Neck Pain / Headaches / TMJ

  • Neck Pain

    Physical Therapy Daytona Beach, FL

    A Reputation for Quality

    Our therapists at Orthoprime Physical Therapy are highly trained to provide quality care for head and neck pain. A thorough initial evaluation helps us identify movement dysfunction we can address with patient education, manual techniques, therapeutic exercises, and modalities. Regular reassessment reassures you that we are always working to achieve your goals in a cost-effective manner.

    Priority One – Pain Relief

    Severe head & neck pain can be disabling. For this reason, our first priority is pain relief. Treating the underlying causes of identifiable movement dysfunction is the next step toward achieving long-term relief and recovery.

    Diagnosing a Pinched Nerve in the Neck

    A pinched nerve occurs when your nerve root becomes compressed as it exits your spinal column. A pinched nerve in the neck occurs when a nerve root exiting the spinal cord becomes irritated or compressed. A pinched nerve in the neck is known as cervical radiculopathy. Pain is the most common symptom of a pinched nerve. There may also be weakness and/or mild numbness, tingling, or a burning sensation in nearby areas such as the shoulder, arm, hand, and fingers. Doctors use several tests to help them diagnose pinched nerves, including
    • The Spurling Test - involves the doctor extending your neck, rotating your head from side to side, and applying gentle downward pressure to the top of the head to see if he can elicit symptoms of pinched nerves.
    • X-Ray - the X-Ray can't see your nerves, but it does show the alignment of the vertebrae in your neck and demonstrate narrowing of the foramen and disc spacing in the vertebrae. This information can show nerve damage or rule it out as the cause of your neck pain.
    • Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan - a more detailed image of the bones, which is why doctors sometimes use this to help diagnose a person with a suspected pinched nerve.
    • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) - an MRI will show the severity of the nerve compression in your neck and determine if a herniated disc is causing it.
    • Electromyelography (EMG) - a test that measures the speed of transmitting electrical impulses along a nerve to determine whether a nerve or group of nerves is functioning properly. EMG can help doctors determine which nerve is irritated or compressed and exactly where the compression occurs.

    A Hands-on Approach

    In most cases, hands-on techniques are an essential part of a successful head and neck pain treatment program. Our therapists are equipped with cutting-edge manual skills to assist with the recovery of range of motion, reestablish correct movement patterns, and alleviate muscle-related pain and tightness. Coupled with patient education and therapeutic exercise, the results can be dramatic and long-lasting.

    Evidence is Our Guide

    Medical research is continuously providing the clinicians at Orthoprime Physical Therapy with “current best-evidence” guidance so we are equipped to provide the state-of-the-art care to our community members. We look to systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials to guide us in delivering state-of-the-art care. Coupled with regular attendance to continuing education courses, Orthoprime Physical Therapy has a reputation for providing a high-quality service to those in need of head and neck pain rehabilitation.

    Physical Therapy for Neck Pain

    Visit our Medical Library for more information on neck pain.

  • Headaches

    Physical Therapy Daytona Beach, FL
    A headache is pain that occurs in the front, top, side(s), or back of your head. Headaches are our most common form of pain and a major reason cited for days missed at work or school as well as visits to the doctor. The International Classification of Headache Disorders, published by the International Headache Society, is used to classify more than 150 types of primary and secondary headache disorders. Primary headaches occur independently and are not caused by another medical condition. The main classifications of headaches are:
    • Tension-type headache
    • Migraine headache
    • Cluster headache
    Headaches that our expert clinicians commonly treat are:
    • Cervicogenic headache (headache coming from the neck)
    • Jaw/TMJ related headache
    • Tension headache
    • Stress-related headache
    • Headaches related to some nerve disorders

    Frequency & Intensity

    Headaches can vary in frequency and severity. Some individuals may experience headaches once or twice a year, while others may experience headaches more than 15 days a month. Pain can range from mild to disabling and may be accompanied by symptoms such as nausea or increased sensitivity to noise or light, depending on the headache type.

