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Going to a PT for neck/trap issues. What to expect
Posted on 9/8/26 at 3:26 pm
Posted on 9/8/26 at 3:26 pm
I get gnarly arse headaches, which stem from muscle tension and knots in my neck and upper traps (self diagnosed.).
If I use something like a muscle roller to pinpoint the knots in my neck, I can normally make the headache go away.
But lately, the headaches have been a little worse and more difficult to get rid of.
I scheduled an appointment with a PT to see if they can in some way help.
What should I expect, do you think? Dry needling? TENS machine? Cupping?
My concern is that they'll try to put me on a cookie cutter workout routine made for sedentary individuals that won't help, instead of pinpointing and fixing the underlying issues. Probably not a valid concern, but I've known people that this has happened to in the past.
If I use something like a muscle roller to pinpoint the knots in my neck, I can normally make the headache go away.
But lately, the headaches have been a little worse and more difficult to get rid of.
I scheduled an appointment with a PT to see if they can in some way help.
What should I expect, do you think? Dry needling? TENS machine? Cupping?
My concern is that they'll try to put me on a cookie cutter workout routine made for sedentary individuals that won't help, instead of pinpointing and fixing the underlying issues. Probably not a valid concern, but I've known people that this has happened to in the past.
Posted on 9/8/26 at 4:09 pm to boxcarbarney
quote:
Probably not a valid concern
It's a completely valid concern. Like the doctor that told me, "if using the bench press makes your should hurt, you should find other exercises."
You can usually diagnose a PT or chiropractor based on who you see in the waiting room. My chiropractor is more of a sports therapist that sees a lot of athletic folks and wants to actually fix the issue.
Posted on 9/8/26 at 4:25 pm to LemmyLives
quote:
You can usually diagnose a PT or chiropractor based on who you see in the waiting room. My chiropractor is more of a sports therapist that sees a lot of athletic folks and wants to actually fix the issue.
I debated between going to a chiro or going through PT.
Because of my insurance, I need to use Ochsner's physical therapy. If the PT suggests that I stop lifting, or anything like that, my response will be something along the lines of "Yeah, that's not gonna happen, so we're just going to have to find a way to work around it"
Posted on 9/8/26 at 4:36 pm to boxcarbarney
Posted on 9/8/26 at 11:15 pm to boxcarbarney
Depends on the clinic you go to with Ochsner. Go see Dakoda Allbritton or Luke Bunch if you have to go through Ochsner.
They are both sports minded PTs that aren’t going to just put you through a car wash
They are both sports minded PTs that aren’t going to just put you through a car wash
Posted on 9/9/26 at 6:34 am to boxcarbarney
Probably all of the above.
But recognize that if your upper traps are chronically tight it may be due to underdeveloped or comparatively weak lower traps or rhomboids - so a starter routine might be the appropriate first step.
————
One can be very fit and quite strong with imbalances that create issues. I remember going to a PT years ago with shoulder issues and he told me my back was weak. I was lifting 4x per week and setting PRs, but turns out just doing pull-ups and rows left my mid back weaker. Facepulls and pull aparts felt like remedial work but solved my issues.
But recognize that if your upper traps are chronically tight it may be due to underdeveloped or comparatively weak lower traps or rhomboids - so a starter routine might be the appropriate first step.
————
One can be very fit and quite strong with imbalances that create issues. I remember going to a PT years ago with shoulder issues and he told me my back was weak. I was lifting 4x per week and setting PRs, but turns out just doing pull-ups and rows left my mid back weaker. Facepulls and pull aparts felt like remedial work but solved my issues.
Posted on 9/9/26 at 9:06 am to h0ll@yaboy
So I got a message from Ochsner this morning letting me know that I will have to pay $350 for this visit.
I contacted my insurance, and they said that because of where the appointment is located, its considered an out of network visit, so deductibles kick in.
My insurance is sending me a list of approved inpatient PT providers to choose from.
That's wild that the PT I was going to works for Ochsner, does his work in an Ochsner building, but because it isn't the right kind of building its considered out of network.
I contacted my insurance, and they said that because of where the appointment is located, its considered an out of network visit, so deductibles kick in.
My insurance is sending me a list of approved inpatient PT providers to choose from.
That's wild that the PT I was going to works for Ochsner, does his work in an Ochsner building, but because it isn't the right kind of building its considered out of network.
