Neck Pain Treatment in Sulphur Springs, TX

Neck pain can make it hard to drive, sleep, work at a computer, or turn your head. It is very common, and most cases improve with the right mix of movement, hands-on care, and exercise.

Common causes

Neck pain often comes from irritated joints and tight or tired muscles in the neck and upper back. Long hours looking down at a phone or screen, stress, a bad night's sleep, or a sudden strain can all play a part. Neck problems can also send pain into the shoulder, upper back, or head. Learn more in Can Your Neck Cause Shoulder Pain? and Can a Sore Spot in Muscle Cause Pain Somewhere Else?.

Some people get pain, numbness, or tingling down the arm. This can happen when a nerve in the neck is irritated, and it is worth getting checked.

What helps

Clinical guidelines for neck pain point to a few things that help most people:

  • Keep moving within comfort. Gentle neck and shoulder movement through the day is better than holding still.

  • Exercise for the neck, upper back, and shoulders helps build strength and endurance.

  • Hands-on care, such as manipulation and mobilization, can reduce pain in the short term, and works best combined with exercise.

You can read more in our post Neck Pain: What Causes It and How We Can Help.

How we can help

Your first visit includes an exam and a movement screen so we can find what is driving your pain. Then we build a plan that fits your goals. Care may include:

We will explain what we find in plain words and give you a few simple things to do at home.

Common questions

Is it safe to adjust the neck? Serious problems are rare. We screen every patient first, explain our plan, and have gentler options if you prefer not to have a neck adjustment.

Should I use heat or ice? Use whichever feels better. Heat often helps tight muscles relax.

What pillow should I use? One that keeps your neck level with your body when you lie on your back or side. There is no single best pillow.

When to get checked right away

Get urgent medical care if neck pain comes with a severe or "worst ever" headache, trouble speaking, swallowing, or seeing, dizziness or fainting, weakness or clumsiness in the arms or legs, fever with a stiff neck, or pain after a car accident or hard fall.

Book a visit

If neck pain is wearing you down, we would be glad to help you get moving comfortably again.

Book Online or call 903-629-5126.

Pacheco Spine and Sport, 1067 Gilmer Street, Suite C, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482

This page is for general education and is not a substitute for a personal medical exam.

Sources

  1. Blanpied PR, Gross AR, Elliott JM, et al. Neck pain: revision 2017. Clinical practice guidelines linked to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health from the Orthopaedic Section of the American Physical Therapy Association. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2017;47(7):A1-A83. https://doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2017.0302

  2. Gross A, Kay TM, Paquin JP, et al. Exercises for mechanical neck disorders. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;1:CD004250. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD004250.pub5

  3. Bier JD, Scholten-Peeters WGM, Staal JB, et al. Clinical practice guideline for physical therapy assessment and treatment in patients with nonspecific neck pain. Phys Ther. 2018;98(3):162-171. https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/pzx118