Physiotherapy for Head & Neck Injuries in Okotoks

Head and neck injuries can impact the overall quality of your life negatively. The head and neck are two essential body parts because the head is home to the brain, where all primary sensory inputs occur, and the neck, on the other hand, connects the head to the rest of the body such that all motor or sensory information and nutrients from the head to the rest of the body, or vice versa, must pass through the neck. That’s why any injury to the head and neck can result in severe complications. These negative consequences are why we offer physiotherapy for head and neck injuries in Okotoks at Dynamic Physiotherapy.

Causes of Head & Neck Injuries

Some of the most common factors leading to head and neck injuries include traumatic events, musculoskeletal issues, medical conditions, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Let’s review them further in the following few paragraphs:

• Muscle Strain: One of the most common causes of neck injury is muscle strain. Overuse of the neck muscles, awkward sleeping positions, wear and tear of the bones in the neck, poor posture, etc, can strain the neck muscles and lead to injury. 
• Concussion: This results from traumatic factors such as motor accidents, falls, sports accidents, etc. It is a direct blow that causes the head to move back and forth rapidly. Concussions are head/brain injuries that lead to headaches and dizziness and trigger a temporary loss of brain functions.
•  Whiplash: Also caused by traumatic events, such as a motor accident, whiplash is a neck injury that occurs when there is a sudden and vigorous head movement in one direction and then in the other.
• Cervical Spondylosis: This results from the chronic wear and tear of the cartilaginous discs between the neck vertebrae and is age-related; hence, it may worsen with age.

Other causes of head & neck injuries include poor ergonomics, temporomandibular joint disorder, infections, arthritis, compressed nerves, etc.

Benefits of Physiotherapy for Head & Neck Injuries

The benefits of undergoing physiotherapy for your head or neck injury in Okotoks include pain relief, enhanced mobility, an increased range of motion, strengthened muscles, and faster recovery.

Physiotherapy Treatment Methods for Head & Neck Injuries in Okotoks

Our physiotherapists in Okotoks employ several means to treat head and neck injuries as appropriate. How do they arrive at a treatment plan? First, they evaluate your injury by asking essential questions and examining you. They may also request medical imaging, e.g., X-ray, CT scan, or MRI, for more information on your condition. Sometimes, they refer you to other medical professionals, e.g., doctors, for further evaluation. At the end of the evaluation process, our professionals can proceed with a personalized treatment plan that includes:

Manual Therapy

Manual therapy is a physical treatment method to treat musculoskeletal pain and injuries. Massage is one of the most common manual therapy techniques to treat head and neck pain in Okotoks. As you probably know, massage involves manipulating the muscles and soft tissues to relieve pain and manage several conditions. 

Other manual therapy techniques to treat your head and neck pain include traction, trigger point therapy, active/passive range of motion, joint manipulation, joint mobilization, and other active release techniques.

Exercise Therapy

Physiotherapists in Okotoks develop personalized exercise programs to help people suffering from head and neck injuries regain strength and flexibility. These exercises target the specific head and neck muscles and their movements.

Popular exercises for head and neck pain include neck flexion, head tilt, neck rotation, neck extension, head turn, towel pull-ups, etc.

Health Education

Physiotherapists in Okotoks also educate people with head and neck injuries on keeping good posture and proper ergonomics to correct head and neck pain and prevent further complications. They also teach pain management strategies for pain relief and faster recovery.

Other modalities physiotherapists employ to treat and manage head and neck pain include heat or cold therapy, medical taping, dry needling, electrical stimulation, assistive devices, etc.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which Physiotherapy is Best for the Neck?

The best physiotherapy method for the neck is active physiotherapy, which requires you to move your neck through exercises and stretches to improve strength and flexibility.

What Does PT Do for Neck Pain? 

Physiotherapy uses different treatment methods and modalities to treat, relieve, and manage neck pain, including manual therapy techniques like massage, exercises, electrical stimulation, etc.

Can Physio Help with Neck Pain and Headaches?

Yes, physiotherapy can help to relieve neck pain and headaches as it combines different methods to treat and manage pain and restore the neck and head to optimal conditions.

What is the Best Exercise for Head and Neck Pain?

Some of the best exercises to treat and manage head and neck pain include scapula squeezes, doorway stretches, upper trapezius stretches, levator scapulae stretches, etc. A physiotherapist curates an exercise program based on the cause of head and neck pain. 

Conclusion

Head and neck injuries may cause severe pain and complications and affect your overall health. Fortunately, we protect you from the consequences of head and neck injuries by offering physiotherapy treatment for head and neck injuries at Dynamic Physiotherapy. Our treatment methods help to relieve pain, increase your range of motion, and improve your overall health and well-being.