Neck Pain
Neck Pain
The neck region is the most mobile area of the spine. It is made up of vertebrae that extend from the skull to the upper back.
The bones, ligaments and muscles of the neck support the head and allow it to move in different directions whilst offering stability. When any one of these structures are injured, we experience neck pain
The increased mobility of the neck often makes it more vulnerable to injury or pain. Neck pain is common. 2 out of 3 adults will experience neck pain sometime in their lives.
Often the problem can be from poor posture with some neck muscles being more strained than others. The way we sit or stand or hunch over our work desks can have a considerable affect on our neck muscles. Increased phone and tablet use is also linked to neck problems
Sometimes it can be from acute trauma such as a whiplash injury or a sudden impact such as a fall
It can also be related to occupation and age. Age related neck pain is often due to Arthritis.
Sometimes neck pain may be an indicator of more serious problems and in these cases it is important a through examination and imaging is performed by a doctor
Causes of Neck Pain
Strain
Most commonly termed a ‘strain’. Often the cause is poor posture and a resultant strain or sprain to the muscles or ligaments in the neck. Many hours hunched over a computer or mobile phone over use are linked to this
Degenerative
‘Wear and Tear’ or Osteoarthritis. These terms are often interchanged with ‘Spondylosis’. Often this is due to the degeneration or wearing away of the cartilage between the joints in the neck. This along with reduced mobility can cause pain and stiffness in the neck.
Radiculopathy
Sometimes a Disc bulge in the neck may cause pressure on a nerve. This can also happen in Osteoarthritis of the neck where a bony spur may press on a nerve. This is often referred to as ‘Radiculopathy‘
Trauma
a whiplash injury can cause injury or strain to the joints and ligaments in the neck. The hyper-extension to the neck can sometimes cause micro tears in the ligaments between the bony vertebrae in the neck
Serious
These include Rheumatoid Arthritis, bone disorders, infections, cancers and serious injuries
Neck Pain Symptoms
- Headache
- Muscle tightness and spasm
- Pain, pins and needles and numbness going down the arm and fingertips.
- Pain worsened by holding your head in certain positions
- Weakness or clumsiness of a hand or arm
- If neck pain develops and you are ill with other problems such as Rheumatoid Arthritis or cancer
- Problems with walking or passing urine (may indicate pressure on the spinal cord)
Assessment of Neck Pain
In the first instance a healthcare professional assessment is necessary especially if the pain has lasted longer than 5 days duration
Further Investigations follow on from a careful history and examination.
If Imaging is required we proceed to an xray +/- MRI scan
Treatments for Neck Pain
Osteopath
Osteopathy is a type of alternative medicine that invloves manual therapy and focuses on improving muscle and bone health
Read More
Spinal Injections
We offer a range of spinal injections that may include Caudal Epidurals, Trigger Point injections, Facet Joint Injections, Sacroiliac Joint injections and Prolotherapy in the Spine.
Read More
Cortisone Injections
A Cortisone Injection (termed steroid injection in the UK) is an anti inflammatory injection for the joints or body tissue to relieve pain.
Read More
Platelet Rich Plasma
PRP treatment can reduce the need for anti-inflammatory medication or strong painkillers with unwanted side effects
Read More
Prolotherapy
A regenerative treatment for chronic painful joints and ligaments which involves the injection of a specially formulated solution into damaged tissue.
Read MoreFor a detailed assessment of your neck pain
Contact us
We’d love to hear from you!
Just reach out and contact us via any of
these channels:
Call us on
Email us on
Call us on
