Why you should never ignore neck pain

There are few injuries as debilitating as chronic neck pain. If you’ve ever had it, you know how affecting it can be. Left untreated, neck pain likely won’t remain isolated in your neck. It can radiate, affecting shoulders and even cause tingles and shooting pains through your arms and hands. Headaches can also be a side effect and remain present until you have sought treatment for the root of the problem. Not only having to manage the pain, neck injuries interfere with your daily life and stop you from doing even the easiest of physical tasks. Here are some causes to look out for:

Pinched nerve cause:

This occurs when there is pressure on the nerve. It could have been caused from static body positions for extended periods of time or from repetitive motions.

Whiplash:

Commonly associated with car collisions, whiplash can also occur in sports injuries or hard falls. Caused from a sudden jerking motion forwards or backwards.

Overexertion: 

Too much strenuous use involving neck muscles, or even emotional stress, can develop hard knots known as trigger points. Sudden tightening of the muscles can even result in muscle spasms.

Degenerative disorders: 

A common cause of neck pain and radiating arm pain is cervical degenerative disc disease. It develops when one or more of the cushioning discs in the cervical spine starts to break down due to wear and tear.

Posture: 

Poor posture places extra strain on muscles and ligaments supporting the neck, resulting in slow build injuries over time.

Taking a hands on approach, we include soft tissue release, joint mobilisations and manipulations to treat all neck and back pain. Also incorporating neural mobilisations and strengthening/stretching exercises for the specific area and other areas that may be overloaded. To restore normal mobility to the joints, acupuncture and taping techniques can ease pain, too. Finally, advice on desk or workstation set up can help alleviate discomfort.

Come and see us to restore your movement and enhance your health and wellbeing.