How Physical Therapy and Injections Work Together for Neck Pain Relief

Up to one in five people experience neck pain at any given time. In many cases, the pain becomes chronic, recurring or persisting for several months or longer.

If you’re bothered by frequent, lingering, or severe neck pain, physical therapy (PT) and injections hold a lot of promise. Particularly when used together, these minimally invasive treatments can provide a safe and effective path to lasting relief.

Dr. Nicholas Perenich and his team at Spine Institute of Florida in Dade City and Spring Hill, Florida, provide comprehensive neck pain care to restore your well-being.

Common neck pain causes

Most neck pain stems from a mechanical issue with your cervical (upper) spine. Causing such pain is a range of factors, including sudden injuries, age-related spine changes, poor lifestyle habits, and chronic medical conditions. 

Common neck pain causes we see in our office include:

• Arthritis
• Disc herniation
• Muscle strain
• Nerve compression (radiculopathy)
• Spinal stenosis
• Whiplash

Chronic neck pain can also stem from poor posture, inactivity, athletic spine injuries, and car accidents. Holding your head in an awkward position, such as to cradle your phone, and repetitive movements, like frequently slouching over a computer or turning your head in factory work, also strain the neck.

PT and injections for neck pain

Physical therapy helps neck pain by improving mechanical issues. Performed in-office and at home, PT exercises can correct poor posture, strengthen muscles that support your neck, and restore your flexibility and mobility. Over time, these benefits lead to less pain. They also protect your neck and spine from future issues.

Epidural steroid or nerve block injections ease neck pain more directly. The targeted treatment often reduces pain quickly, with added, gradual relief from reduced inflammation. While it doesn’t address neck mechanics, it restores comfort and makes movement easier. 

Given that pain and inflammation can make moving your neck difficult, spinal injections often make PT more feasible and effective. 

Physical therapy and injection results

Individual results vary, but a study showed that adding physical therapy to spinal injections led to significantly greater quality of life than injections alone in people with spinal stenosis. PT also enhanced participants’ emotional well-being and perceptions of their general health.

If you’re approved for injections and PT, our team will monitor your results and adjust your care plan if needed. If conservative treatments fall short for severe symptoms, we may recommend a procedure, such as disc replacement or spinal fusion.

To learn more about PT and injections for neck pain or to find lasting relief, call Spine Institute of Florida or schedule an appointment through our website today.