Neck pain is common in many people and is generally exasperated by our professions.
Working hunched over a computer, driving long distances, having poor posture while standing or sitting, too much stress and tiredness are all factors that can cause the muscles in the neck and upper back to tighten and the joints to become stiff which can contribute to chronic neck pain. Over one third of adults suffer with neck pain at some point in their lives.
Sometimes a nerve in your neck can become irritated or ‘trapped’ and cause pain in the arm shooting down into your shoulder or the hand, and often is accompanied by the sensation of numbness and pins and needles. Some headaches can be the result of tension or stiffness in the neck and upper back. Osteoarthritis or age-related wear and tear in the neck can also cause muscular pain from the neck into the shoulder as well as some stiffness in moving the neck.
In the acute phase of injury the osteopath will aim to restore the patients normal, age-related movement in the neck. Your osteopath will do this gradually with a number of techniques such as massage, joint mobilisation, manipulation and stretching. The osteopath will also prescribe specific exercises designed to improve neck control.
After the pain has reduced or been eliminated, your osteopath will generally start to look at why the pain occurred in the first place. This involves assessing and addressing any bio-mechanical and postural issues and providing an ongoing management plan that seeks to increase strength and control and help reduce the risk of injury in the future.
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