A stiff neck is an annoying alignment that is relatively common and has many causes. When suffering from a stiff neck your neck will feel sore and may be difficult to move. A stiff neck can cause headaches, shoulder pain, and even arm pain. A stiff neck is caused by either muscle strain or soft tissue strain. A stiff neck can sometimes come after doing heavy lifting, but you may just wake up with it. Sometimes the symptoms of a stiff neck might occur right after an injury or seem to start out of nowhere. In some cases a stiff neck may go away with rest. However, many people use over-the-counter medications, ice and heat therapy, and physical therapy to get rid of their stiff neck.If you are suffering from a stiff neck and are looking for near me midtown physical therapy then check out First Health Physical Therapy.

If the symptoms of your stiff neck have not improved after a week, you should see a doctor. You should also seek medical attention immediately if you begin to experience fever, nausea, intense headache, and/or coordination issues. Physical therapy is a great option to treat a stiff neck since it can not only stop the pain but it can also prevent future injury. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help with your stiff neck today!

Symptoms of a Stiff Neck

• Tightness and soreness in the neck 
• Muscle spasms
• Decreased range of motion in your neck
• Headache
• Shoulder Pain
• Arm pain

Causes of a Stiff Neck

• Sleeping wrong
• Injuries that occur as a result of impact to the side of the head
• Repeatedly turning your head to the side
• Using bad posture
• Stress and anxiety
• Cranking the neck in an abnormal position for a long period
• Cervical Herniated Disc
• Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease
• Cervical Osteoarthritis

Treatments for a Stiff Neck

• Rest
  • To treat a stiff neck it is recommended that you rest for one to two days. Although, you should not rest for more than two days as inactivity can cause the muscles to weaken.
• Ice and heat therapy
  • Applying ice for the first one to two days will help reduce inflammation. Applying heat will increase blood flow in the area to help it heal.
• Over-the-counter medication
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen can help treat stiff necks.
• Stretching
  • Stretching your neck will help you restore its full range of motion.
• Physical Therapy 
  • There are many different ways that physical therapy can help treat the symptoms of a stiff neck mainly by loosening the muscles in your neck.

Physical Therapy for a Stiff Neck

Physical therapy is a great treatment for neck pain, it can help reduce pain and stiffness and return the range of motion in your neck. The best part about physical therapy for a stiff neck is that it can help prevent future injuries. Your physical therapist may use massage therapy, electrotherapy, neck stretches, neck exercises, and aerobic activity. Massage therapy can help loosen muscle tension to reduce pain and stiffness. Electrotherapy is when an electric current is applied to the injured area to reduce pain. If you are suffering from a stiff neck, physical therapy can help manage the pain.

First Health Near Me Midtown Physical Therapy

If you are struggling with a stiff neck and think that physical therapy can help, try out First Health Physical Therapy. First Health Physical Therapy offers near me Midtown physical therapy right in Manhattan. First Health also specializes in the ankle, shoulder, hip, elbow, back, and knee injuries. Contact us and make an appointment to start feeling better today.