The Head and Shoulders of Neck Pain
Neck pain is common in our Osteopathy clinic, and most patient’s want to know why they have it. Osteopathy, thanks to its strong roots in Anatomy and Physiology, as well as strong diagnostic skills, are able to provide patients with a lot of information and support to get them back on track.
Neck pain can present in patients of all ages, backgrounds and occupations. Therefore, it can be caused by a variety of factors. Office workers typically can spend long hours at a desk, and posture can often be neglected in favour of comfort. Our muscles may be tired, or shortened by long periods in postures which are not suited for our biomechanics.
Commuters may also suffer from neck pain, due to long hours seated on a train, or holding onto the railing on the tube. Sometimes we wake up with neck pain after having a poor nights sleep.
Osteopathy seeks to address these issues and apply our principles to ensure a body that is working at its fullest, with the current demands of everyday life on our shoulders. The nerves that supply power to our shoulders originate from nerve roots in our neck. Sometimes this may mean that we would experience symptoms in our shoulders and arms. A thorough examination by an Osteopath can help to narrow down the causes of your neck pain, and refer for further imaging where possible.
Whiplash is also a common condition found in our clinics, and understanding the mechanism of injuries, the symptoms you, as the patient have, and having an robust treatment plan is important to maximise the opportunity for a full recovery.
Osteopathy can be an important factor in the management of neck pain. Due to the variety of techniques available to the Osteopath, from spinal manipulations, soft tissue techniques and mobilizations, Osteopaths can also provide key guidance on exercise and lifestyle factors to aid you on your journey. An Osteopath will also ensure that any neck pain is thoroughly investigated to ensure a proper screening of causes which may need further investigations prior to treatment.
Top tips:
If working at a desk, make sure you spend 5 minutes every hour walking around and moving your neck and trunk to ensure motion.
Ensure regular physical activity throughout the working week to ensure good health, mobility and sleep.
Consult your Osteopath if you have any concerns regarding your neck pain. We are here to help you.