Neck pain and headaches can be literally that – a pain in the neck. There can be many causes ranging from posture, age, genetics, weakness or acute trauma.
Acute injuries can involve spraining or straining of the muscle tissues in the neck whereas gradual onset neck pain often occurs in patients that are involved with office work, repetitive/prolonged bending, poor posture, sleep positions, lifting or a combination of these activities.
The Thoracic Spine is closely related to the neck and often involved in the postural cause of many of the neck issues we treat, but can also have isolated injuries.
Cervicogenic Headaches and Migraines
Headaches originating from the neck are usually a combination of muscle stiffness, loss of cervical spine joint range of movement, inflammation and weakness.
Many people have referred pain into the back of the skull, the temples and into the forehead, which can be related to postural overload, stress, computer use, and sleeping positions.
Many migraines can be helped by abolishing the musculoskeletal component or trigger.
Treatment for both headaches and migraines involve manual joint mobilisation techniques and soft tissue release to help reduce neck muscle stiffness, increase primarily joint rotation range of movement and then improving overall neck strength.
Disc Bulges and Herniations
Very similar to disc injuries in the lower back, disc injuries in the neck are related to either tearing and/or bulging of the disc contents from either a traumatic or gradual onset period.
Disc pain can result in referred nerve symptoms (radiculopathy) such as pain into the arm and shoulder, with related pins and needles, numbness to the hand and in serious cases reduced strength.
Specific Physiotherapy techniques and dynamic mobility movements and exercises are used for changing disc mechanics and relieving neural symptoms, with a high emphasis on stability and isometric strengthening exercises early in the rehabilitation program.
Wry Neck and Muscle Pain or Tightness
Wry neck is a common complaint where neck pain and stiffness arises, which is often accompanied by increased tension of the surrounding neck muscles, tenderness and trigger points in the trapezius and shoulder blade muscles.
It can be related to the joints and discs, however more commonly we see an inability to move the neck comfortably through its full range of motion.
We aim to give you an accurate diagnosis including biomechanical causes, reduce the symptoms in your neck with targeted treatment, improve the range of movement and prescribe self managing exercises to ensure a full recovery and education for future prevention.
Thoracic Spine Joint Dysfunction
Joint sprains in the mid back and referred rib cage pain is more common than you think.
Identifying the affected structure is key, as well as diagnosing if the cervical spine is a causative factor in pain that is in the thoracic spine region.
Our Physio’s use many tried and tested joint mobilisation techniques to help improve thoracic mobility, reduce the pain and muscle spasm that is preventing normal movement.
Addressing postural habits and core strength will be important in faster recovery and ongoing maintenance.
Instruction in the use of home mobility tools is also helpful in the improvement of spinal movement and reduction of soft tissue stiffness.
Whiplash
Whiplash is typically the result of a motor vehicle accident, whereby the neck is thrown forcefully in one direction and then in the opposite direction.
The brain then goes into a protective state and guards the neck, resulting in the muscles and soft tissues surrounding the neck becoming tight and painful, which limits neck range of movement.
Pain may be felt in the head and neck with or without referred pain into the upper back, shoulders and arms.
Less commonly pins and needles, numbness or weakness may be present in the affected arm or hand.
Many whiplash cases take time for the body and nervous system to recover so it is essential that a tailored and consistent rehab program of the right mobility and strengthening exercises is in place to enable ongoing improvements.
