Neck pain can result from a variety of causes, ranging from overuse injuries and whiplash to diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and meningitis. For example:
Injuries: Rear-end collisions often result in whiplash injuries which occur when the head is jerked forward and then backward, stretching the soft tissues of the neck beyond their limits.
Muscle strains: Overuse often triggers muscle strains. Neck muscles, particularly those in the back of your neck, become fatigued and eventually strained. When you overuse your neck muscles repeatedly, chronic pain can develop. Even such minor things as reading in bed or gritting your teeth can strain neck muscles.
Worn joints: Just like all the other joints in your body, your neck joints tend to experience wear and tear with age, which can cause osteoarthritis in your neck.
Diseases: Neck pain can sometimes be caused by diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, meningitis, and cancer.
Nerve compression: A variety of problems in your neck’s vertebrae can reduce the amount of space available for nerves to branch out from the spinal cord, including:
Stiffened disks: As you age, the cushioning disks between your vertebrae become dry and stiff, narrowing the spaces in your spinal column where the nerves exit.
Herniated disks: This occurs when the inner gel-like material of a disk protrudes through the disk’s tougher outer covering. The protrusion can press on the spinal cord itself or on nerves exiting the spinal column, causing arm pain or weakness…
Bone spurs: Arthritic joints in your neck can develop bony growths that may press on nerves.
Studies show that treatment by a physical therapist can provide both short- and long-term relief for people with neck pain. We can design a program tailored to your specific needs to relieve your neck pain and improve mobility without expensive surgery or side effects of pain medication.
Information courtesy of the Mayo Clinic and American Physical Therapy Association.
If we are asking you to do something that is hurting too much, let us know! Physical therapy should not be severely painful. It is not common to be so sore that patients are in pain or it affects their daily life. If this ever happens during or after an appointment, let us know and we will adapt your program.
We recommend budgeting 40-60 minutes for a typical therapy session. The only exception to this will be your first visit, which can take about 20 minutes longer due to the physical therapy evaluation your therapist will provide. We also recommend showing up about 10-15 minutes early to your first visit. This way, you can complete the paperwork before your visit time and streamline the process.
A physical therapy visit lasts about 40-60 minutes. The actual contents of the visit vary based on your diagnosis/need, but typically what happens is:
You check in with the receptionist, make any appointments necessary, and we discuss your health insurance benefits with you.
You go into the gym. You can change clothes if you need to, then begin therapy.
You perform 6-8 various exercises and stretches. These can include therapeutic band exercises, light body weight exercises, or minimal weights. The stretches will promote strength, stability, improved range of motion, and pain relief.
We can initiate other techniques to include manual work, taping, cupping, and dry needling as needed.
The therapist makes recommendations based on your progress. These can include altering the frequency of visits, making additions/alterations to your home exercise plan, or things to do before your next visit.
You should wear loose clothes that make it easy to move. We also recommend sneakers. Workout clothes will work, but any comfortable clothing will work fine. Plan on giving your therapist access to your area of concern. The less your clothes restrict your movement and the more comfortable you are, the better. Shorts, yoga pants, or athletic/loose fitting pants and a tee shirt are all good options.
Dear Mike,
I wanted to let you know how much I have benefitted from my physical therapy at Colorado in Motion under the direction of Andrew Drewhoff. At my first appointment in December, I limped badly, was unable to climb stairs except by one-at-a-time and I was unable to sleep because of pain induced when I changed my position. I informed Andrew that I had been successfully treated before at this facility for bursitis, which had caused serious limping and discomfort. But after about 20 minutes of initial evaluation, Andrew informed me that the cause of my pain was unrelated to my legs and was coming from my back. I did have lumbar fusion in 2016 and have experienced on-again, off-again back pain on both sides of my spine in my lower back since then. Andrew prescribed three exercises to be done twice each day and I would see him in a week.
I saw immediate improvement after only two days of doing the exercises, which was a strong incentive for me to continue the exercises faithfully. Because of a household emergency with my plumbing, I missed the next appointment and the Christmas and New Year’s holidays prevented me from seeing Andrew again until January 6. I told him that I was much better and had been faithfully doing the exercises. When he compared my range of motion between the two visits, it was amazing. My forward bend went from 80 degrees to 95 degrees; backward bend, 15 degrees to 25 degrees; and both side stretches improved by 15 degrees to 40 degrees. We added two more strength-building exercises, which I have been doing and at my last appointment Feb. 3, we decided that therapy had come to an end. I can now walk up stairs, using both legs; I do not limp at all; I sleep soundling for hours; and I can see some improved strength in my weak right leg. Thanks to Andrew’s therapy, I’m feeling 100% better.
