Neck Pain: Common Causes, Relief, and How Osteopathy Can Help
Neck pain is an incredibly common experience that most of us will face at some point. While often dismissed as a minor annoyance, persistent neck pain can significantly impact your daily life, from turning your head to drive to getting a good night's sleep.
Osteopathy takes a holistic (whole-body) approach to neck pain, looking beyond the symptom to find and treat the underlying cause. This blog will explore the common reasons for neck pain, when to seek help, and how osteopathic treatment can offer a solution.
Key Facts About Neck Pain
Prevalence: Neck pain is a major musculoskeletal disorder, with studies suggesting its lifetime prevalence could be as high as 70% in industrialised nations.
Impact: It is a leading cause of disability worldwide, affecting work productivity and quality of life.
Recurrence: Neck pain has a high rate of recurrence, meaning without addressing the root cause, it is likely to come back.
Common Causes of Neck Pain
Understanding what’s causing your pain is the first step toward effective treatment. Common causes include:
Muscle Strains and Tension: Often related to poor posture (e.g., prolonged computer or phone use, often called "tech neck"), sleeping in an awkward position, or sudden, jerking movements.
Joint Wear and Tear (Osteoarthritis): Like all joints, the facet joints (connecting each vertebrae) in the neck can wear down over time, leading to stiffness and pain.
Nerve Compression: A herniated or bulging disc or bone spurs from vertebrae can press on nerves branching out from the spinal cord, causing pain that may radiate into the shoulder or arm (often referred to as radiculopathy).
Whiplash-Associated Disorders: This is a common injury from motor vehicle accidents or contact sports, involving a rapid back-and-forth motion of the neck that strains the soft tissues.
Underlying Health Conditions: In some cases, neck pain can be related to other health issues like rheumatoid arthritis or meningitis.
How Can Osteopathy Help with Neck Pain?
Osteopathic treatment is patient-centred. We don’t just focus on the site of the pain; we investigate the entire musculoskeletal system to find out why it’s happening.
During your initial consultation, we will:
Take a detailed history to understand the nature of your pain, your daily activities, and any past injuries.
Conduct a thorough physical examination of your posture, neck, mid back, and shoulder mobility.
Assess your movement to identify areas of restriction, muscle imbalance, or joint dysfunction.
The goal is to create a tailored treatment plan that addresses your specific needs.
What Does Osteopathic Treatment Involve?
Using a range of gentle, hands-on techniques, we aim to:
Reduce muscle tension and relax tight muscles with soft tissue massage, stretching, and dry needling techniques.
Improve joint mobility in the neck and upper back using gentle articulation and manipulation to restore normal movement.
Enhance blood flow and nervous system function to the area, supporting the body’s natural healing processes.
Provide personalised advice on ergonomics, posture, strengthening exercises, and stretches to help you manage your recovery and prevent future issues.
When to Seek Immediate Medical Help
While most neck pain is musculoskeletal and benign, it can sometimes be a sign of a more serious condition. Please seek urgent medical attention if your neck pain:
Is accompanied by severe pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness radiating down your arms or legs.
Follows a major trauma, such as a car accident or a fall.
Is associated with a loss of bladder or bowel control (a sign of cauda equina syndrome).
Is accompanied by a severe headache, fever, or light sensitivity (signs of meningitis).
Is getting progressively worse despite rest.
Take the Next Step Towards a Pain-Free Neck
Living with neck pain doesn't have to be your normal. If you’re ready to move beyond temporary fixes and address the root cause of your discomfort, osteopathy offers a safe, effective, and drug-free path to recovery.
Click here to schedule an appointment at Nudge Osteopathy. Let’s work together to restore your movement and get you back to living pain-free.
References
1. Cohen, S. P. (2015). Epidemiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Neck Pain. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 90(2), 284–299. [Link: https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196(15)00010-0/fulltext]
2. Blanpied, P. R., et al. (2017). Neck Pain: Revision 2017. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 47(7), A1–A83. [Link: https://www.jospt.org/doi/10.2519/jospt.2017.0302]
3. World Health Organization (WHO). (2021). Musculoskeletal health. [Link: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/musculoskeletal-conditions]
Disclaimer: This blog post provides general information only and is not intended as a substitute for professional health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a registered health practitioner, such as your GP or osteopath, for diagnosis and treatment of health conditions. The references provided are for informational purposes and do not necessarily represent an endorsement of all views within them. Individual results from osteopathic treatment may vary.
