Happy October!
It is officially cozy sweater season! Fluff up that winter duvet and settle in with a hot cup of cocoa….. or something pumpkin spiced 😉
Today we are going to chat about neck pain and hopefully gain a better understand of the causes and available treatments.
If you have been dealing with neck pain, it’s important to know you’re not alone. Here you will find a quick guide to the different types of neck pain and how Physiotherapy can help. 🌟
First, let’s make sure we are all on the same page. There are different ‘types’ of neck pain which may allude to the cause of your discomfort.
Types of Neck Pain:
💥 Nerve-Related Pain (This is usually the worst kind of discomfort)
Cause: Compression or irritation of nerves in the cervical spine.
Symptoms: Radiating pain, numbness, or tingling in the arms or hands.
Myofascial Pain/ Muscular Pain
Cause: Trigger points or tight bands in the muscles and fascia of the neck.
Symptoms: Localized pain, muscle stiffness, and tender points.
Positional Pain
Cause: Poor posture or prolonged sitting in one position.
Symptoms: Aching or discomfort due to muscle strain or imbalance.
Whiplash
Cause: Sudden jerking motion of the head, often from car accidents.
Symptoms: Pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion in the neck.
There are different grades of Whiplash, Whiplash Associated Disorder or WAD for short, described below. If you have ever been in a motor vehicle accident you may unfortunately be familiar with this scale already.
🔹 How Physiotherapy Can Help:
- Decompression Protocols: Techniques to relieve pressure on the cervical spine and nerves.
- Postural Exercises: Strengthen and balance neck and upper back muscles to improve posture and reduce strain.
- Gentle Movement: Encourage gradual, controlled movements to restore flexibility and reduce stiffness.
- Stretching: Target specific muscles to alleviate tightness and improve range of motion.
With the right approach, Physiotherapy can help you manage neck pain and get back to feeling your best. 🧘♀️💪
We are here if you have any additional questions. Please reach out if you need assistance along your healing journey.
Warm regards,
-Ash
