Diagnosing the cause of neck and head pain

It makes sense to group your head and neck in different categories because they are made up of different parts and serve different roles in your body. However, neck and head pain are often related to one another, so physical therapists tend to treat both with similar treatments.

Head pain and neck pain are common in life, so you don’t need to visit a doctor every time you have a headache or a stiff neck. Though, you will need to seek professional treatment for neck and head pain that is severe, long-lasting and accompanied by other symptoms, such as numbness, loss of mobility, blurred vision and slurred speech.

The physical therapists at Specialists in Sports and Orthopedic Rehabilitation (SSOR) are capable of treating many kinds of neck and head pain with physical therapy techniques. It’s important to receive an accurate diagnosis first, though, for your physical therapist to develop the right treatment for you.

How head and neck pain is diagnosed

The first step in diagnosing the cause of your pain is usually to review your symptoms. These can tell your healthcare provider a lot about what is causing your pain. He or she will also administer a few tests for further accuracy, which may include:

• X-ray — An x-ray image can reveal a fracture or bone spur in your neck, skull or jaw that may be causing neck pain or head pain. 
• Electromyography (EMG) — An EMG measures electrical signals in your nerves to determine if something like a slipped disc is causing nerve pain in your neck and head.  
• MRI — An MRI can reveal damage to the bones and tissue that may be the source of your pain. 
• CT Scan — CT scan images highlight the bones and nerves to confirm if the source of your pain is related to a spinal or nerve condition.

Contact Specialists in Sports and Orthopedic Rehabilitation (SSOR) for neck and head pain treatment

Physical therapy treatments for neck and head pain vary depending on the cause of your pain and its severity. At Specialists in Sports and Orthopedic Rehabilitation (SSOR), we always work closely with our patients to develop personalized treatments to help reduce your pain and restore any lost strength and mobility. Contact us today if you’re ready to schedule an appointment for your head or neck pain.