Treatments
NECK PAIN
Neck pain is often caused by how we use our necks and may occur in people of all ages.
It may be caused by prolonged computer use, driving long distances, tiredness, stress and poor posture when sitting or standing or lying in bed. These factors can cause the muscles in the neck and upper back to become tight and the joints to become stiff or compressed.
A nerve in your neck may become irritated or “trapped” causing pain in the neck that may radiate into the shoulder, shoulder blade, arm or hand, sometimes accompanied by pins and needles or numbness.
Some headaches can be the result of tension or stiffness in the neck and upper back.
Osteoarthritis or wear and tear in the neck can cause stiffness and muscular pain from the neck into the shoulder.
How Osteopathy can help with Neck Pain
At Chapel Place Osteopaths we use a wide range of gentle techniques depending on your age, general health, fitness and diagnosis to reduce muscle tension and pain and improve joint movement in the neck and upper back. We may gently massage the soft tissues or rhythmically “rock” joints to release tension and sometimes we might gently manipulate the neck to free up joint movement, when you may hear a “click”. If appropriate we sometimes we use medical acupuncture to reduce pain and muscle tension.
Treatment is different for every individual and will be explained and agreed with you to ensure you are either comfortable with the techniques being suggested or perhaps happier with a choice of alternative approaches.
We offer advice on posture at work or in the car and give advice on exercise and stretching to help keep your neck and upper back muscles and joints relaxed. We also provide advice on how to relax and manage stress.
X-rays, scans and other tests are sometimes required to make a diagnosis so at Chapel Place Osteopaths we may refer to your GP or a specialist for any additional investigations or treatment.
Useful web links:
Arthritis Resrearch UK https://www.versusarthritis.org/