Neck Pain

Neck pain can be a problem for many of us. Often it is something we live with and only when it becomes unbearable do we seek help. The neck or cervical spine is a complex structure made up of 7 cervical vertebrae.

The vertebra rest above each other and they move from the facet joints. Pain in the neck can be caused by muscles, joints, discs or nerves.

Muscular pain can be very limiting and often people describe having a neck headache. The neck muscles can hold a lot of tension as they are postural muscles, they also assist in breathing and therefore can be linked to stress.

Getting a massage on the neck and shoulders may relieve pain in the neck if it is related to muscle tension.

Disc and joint pain in the neck cannot easily be distinguished. They can both also cause pain that can radiate in to the shoulder and down in between the shoulder blades. Neck joints can change over the years making them more susceptible to injury. Keeping the neck moving can help but also keeping the mid back moving can take some pressure off the neck. Pilates is a good exercise to keep moving.

If you are experiencing any arm pain/ shoulder blade pain and have associated clamminess or a mix of symptoms it is important you get the all clear from your GP. Also, if you have sudden weakness in the hands, clumbsiness of the fingers, dropping things then please seek a medical opinion.

Nerve pain can present as searing pain travelling ­­down the arm and into the hand. The pain is intense and worse at night. If a nerve is irritated then it will present as pain, if a nerve is compressed it will present as numbness, pins and needles and sometimes weakness in the hand or arm. It is important that you get an assessment with any of these symptoms and discuss the best options to help you through this painful period.

At JYphysiotherapy we look at the whole picture, areas that maybe aggravating your neck, positions that may not be helping such as work station, driving or sleeping.

Manual therapy can help give you some pain relief to allow you to get on top of the things that may be aggravating your neck.

We offer ergonomic advice as well as advice on pillows, and exercises that will help to maintain your neck health, which is key to any successful outcome.

We also work closely with Orthopaedic surgeons and GPs if other medical pathways need to be explored.