Physical Therapy for Neck Pain in Allen, TX

Summary

Athletic Advantage Physical Therapy in Allen, TX provides individualized physical therapy for neck pain and stiffness. Instead of looking only at your neck, we evaluate how your neck, upper back, shoulders, posture and movement are working together, then build a treatment plan around what we find.

Key Takeaways

Neck pain can affect everything from working at a computer and sleeping to driving, exercising and turning your head comfortably.
Because neck pain can have different causes and contributing factors, treatment starts with an individualized evaluation.
AAPT looks at the neck, upper back, shoulders and posture together rather than focusing only on the painful spot.
Treatment follows The Reset Method: Reset the Nerve, Reeducate the Muscle and Reinforce with Movement.
Your plan may include manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, POINT RESET® physical therapy services, dry needling and postural or ergonomic strategies based on your needs.

Neck pain can make everyday things surprisingly difficult, working at your computer, checking your blind spot, sleeping comfortably or even looking down at your phone.

And just like back pain, where you feel the pain doesn't always tell the whole story.

At AAPT, we look at how your neck, upper back and shoulders are moving together. We also look at your posture, strength, mobility and what you're asking your body to do throughout the day.

Then we build a plan around you, not a generic list of neck stretches.

What Can Neck Pain Feel Like?

Neck pain doesn't look the same for everyone.

You may notice:

A dull ache or tightness through the neck and shoulders
Stiffness when turning your head
Pain or a "catch" with certain movements
Symptoms that build throughout a workday
Headaches that seem to start around the neck or base of the skull
Pain, tingling or numbness that travels into the shoulder, arm or hand
Difficulty finding a comfortable sleeping position

The pattern of your symptoms, and how they change with movement, gives your physical therapist useful information during your evaluation.

Signs You Need Physical Therapy for Neck Pain

Stiffness that limits how far you can turn your head, especially when checking a blind spot or looking over your shoulder.
Tension headaches that start at the base of the skull or wrap toward the temples.
Tingling or numbness that travels into your shoulder, arm, or hand.
Pain that interrupts sleep or makes it hard to find a comfortable position.
Discomfort that builds through the day at a desk, on a phone, or during a commute.
A prior whiplash injury or neck strain that never quite felt "normal" again.

If any of these sound familiar, schedule an evaluation or call (214) 383-0623.

When Should You See a Physical Therapist for Neck Pain?

It may be time for an evaluation if your neck pain keeps returning, isn't improving or is starting to change how you move through your day.

Maybe you're constantly adjusting your desk. Maybe turning your head while driving has become uncomfortable. Maybe you wake up stiff every morning or have stopped doing certain workouts because your neck doesn't feel right.

Those details matter.

Your physical therapist will look at your mobility, strength, posture, symptoms and movement to determine what may be contributing and where treatment should start.

Know When to Seek Medical Attention

Sudden or severe neck pain following significant trauma, or neck pain accompanied by symptoms such as fever, significant weakness, difficulty walking or widespread numbness or neurological changes, should be medically evaluated promptly rather than treated as routine neck pain.

What May Contribute to Neck Pain?

Neck pain can have several causes and contributing factors.

For some people, prolonged time at a desk or on a phone may be part of the picture. For others, symptoms may begin after an accident, sports injury or sudden movement.

Joint or disc changes, nerve irritation, muscle tension, changes in upper-back or shoulder mobility and previous injuries may also contribute.

That's why we don't assume every patient with neck pain needs the same treatment.

Your evaluation helps us look at the bigger picture, including your neck, upper back, shoulders, posture and how you move.

Desk Work, Phones and Tech Neck

Hours spent looking at a computer or phone can leave your neck and shoulders feeling stiff and tired.

But simply telling someone to "sit up straight" usually isn't much of a plan.

We look at your desk setup, how long you're staying in one position, your upper-back and shoulder mobility, strength and the movement habits you've developed throughout the day.

From there, we can work on practical changes you can actually use at work and at home, along with mobility and strengthening exercises selected for you.

Patient Testimonials

“After Point reset it took the pain away instantly...”

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

How AAPT Treats Neck Pain

Treatment at AAPT is guided by The Reset Method:

1. Reset the Nerve

We start by addressing areas that may be interfering with movement or normal muscle function.

Depending on your evaluation, this may include hands-on treatment, joint movement, mechanical pressure, POINT RESET® physical therapy services or other treatment strategies.

