2 treatment options for throbbing pain in your neck

Neck pain affects roughly 80% of all people in the U.S. during some period of their lives. It’s also estimated that anywhere between 20% to 50% of people in the U.S. deal with neck pain every year, making neck pain prevalent across the country.

Certain types of neck pain can be associated with particular conditions. For example, throbbing neck pain might indicate a unique issue that differs from the condition that could be behind burning neck pain. If you’re someone who experiences throbbing neck pain, you can find out more about some of the potential causes and how you can improve your pain, both at home and professionally.

What are some causes of that throbbing pain in your neck?

If you're feeling an intense throbbing pain in your neck but you can't figure out what's causing it, reference some of these potential causes listed below. You might find that one or several of these causes could be to blame: 

• Overuse and strain — One of the most common causes of throbbing pain in the neck is overuse. When the muscles in the neck and shoulder are used too frequently or to carry heavier loads than they can bear, the result is muscle strain. Muscle strain caused by overuse can cause pain and discomfort.

• Poor posture — Another potential cause of throbbing pain in your neck is poor posture. Sitting long hours every day hunched over at your desk or with rounded shoulders when you stand up can lead to poor posture. Abnormal posture over time can cause muscle tension and even nerve compression in the neck, which can lead to throbbing pain.

• Injury — Throbbing pain in your neck can also be caused by injury. If you frequently participate in sports or intense physical activity and you've been injured, this could be why you're experiencing neck pain.

• Pinched nerve — A pinched or compressed nerve can cause pain in the neck. If you’re dealing with a pinched nerve, this could be one reason why you’re feeling throbbing neck pain.

• Muscle tension — Too much built-up tension in the muscles can cause throbbing pain in the neck. Muscle tension can be caused by stress and overuse. Your neck pain could be due to built-up tension in the muscles.

• Age — Over time, the muscles, joints, ligaments, tendons and other tissue in your body deteriorate. Throbbing neck pain can be due to the deterioration of the tissue in your body with age. 

What are some self-care treatments?

There are a few different ways you can treat neck pain at home. Options include pain medications like NSAIDs or muscle relaxers. You may also want to try heat or ice packs. If the cause of your pain is stress or muscle tension, reducing stress factors may ease some of that pain. You could also benefit from improving your posture at home. While at-home treatment might help, there is another treatment option you could try.

What are some treatments that you could receive during physical therapy for that throbbing pain in your neck?

While there are many treatment methods that you could use for your throbbing neck pain while you're at home, you may see greater results from professional treatment. Physical therapy is one of those professional treatment sources. Here’s how it can help:

• Posture improvements — Regular PT sessions can improve posture. For those who hunch over when sitting at a desk or even walking, physical therapy can target the habits and weaknesses that may lead to poor posture. A PT specialist can teach you how to improve your posture over time so that your neck pain can also improve.

• Muscle strengthening — A physical therapist can help you ease neck pain by strengthening the muscles in the surrounding areas. If the root of your throbbing neck pain is muscle weakness, they can help you build strength in the neck, shoulders and core abdominal muscles to provide greater support. 

• Tension release — Another treatment method that you might receive during physical therapy for throbbing pain in your neck is muscle tension release. When the muscles in your neck have become so tense that they cause throbbing pain, certain PT techniques may provide relief. These include the Graston Technique® and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM).

Don't delay getting physical therapy treatment any longer. Alliance PTP wants to help you find treatment as soon as possible

Need a partner to help you address the throbbing pain in your neck? Alliance Physical Therapy Partners is here for you.

We can help you find the in-person or virtual physical therapy that’s right for you, and even better, we’ll help you find a team of caring professionals who are ready to walk with you through your entire PT journey. 

Contact us today to start getting the care you need.