Neck pain can occasionally lead to radiating pain, weakness, numbness or tingling into your arms. All of these symptoms are a sign of nerve involvement, and should be addressed immediately by your doctor prior to starting a physical therapy regimen.
To help get your life back on track, Gold Coast Physical Therapy works to first identify your main concerns, determine the functional causes of your issue, and then we prescribe routine motions and simple activities that help recirculate your blood flow, retrain your muscles, your nerves and your daily habits of motion. More important, however, we listen to you and your body’s pain as you begin to recover over time. We monitor the success of each therapy session and adjust treatment where needed to reach our goal of reaching your body’s potential for a full and happy, productive life.
Car accidents account for a majority of whiplash injuries, but this can also happen with athletic injuries or falls. It is common to experience increased symptoms the following day due to muscle spasms as your body works to protect the injured area.
Although this is not an official medical diagnosis, it is a term commonly used for a stress injury where excessive mobile device use is believed to be the primary cause. Head forward posture adds additional load and strain to our neck muscles as seen below. Over time, this can lead to pain, rounded shoulders, reduced mobility, and pain.
Constantly looking down at your smartphone can put unnecessary strain on your neck and shoulders, contributing to poor posture, muscle tension, stiffness, and even headaches. Often referred to as “text neck,” this common problem develops when prolonged forward head positioning places added stress on the muscles and joints of the cervical spine. Over time, these habits can lead to persistent discomfort and reduced mobility. Physical therapy can help improve posture, strengthen supporting muscles, and restore comfortable neck movement.
Over time, we all experience some degenerative changes throughout our body. In our neck, these changes can be labeled as cervical degenerative disc disease (Cervical DDD), cervical stenosis or arthritis. This diagnoses can be made by diagnostic test (X-ray or MRI). People with this condition might start to experience pain down into the arm if the joint spaces become too small and start impinging on nerves.
A disc herniation happened when the disc material has broken through the exterior wall of the annulus fibrosis and is sitting on the neural canal. If it is sitting on the nerve, there will be constant pain as the disc is herniated and does not have the ability to bulge back in.
A bulging disc, the disc material begins to creep backwards and put pressure in the posterior aspect of the spine. The posterior aspect of the disc is highly sensitive and pressure on this nerve is painful. Progression of this leads to radiating pain.
Yes. Certain headaches, known as cervicogenic headaches, originate from problems in the cervical spine, including the joints, muscles, and surrounding structures of the neck. These headaches may begin at the base of the skull and radiate toward the forehead or behind the eyes. Physical therapy can help identify and address musculoskeletal issues that may be contributing to these symptoms.
The length of treatment depends on the underlying cause, severity of symptoms, and individual response to therapy. Some patients experience improvements within a few sessions, while others with chronic neck pain or recurring headaches may require a longer treatment program. At Gold Coast Physical Therapy, your therapist will develop a personalized plan focused on improving mobility, reducing discomfort, and supporting long-term results.
Physical therapy may help reduce the frequency or intensity of certain headaches, particularly those associated with neck dysfunction and muscle tension. Through targeted strengthening exercises, manual therapy, posture education, and a personalized home exercise program, patients can learn strategies to manage contributing factors and potentially reduce recurring symptoms. Results vary depending on the type and cause of the headaches.
If your neck pain lasts more than a few days, keeps returning, or interferes with everyday activities such as sleeping, driving, or working, it may be time to seek professional help. Physical therapy can help identify the underlying causes of discomfort, improve mobility, and strengthen the muscles supporting your neck. Early treatment may also help prevent minor issues from developing into more persistent problems.
Yes! Many common causes of neck pain can be effectively managed with physical therapy without the need for surgery. Treatment may include manual therapy, targeted strengthening exercises, posture correction, and other therapeutic techniques designed to reduce discomfort and restore movement. At Gold Coast Physical Therapy, our therapists create individualized treatment plans to help patients improve function and return to their daily activities.
During your first visit to Gold Coast Physical Therapy, your physical therapist will discuss your symptoms, medical history, and daily activities that may be contributing to your neck pain. Your evaluation may include assessing posture, neck mobility, muscle strength, and movement patterns. Based on these findings, your therapist will develop a personalized treatment plan and explain how physical therapy can help you work toward lasting relief and improved mobility.
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