Can Physiotherapy Help With Neck Pain?
Neck pain is a common concern that can affect people of all ages. There are many reasons people may develop neck pain, ranging from sleeping in an odd position to more serious causes such as arthritis. However, neck pain doesn’t need to be a permanent fixture in your life. The approach you take to your neck pain will depend on your specific symptoms and the underlying cause, but in many cases, physiotherapy may assist with reducing neck pain and help you move the way you used to.
This article explains what can cause neck pain and if and how physiotherapy may be able to reduce pain and increase functioning. For personalised advice, contact our team at Whole Body Clinic today.
What Are The Types Of Neck Pain?
Neck pain is a broad term that encompasses pain of different types in different areas of the neck. The discs and facet joints in the neck are common structures that can cause pain, as are muscles and soft tissues.
Types of neck pain include:
· Muscle pain
· Muscle spasms
· Headaches
· Facet joint pain
· Nerve pain
· Referred pain
· Bone pain
What Can Cause Neck Pain?
Neck pain can be due to a number of causes, including:
· Muscle strains— Often caused by overuse, such as long hours working on a computer or reading in a fixed position in bed.
· Worn joints— As we age, our joints tend to wear and tear which may result in neck pain.
· Nerve compression— Bone spurs or herniated discs can press on nerves that branch out from the spinal cord.
· Injuries— Such as from sports or car accidents, which may cause whiplash.
· Diseases— Such as rheumatoid arthritis, meningitis, or cancer.
How Physiotherapy May Help With Neck Pain
Physiotherapy is a form of treatment that aims to reduce people’s pain and improve their mobility. There are several techniques used in physiotherapy, and the technique or techniques your physiotherapist recommends will depend on your specific circumstances. While one form may work well for one person, that same technique may not be the most suitable for you.
Physiotherapy techniques include:
· Mobilisation— Small to large repetitive movements aimed towards improving joint mobility and decreasing pain (This may extend to other parts of the body beyond the neck if the pain is related).
· Stretching— Also known as proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation or PNF, stretching uses the muscular system to decrease tension in the neck and improve structural positioning.
· Deep tissue massage— This type of massage aims to improve blood flow in and to the neck and is much deeper than a relaxation massage.
· Electrotherapy— 4 pole interferential and therapeutic ultrasound aims to improve blood flow and help the body through its natural healing response.
· Shockwave therapy— A non-invasive form of therapy that uses sound waves to interact with tissues in the neck in an effort to restore functionality and relieve pain.
· Targeted exercise programs— To increase neck strength.
· Pain management including ice and/or heat.
· Postural analysis.
· Ergonomic advice— Such as setting up your workplace so that you don’t strain your neck while working.
· Stress management.
· Lifestyle advice.
Can I Manage Neck Pain At Home?
If your neck pain is caused by strain such as a poor ergonomic set-up or by straining your neck to see your phone, your neck pain may be able to be managed at home. You may wish to try:
· Exercises such as head rotations, chin tucks, or shoulder shrugs.
· Rearranging your work set-up to be more ergonomic so you place less stress on your neck.
· Exercising regularly.
· Lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking.
· Changing your sleep posture and evaluating if your mattress and/or pillow are contributing to your pain.
If your pain persists, see a physiotherapist for an assessment and further treatment if necessary.
Should I See A Physiotherapist For My Neck Pain?
If your neck pain is impacting your life, physiotherapy may be a good option for you. You may want to consider physiotherapy for neck pain if you:
· Have unspecified chronic pain— If your neck pain lingers or keeps coming back, with or without a specific diagnosis.
· Are recovering from an injury— Neck injuries can occur due to car accidents and sporting collisions, to name a few. Whiplash in particular may damage the neck’s soft tissues and joints, leading to pain and/or stiffness.
· Are recovering from surgery— Some surgeries performed on or near the neck may contribute to pain and stiffness in the weeks or months following surgery, which physiotherapy may be able to assist with.
· Have a disease or chronic condition that may benefit from physiotherapy— Physiotherapy is not always suitable for every disease or chronic condition that causes neck pain, but in some cases, it may be. Speak with your doctor if you’re unsure.
Looking For Physiotherapy For Neck Pain?
Neck pain doesn’t have to remain a constant in your life. At Whole Body Clinic we’re dedicated to helping people wherever and however possible through physiotherapy and other services such as osteopathy. If you’re experiencing neck pain and believe physiotherapy may be a good option for you, we’d love to see you in our Mount Gravatt, Browns Plains, or Park Ridge clinics. To make an appointment, contact our professional and friendly team today.