    Physical Therapy for Headaches

    Our therapists at Orthoprime Physical Therapy are highly trained to provide quality care for head and neck pain. A thorough initial evaluation helps us identify movement dysfunction we can address with patient education, manual techniques, therapeutic exercise, and modalities. Regular reassessment reassures you that we are always working to achieve your goals in a cost-effective manner.

    Priority One – Pain Relief

    Severe head & neck pain can be disabling. For this reason, our first priority is pain relief. Treating the underlying causes of identifiable movement dysfunction is the next step toward achieving long-term relief and recovery.

    We Start With a Thorough Evaluation

    When you see a therapist, they will ask you the following:
    • Do you have any previous injuries to your neck, head, or jaw
    • When did the pain start, where is it located, and what makes it better or worse
    • You’ll be asked to draw a picture of where it hurts
    • The therapist will perform a special range of motion, strength, and sensation tests
    • There will be an assessment of your posture during sitting, standing, and performing various activities
    • Areas like the jaw, neck, shoulders, and middle back will be examined as well.
    After we ask you questions and perform a thorough exam, we will provide a summary of the findings and a personalized plan of care.

    Hands-on Approach

    In most cases, hands-on techniques are essential to a successful head and neck pain treatment program. Our therapists apply the following approaches to the treatment of headaches:
    • Cutting-edge manual skills for pain relief, relaxation, and recovery of motion.
    • Postural retraining to reestablish positioning of the head, neck, and trunk.
    • Neuromuscular reeducation to relax tense muscles and reactivate weak muscular support of the head and neck.
    • Stretching techniques to alleviate muscle-related pain and tightness.
    • Therapeutic exercise to improve muscle endurance and maintain good posture.
    • Modification of your workstation or home office.

    Evidence is Our Guide

    Medical research is continually providing our clinicians at Orthoprime Physical Therapy with “current best-evidence” guidance, equipping us to deliver state-of-the-art care to our community members. We rely on systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials to guide our care. Combined with regular continuing education, Orthoprime Physical Therapy has a reputation for providing high-quality care for those needing head and neck pain rehabilitation.

  • TMJ

    Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a term that encompasses a group of disorders involving the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The TMJs are the jaw joints. There is one on each side of your head, just in front of your ear canals. Like many other joints in the body, they consist of:
    • Muscles that control joint movement,
    • Ligaments that hold the bones together,
    • Cartilage that provides a smooth surface for the bones to move on,
    • A disc that helps with proper movement of the bones,
    • Elastic tissue that helps hold the disc in place.
    One or more of the above tissues can cause symptoms. In fact, studies suggest that one-third of the population experiences TMJ symptoms at any given time, such as pain with chewing, yawning, or jaw opening. Women seem to have TMJ problems much more often than men, and it is estimated that 3-6% of the population might benefit from treatment. There are a variety of temporomandibular disorders. The muscles (myogenous), joint(s) (arthrogenous), or a combination of the two may cause pain. Since physical therapists treat muscle and joint problems, they are ideally suited to address a TMD. Moreover, a majority of patients diagnosed with TMD also have associated neck pain. Both respond well to treatment provided by a physical therapist. No other healthcare practitioner is better suited to address both the TMD and neck pain. TMD may appear to be a complex condition, and it shouldn't be. This website and your physical therapist can help to ensure the following:
    1. You are properly educated,
    2. that your treatment is conservative, cost-effective, and reversible, goals are realistic,
    3. your examination is brief and meant to identify your source(s) of pain.
    When a physical therapist performs the examination, they will be able to classify you as having one or more of the following:
    1. An inflammatory condition
    2. Limited jaw range of motion
    3. Excessive jaw range of motion
    4. Arthrogenous Disc Displacement
    5. Jaw muscle pain
    6. Neck pain causing related headaches (sometimes mistaken as TMD)
    Once the involved structures are identified, the therapist will be able to provide you with the appropriate treatment.

    Common Treatments for TMJ

    If you would like to learn more about how our TMJ specialists can help you out, please give us a call.