4 back, neck and shoulder pain treatments you’ll find in PT

Back pain, shoulder pain and neck pain can each be challenging to manage on their own. When you experience all three kinds of pain together, it can be especially difficult. People often feel overwhelmed when experiencing back, neck and shoulder pain, but it is important to remember that relief is possible. If you are experiencing chronic pain in these areas, physical therapy can help.

Physical therapy offers a holistic approach to pain relief that is designed to address the root cause of your pain. As a physical therapy patient, your treatment will be tailored to your condition and wellness goals. While treatment plans vary depending on a person’s needs, certain treatments are frequently used as reliable pain relief methods. Learning about the top PT treatments for back, neck and shoulder pain can help you get the care you need.

Effective PT treatments for back, neck and shoulder pain

• Manual therapy — Looking for physical therapy that involves hands-on techniques to address your pain? This kind of physical therapy is called manual therapy. Manual therapy encompasses a broad range of techniques designed to treat various conditions. Common manual therapy techniques for pain relief include the strain-counterstrain method. Manual therapy is highly versatile, meaning it can be adapted to each patient. Your physical therapist can select techniques with your specific condition in mind. Are the muscles around your spine causing back pain? Soft tissue mobilization can be an ideal treatment option. Is your shoulder joint recovering after an injury? Using manual therapy to mobilize your joint could promote healing and reduce pain. With a comprehensive array of techniques, your physical therapist can apply manual therapy to help you find relief. 
• Range-of-motion exercises — Pain is typically not the only symptom of a back, neck or shoulder condition. Whether you have an injury or an underlying health condition, you may experience other symptoms like muscle weakness and tightness. Many conditions will also affect a person’s mobility. If you are having trouble moving certain joints and muscles, it is important to find treatment. Pain is often a sign of a deeper dysfunction. Joint pain, for example, might signal a condition like bursitis that could restrict your joint movements. A physical therapist can help you improve your range of motion with targeted exercises. The right exercises can be great for boosting your flexibility and reducing your pain levels. If you have muscle tension or something similar, focused stretching exercises can help address your pain directly at the source. 
• Stabilization exercises — Muscle instability can be a major contributing factor for persistent pain. With stabilization exercises, you can work to strengthen muscles that have stability issues. Your physical therapist can help you develop a focused exercise plan. Stabilization exercises are designed to build strength so your muscles can provide adequate support. For those experiencing shoulder pain, scapular stabilization exercises can be a great help. Improving muscle stability is also important for your back and neck. As you build strength, your physical therapist can help guide you toward a healthier future. 
• Dry needling — Dry needling is a specialized kind of therapy designed for optimal pain relief. The process is simple, fast and effective. Sterile needles are inserted by a skilled physical therapist into muscles and other tissue affected by a patient’s condition. These needles serve to loosen up tight muscles and trigger healing processes. By applying dry needling, your physical therapist can help you experience pain relief and improved mobility. Dry needling can be used to address back, neck and shoulder pain among other symptoms. With dry needling, you do not need to wait for relief. People who receive dry needling treatments typically experience pain reduction within minutes of treatment. If you are looking for a fast-acting non-medication remedy to your pain, dry needling can be an excellent choice.

SSOR can help treat your back, neck and shoulder pain

Ready to solve your back, neck and shoulder pain? Get top-notch treatment at SSOR (Specialists in Sports and Orthopedic Rehabilitation). Our team is committed to delivering rapid results with total transparency. We can help you better your health and experience long-term relief from your pain.

Call us or request an appointment today to start treating your upper body pain.