Neck pain
Stop living with neck pain from today!
Without drugs and surgeries, but with care and compassion...
Common causes
- Lifestyle factors, e.g. sleep position, prolonged computer use
- Posture problems
- Stress, anxiety or depression
- Wear and tear on the joints of the neck (osteoarthritis)
- Disc herniation
- Muscle tension
- Whiplash
Neck pain explained in plain language
- Osteopathy is recommended for the treatment of non-specific neck pain. This includes neck pain caused by posture problems, neck strain, sports injuries, anxiety and depression
- Neck pain and stiffness can be local but can also spread to the head, causing headaches, or to the upper back, shoulders and arms.
- If the nerve root in the neck is irritated, you may experience aches and pins and needles, numbness or weakness in the arms, hands and even in the legs.
- Nerve root irritation is usually caused by a disc herniation or wear and tear on the facet joints at the back of the spine.
What are the main causes of neck pain?
Wry neck
Wry neck syndrome occurs when a person is constantly sitting in front of a computer or constantly scrolling on his phone. The syndrome occurs when the muscles of the neck and back are weakened, as well as when the shoulder and chest muscles are overworked. Because of the forward stretching of the shoulders and neck, the spinal column is deformed and a slouch occurs. Due to the weakening of the muscles, the skin of the neck loses its extensibility and a second chin appears.
Sprain
A neck sprain occurs when the ligaments that connect the vertebrae of the neck are overstretched or torn. A neck sprain is a pulling of a neck muscle or similar injury to a ligament. These two types of injuries have common symptoms and are usually treated similarly.
Osteoarthritis
Cervical osteoarthritis sometimes called cervical facet joint syndrome occurs when the protective cartilage that covers each facet joint of the neck begins to break down. This condition is a normal part of aging, but can be accelerated by neck injury or by being overweight or obese. Cervical osteoarthritis often accompanies cervical degenerative disc disease.
Disc herniation
A disc herniation occurs when the soft, rubbery substance normally contained inside the disc (called the nucleus pulposus) comes out and pinches or compresses a nerve root. Ruptures in the tough outer fibers of the disc called annular tears can lead to a herniation. Annular tears can be caused by repetitive or sudden, severe stress on the spinal joint.
How does the osteopath treat neck pain?
The osteopath will perform a thorough examination to determine the cause of the neck pain. If osteopathic therapy is appropriate, it may include soft tissue massage and mobilisation of the neck and spine. The aim is to reduce pain, improve ease of movement and increase resistance to further episodes of neck pain. The osteopath will also give you advice on lifestyle, posture and exercises to do at home. In some cases you may be referred to your GP for scans, x-rays or other tests to rule out possible diseases.