Could your mindset impact the effects of physiotherapy on neck pain? Here’s what a neck physio has to say. Visit our blog post here for details.
Our necks are a part of our body we tend not to think about until it causes us problems. Even the slightest stiffness in this area will have us struggling to dress, eat, lift items or turn our heads. In severe cases, it can be so debilitating that it affects our shoulders, back, and arms too. Things get worse when the pain in question is chronic.
Continuous pain can change a person’s mind, motivation and mood and people living with injuries or pain for years can feel depressed and demotivated. While rigorous physiotherapy can help, a person who’s suffered from neck pain for years might feel sceptical of it. When this is a concern, you need to keep the following principles in mind to make your therapy effective.
Change Your Mindset
According to a recent study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, patients who believe that their physio treatment will work find relief sooner than those who don’t. It’s also more effective if a person expects to take part in their favourite activities in the future, such as playing sport, exercising, socialising or returning to work. Believing that physiotherapy will work affects how your body reacts to treatment.
What Else Can You Do?
Other than keeping a positive mindset, what else can people do to help relieve neck pain and tension? Here are a few tips.
- Correct your posture. Slouching or sitting in an incorrect chair for long periods can cause neck pain
- Avoid long periods of rest in one position
- Avoid sleeping with too many pillows at night
- Shrug or lower your shoulders often to ease tension and tight muscles
While you can follow these tips by yourself, you’ll need help with other activities that can lessen neck pain. For example, you’ll need someone to show you how to strengthen your neck muscles to help support your head. You’ll need to practice relaxing your neck muscles, so they don’t become tense and stiff. Finally, you’ll need guidance on keeping your neck active to avoid similar discomfort. To implement these exercises effectively, you need the help of a neck physio. To find one near to you in Auckland, contact Cairnhill Physiotherapytoday.
Category: General