This post was edited on 9/10/26 at 9:32 am
Posted on 9/9/26 at 9:23 am to boxcarbarney
If you have someone in your area that does myofascial trigger point massage, that can be great for what you're describing. It helped a lot with my shoulder/neck tension.
Posted on 9/9/26 at 9:31 am to boxcarbarney
I had a similar issue a few years back. Tentative diagnosis as occipital neuralgia, got some localized shots to quiet nerves and also gabapentin helped.
I started focusing on rhomboid stuff at the gym. It slowly got better and is fully gone now.
Good luck.
I started focusing on rhomboid stuff at the gym. It slowly got better and is fully gone now.
Good luck.
Posted on 9/9/26 at 9:46 am to BluegrassBelle
quote:
If you have someone in your area that does myofascial trigger point massage, that can be great for what you're describing. It helped a lot with my shoulder/neck tension.
I used to go to the Bailey Institute on Metairie Road for that kind of stuff. But they closed, and I have yet to find a replacement.
I'm at the point that I want this corrected. While massage therapy has helped, I think I need to take this a step further.
Posted on 9/9/26 at 3:18 pm to boxcarbarney
PT here:
Unfortunately alot of places will do what you are afraid of.
They should do a thorough examnation of your neck, shoulders, thoracic spine and even below looking at strength and mobility.
As wellas take into account your history and aggravating activities.
Then design a program based of that information as well as your goals.
Treatment ahould consist of manual therapy and exercise locally as well as global exercise and activity management
Unfortunately alot of places will do what you are afraid of.
They should do a thorough examnation of your neck, shoulders, thoracic spine and even below looking at strength and mobility.
As wellas take into account your history and aggravating activities.
Then design a program based of that information as well as your goals.
Treatment ahould consist of manual therapy and exercise locally as well as global exercise and activity management
Posted on 9/9/26 at 3:48 pm to Guidrygolfnsport
quote:
PT here:
Unfortunately alot of places will do what you are afraid of.
They should do a thorough examnation of your neck, shoulders, thoracic spine and even below looking at strength and mobility.
As wellas take into account your history and aggravating activities.
Then design a program based of that information as well as your goals.
Treatment ahould consist of manual therapy and exercise locally as well as global exercise and activity management
Thanks for posting. I just want them to do that muscle scraping thing that looks so satisfying.
Posted on 9/10/26 at 9:22 am to boxcarbarney
You could check out the stable. They have a PT onsite that works with athletes as well
Posted on 9/10/26 at 9:29 am to h0ll@yaboy
Thanks. But I'll try someplace closer to home.
Posted on 9/10/26 at 10:11 pm to boxcarbarney
If you want to pinpoint and fix the underlying issues like you said then you don’t just want them to do scraping on you. That’s worthless long term.
Posted on 9/11/26 at 10:27 am to mtcheral
quote:
If you want to pinpoint and fix the underlying issues like you said then you don’t just want them to do scraping on you. That’s worthless long term.
Obviously more than just scraping would go into it. Just the process itself looks satisfying.
If I was just looking for scraping, I'd give my wife some lotion and a butter knife and tell her to go to town.
Posted on 9/11/26 at 3:11 pm to boxcarbarney
This isn't an attack on what mtcheral said, but scraping (Graston technique as an example) actually does a lot for people in multiple ways and does have some lasting effect. Most people believe that it is good at breaking up myofascial adhesions, which there is some efficacy in that, but it is fantastic and does have long lasting effects for your body's proprioception.
To add on to what the other PT stated. If I were you I would also find a PT who can do Sub-occipital Inhibition. It's a very easy manual therapy technique that any decent PT should now. It will help with those tension type headaches you get with those tight upper trap/paraspinal muscles that attach to your occiput (posterior base of your skull).
Good luck, and I hope this helps.
ETA: Occipital to Sub-occipital
To add on to what the other PT stated. If I were you I would also find a PT who can do Sub-occipital Inhibition. It's a very easy manual therapy technique that any decent PT should now. It will help with those tension type headaches you get with those tight upper trap/paraspinal muscles that attach to your occiput (posterior base of your skull).
Good luck, and I hope this helps.
ETA: Occipital to Sub-occipital
This post was edited on 9/11/26 at 3:13 pm
Posted on 9/11/26 at 3:24 pm to PrezCock
Appreciate it. My appointment is this coming Wednesday.
Posted on 9/14/26 at 2:19 pm to boxcarbarney
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