neck and Back Pain
During your initial visit, a provider evaluates your condition and reviews
your medical history. If it is determined that you could benefit from
therapy on your neck or back, we outline treatment goals and develop a
plan to help relieve your pain.
Neck or back therapy includes several components, all of which are individualized
depending on your condition and age. In addition to other treatment modalities,
most treatment plans can include the following:
Application of heat or ice packs. Both heat and ice packs can improve mobility and alleviate pain. Ice
is better to reduce swelling, while heat can improve stiffness.
Electrical stimulation (TENS). Nerve stimulation safely uses electricity to relieve pain. TENS—transcutaneous
electrical nerve stimulation—sends low or high-frequency currents
to your nerves to help with acute or long-term back pain.
Exercises. Your provider may recommend exercises that improve your neck, back, shoulder
and core strength.
Low-impact aerobic conditioning. Aerobic exercise keeps your heart rate between 60% to 90% of its maximum
rate for a duration between 15 minutes to one hour. Aerobic exercise conditioning
can promote healing in patients with chronic neck pain and low back pain
by improving flexibility and increasing blood flow to the soft tissues
in the back and neck.
Manual therapy. During manual therapy, your physical therapist applies force using their
hands on your neck or back muscles while taking care to not push past
the point of pain. These movements may help increase mobility, reduce
pain and strengthen an injured back.
Posture exercises. Slouching can impact your posture and lead to neck or back pain. Exercises
to strengthen the muscles in your neck, back and core can help you to
develop correct posture and reduce pain.
Ultrasound. Ultrasound therapy uses sound waves as a resolution for lower back pain.
During this therapy, a provider glides a small soundhead against your
back. The soundwaves travel through the skin and into the tissues below,
causing thermal and nonthermal effects.
Stretching. Stretching can help patients manage neck or back pain. Your physical
therapist guides you on a set of exercises that both stretch and strengthen
your neck or back.
Altru’s Back & Neck Clinic
Altru’s Back & Neck Clinic staffs a multidisciplinary team of
experts who are trained to provide pain relief of neck and back injuries
or chronic conditions. Our team consists of orthopedic providers, nurse
practitioners, physical therapists and chiropractors who collaborate on
an effective treatment plan for patients.
Are you experiencing neck or back pain? Spine care specialists at Altru
can help. Call
701.780.5000 to schedule an appointment.
