Back, neck and shoulder pain are each commonly experienced by U.S. adults. However, it’s not as common to experience all three types of pain at the same time.
Certain factors can trigger all three of these types of pain simultaneously. One is the way nerves connect the upper back, shoulders and neck. Another is the muscles that link these three areas of the body. Physical therapists can help you determine the root cause of your back, neck and shoulder pain, and they can help you find effective treatment for your pain as well.
These three issues can cause back, neck and shoulder pain
There are several issues that can trigger pain or discomfort in the neck, shoulder and upper back. Three of the most common of these are:
- Pinched nerves — Since many of the nerves that run through the shoulders and upper back branch off the spinal cord in your neck, a pinched neck nerve can trigger discomfort in all three of these areas.
- Muscle strains — The trapezius muscles start in the upper back and run across the shoulders and into the neck. Overstretching these muscles is called a muscle strain. This injury can lead to aching in the neck, shoulder or upper back.
- Whiplash — This injury occurs when the head whips violently back and forth. Whiplash often happens during a car accident or while playing sports. It can lead to nerve and soft tissue injuries in your neck, shoulder and upper back that can trigger aching.
What can physical therapy do to treat back, neck and shoulder pain?
There are many ways that physical therapists can treat discomfort in the neck, shoulders and upper back. A few of the techniques your therapist may use to help you include:
- Soft tissue mobilization
- Motor vehicle accident therapy
- Dry needling
- Therapeutic exercises
- Sport-specific therapy
- Ergonomic training
Discover effective back, neck and shoulder treatment at SSOR
Are you experiencing back, neck and shoulder pain simultaneously? Our physical therapists at SSOR are ready and willing to help you treat your discomfort. We can do a free screening on you to determine the cause of your pain.
Next, our specialists can construct a customized physical therapy plan for you that’s intended to reduce pain and prevent future pain. Even better, you can treat your pain from home if you sign up for an at-home care or virtual therapy session with us.
Contact us today for more information about our treatments for back, neck and shoulder issues or to schedule an initial appointment.