These results are just amazing! I have been to other physical therapy facilities in the area and they have either done nothing to help me, or actually created a worse situation than when I came in. I am so pleased with Colorado in Motion. You have a tremendously successful program of healthy healing that really works! I am so pleased that I found you and I brag about your facility every chance that I get.
Sandra Zink
Colorado In Motion Patient
Amy,
I wanted to thank you so much for taking great care of me during my PT rehab for my recent right hip replacement.
To put this in perspective, as I have had to deal with some PT from time-to-time over the past 25 years – and simply put, you are the best practitioner that I have dealt with.
Thanks,
David
Dr. David R. Thayer
Colorado In Motion Patient
I am 100% cured. No more numbness in my fingers. I don’t even need to wear my brace at night anymore. Your recommended equipment and posture changes did the trick. Thanks so much!
Rob, Fort Collins
Colorado In Motion Patient
Our son was 9+ weeks premature and required physical therapy to help with his gross motor skills. Jessica Albers was our therapist and she was wonderful. She gave us the tools to help our son develop and he is now a very active little two year old. We would recommend Jessica to any parents with a child that needs help.
Aaron Biesemeier
Colorado In Motion Patient
I was referred to CIM for some calf and Achilles issues a few months after a bad strain. I had the pleasure of working with Derek Haverley to resolve it. Derek took time explaining to me how dry needling could help the situation, the results were amazing. Derek is very professional, personable and skilled. Without him, I simply would not have achieved important personal fitness goals I had this year!
Jill Fox
Colorado In Motion Patient
From the very first treatment with Tim I knew I was on the road to recovery. A combination of dry needling, manipulation, home exercises relieved my chronic leg pain caused by a herniated disk. I was in severe pain and limited mobility for more than 3 years. I’ve had 4 treatments and I’m back on my bike. Tim cares and he knows how to get you back into life.
Joe
Colorado In Motion Patient
Tim has been helping me deal with various running and cycling injuries for a couple of years. They have included hip, back, calf, and knee issues. The at-home exercises he recommended helped so much, and I am now running and cycling pain free. He also recommended a specific strength training program. I am so grateful for his help.
Sheri
Colorado In Motion Patient
I was in a horrible car accident and had tried many specialized treatments for pain and pain management for more than a year before it was suggested to have Physical Therapy at CIM. David’s suggestion to try dry needling for my neck & shoulder areas has made a tremendous improvement. David’s positive attitude and professional advice keep me moving and feeling better after each appointment.
Carol
Colorado In Motion Patient
Through a combination of dry needling and exercises, Terry had my lower back pain gone within a few weeks. His approach to care is great — educate the patient, give ’em the necessary tools, and the healing happens.
Chris Ketterman
Colorado In Motion Patient
Terry is phenomenal. I’m a runner that has been working on a variety of issues for quite a while and I very recently saw Terry. I’ve had chronic Plantar Fasciitis and Terry has gotten it taken care of. His use of ASTYM has been great and my return to running has been much faster than I thought it would be. I highly recommend him.
Jim Haselmaier
Colorado In Motion Patient
I worked with John Zapanta this fall for joint pain and had terrific results. John’s personality, talent and enthusiasm regarding my recovery made the process more enjoyable than I would have thought possible. I was impressed that he often would follow up with an e-mail with photos of suggested exercises, along with words of encouragement.
Cynthia Coogan
Colorado In Motion Patient
John was very helpful in easing the pain in my shoulder and gave me exercises to do at home in short increments of time that would fit into my schedule, but would still accomplish the goal. The care that John demonstrates is superb. I found the entire staff very caring, knowledgeable, kind and informative. They all care about the client and their well-being and health. I’m glad I was referred to this facility.
Carol Metzner
Colorado In Motion Patient
At CIM, I was fortunate to be the client of both Amy and John before and after shoulder surgery, and my son spent a visit with Amy for both acute and chronic ankle injury. Amy’s ability to explore, diagnose, and positively isolate all the issues through progressive examination and testing is excellent. John filled in for some visits without missing a single observation or conclusion. This place seems to have been built with a mission in mind to focus on each person uniquely, and it worked for us.
John Jacobi
Colorado In Motion Patient
After feeling like my workspace was not the right fit for me, I had an ergonomic evaluation with Dona. From the moment she arrived she noticed things and made small changes that immediately made a difference in my workspace. However the best changes came when I took her final recommendations and had my work space modified to the specifications we discussed. I am on day two of using my “new” workspace and I am over the moon happy. Thanks again for everything!
Colorado In Motion Patient
Thank you so much! I love you guys and the care I received!