2. Reeducate the Muscle

Next, we work on strength and control through the neck, upper back and shoulders.

Your exercises are chosen based on how you're moving and what you need to get back to doing, not handed to you from a generic neck-pain exercise sheet.

3. Reinforce with Movement

Feeling better in the clinic is only part of the goal.

We want those changes to carry over when you're working at your computer, driving, sleeping, exercising or participating in your sport.

Your home program may include mobility, strengthening, posture and ergonomic strategies to reinforce what you're working on in the clinic.

Your Neck Pain Treatment May Include

Depending on your evaluation, your plan may include:

Manual therapy to address joint and soft-tissue mobility
Therapeutic exercise to improve strength, mobility and movement control
POINT RESET® physical therapy services, developed by Dr. Cody Johnson, PT, DPT, ATC, which may be incorporated based on your evaluation and needs
Dry Needling when appropriate as part of your treatment plan
Mobility and strengthening for the neck, upper back and shoulders
Posture and ergonomic strategies for work, driving and everyday activities
A customized home program to reinforce progress between visits

What we use, and when we use it, depends on you, your evaluation and how your body responds.

When Neck Pain and Headaches Overlap

Neck pain and headaches can sometimes occur together, particularly when there is stiffness or tension around the neck and upper back.

If headaches seem to start around the neck or base of the skull, your physical therapist can evaluate whether neck mobility, muscle tension, posture or other movement factors may be part of the picture.

Because headaches can have many causes, new, severe or unusual headaches should always be medically evaluated appropriately.

Neck Pain in Athletes and Dancers

Athletes and dancers may place very different demands on the neck, shoulders and upper back than someone who spends most of the day at a desk.

AAPT adjusts treatment around those demands rather than asking every patient to follow the same plan.

Our Sports Physical Therapy and dance-focused care look at the movements and positions your activity requires so your rehabilitation supports what you're actually trying to return to.

Contact Us

Phone: (214) 383 0623
Fax: (800) 213 4413

820 S Alma Drive, Suite 110
Allen, TX 75013

contact@aaphysicaltherapy.com

Hours:

Monday, Wednesday, Friday:

8:00AM - 5:30PM

Tuesday, Thursday:

9:00AM - 5:30PM

Schedule Appointment

Why Choose Athletic Advantage Physical Therapy

We look beyond your neck: Your neck, upper back and shoulders don't move independently. We look at how they're working together.
Your plan is actually yours: We don't hand every patient the same sheet of neck stretches. Your treatment is based on your evaluation, your movement and your goals.
Treatment is guided by The Reset Method: Reset the Nerve. Reeducate the Muscle. Reinforce with Movement.
Home of POINT RESET® physical therapy services: AAPT founder Dr. Cody Johnson, PT, DPT, ATC developed POINT RESET® physical therapy services, which may be incorporated into treatment based on your individual evaluation and needs.
We're one clinic and one team: AAPT is an independent physical therapy clinic in Allen. We get to know our patients, what they want to get back to doing and what progress looks like for them.

Ready to Move Your Neck More Comfortably?

If neck pain or stiffness is changing how you work, sleep, drive, exercise or move through your day, let's take a closer look at what's going on.

Athletic Advantage Physical Therapy is located in Allen, TX and serves patients throughout Plano, McKinney, Frisco and surrounding Collin County communities.

Call (214) 383-0623 or schedule your evaluation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can physical therapy help with neck pain?

Physical therapy can address mobility, strength, posture and movement patterns that may be contributing to neck pain. Your treatment is based on your individual evaluation, symptoms and goals.

Can sitting at a computer or using my phone contribute to neck pain?

Long periods in one position can contribute to neck and shoulder discomfort for some people. We look at your mobility, strength, workstation setup and movement habits rather than simply telling you to improve your posture.

Can neck pain cause headaches?

Neck pain and certain types of headaches can occur together. If your headaches seem connected to neck stiffness or movement, your physical therapist can evaluate whether the neck and surrounding areas may be contributing.

What if my neck pain travels into my arm or hand?

Pain, tingling or numbness that travels into the shoulder, arm or hand may involve nerve irritation. Your physical therapist can evaluate those symptoms and determine whether physical therapy is appropriate or whether additional medical evaluation is needed.

Do I need a doctor's referral?

Texas allows qualifying physical therapists to evaluate and treat patients without first obtaining a physician referral, subject to state requirements. Insurance requirements may vary, so contact our team if you're unsure what you need before your first visit.