When you're dealing with chronic neck pain, scheduling a series of appointments with a physical therapist can help you work toward living without discomfort. Your physical therapist will not only provide hands-on treatment for your neck, but also guide you through a series of exercises that you can perform at home to continue to lessen your pain. It's important to carefully follow the physical therapist's instructions so that you don't engage in any behavior that reverses the progress made during your sessions and deepens your discomfort. While your therapist will provide specific guidelines based on your exact condition, here are some things to avoid doing after going to physical therapy.

Heavy Lifting

Although heavy lifting is often seen as something that can strain your back, there's a connection to your neck, too. Depending on what you're lifting, you might be leaning forward in a manner that the weight of your head puts a strain on your neck, resulting in worse pain. Additionally, when you lift something that is heavy, you'll often tighten many muscles throughout your body, including those in your neck. This can lead to irritation and potentially negate the treatment that the therapist provided to loosen up these muscles.

Fighting Your Fatigue

If you're tired after seeing your physical therapist, your best option is to go to bed for a nap. Many people make the mistake of fighting their fatigue because they don't want to take time for a nap, but end up falling asleep on the couch or in a comfortable chair. The concern with this situation is that when you doze on the couch, your body isn't always in an ideal position. This can mean that your head slumps forward, putting strain on your neck, or gets jammed between the couch cushion and armrest, leading to a kink. When you commit to lying in bed, you'll be able to position your body so that your neck is adequately supported.

Exercising Too Vigorously

Your physical therapist might advocate a certain degree of exercise after your sessions, but you should typically stay away from vigorous exercise. During up-tempo workouts, your head can bounce around a little. This can put a further strain on your neck. For example, this bouncing can be common during high-intensity step aerobics, in which you're constantly bouncing, jumping and moving from side to side. You might not notice any pain during the workout, given the endorphin release, but you could be extremely sore afterward.

For more info about physical therapy, contact a company like Robert Volski & Associates Physical Therapy.