Neck & Back Pain Management

Neck and back pain can cause you to miss work and fall behind on your daily responsibilities, like housework. Gigi Malvas, RPT, CLT, and the team at Step Up Physical Therapy and Rehab in North Port, Florida, offer an array of rehabilitative services that encourage healing for neck and back injuries. These treatments can improve your strength and mobility. Call Step Up Physical Therapy and Rehab, or request an appointment online today.

What are neck and back pain?

Neck and back pain both originate in or around your spine. The portion of your spine in your neck is called the cervical spine, and your middle and lower back contain your thoracic and lumbar spines, respectively. Pain is most common in the cervical and lumbar parts of the spine.

Injuries and conditions affecting your neck and back can happen suddenly or develop gradually.

To identify the cause of your neck or back pain, the team at Step Up Physical Therapy and Rehab interviews you about your lifestyle, medical history, and symptoms. Patients are taken through a thorough physical examination which involves assessing pain reaction to different postures and movements. Based on the results of the assessment, an individualized treatment plan is prescribed. 

What causes neck and back pain?

Neck and back pain can be caused by the following:

• Poor posture

• Overuse, repetitive bending, lifting or twisting

• Trauma

• Degeneration of vertebrae

• Infection

• Abnormal growth like tumor or bone spur

• Obesity

• Osteoporosis

• Arthritis

• Protruding or herniated disc

• Sprains/ strains

• Spinal stenosis- narrowing  of the spinal canal

• Fracture

Sometimes a nerve or several nerves originating from the spine may be irritated, pinched, or compressed as a result of a herniated disc or slipped disc, and this can result in referred pain, numbness, and tingling on arms or legs. This is known as radiculopathy. The most common form of radiculopathy occurs in the low back, and this is also known as sciatica. This is a condition where the pain originates from the low back and radiates down your buttock, hip, and leg on one side of the body. 

How are neck and back pain treated?

Step Up Physical Therapy uses a holistic approach to treating neck and back pain. After a comprehensive evaluation and review of your medical history, we set an individualized care plan to help relieve your symptoms. Our goal is to identify the root cause of the pain and not just treat the symptoms. We ensure that our patients are actively involved in their treatment and are well educated on their disease process so they can manage their symptoms and prevent a recurrence. 

Our treatment approaches include any of the following: 

• Myofascial release
• The McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy
• The MyoKinesthetic Treatment technique
• Pilates exercises
• Neuro-mechanical acupuncture
• Total motion release
• Kinesiotaping
• Education on proper posture and proper body mechanics
• Ultrasound therapy
• Electrotherapy

The team will explain each of these to you, helping you determine which is best treatment for your situation.

Call Step Up Physical Therapy and Rehab, or book an appointment online today if you experience prolonged or severe neck or back pain. If you have difficulty leaving your home to seek physical therapy treatment, we are able to provide services at your home through our partnership with local home health agencies. Feel free to inquire with our staff about this option.