Osteopathy for Neck Pain

Osteopathy for neck pain

Neck pain is a prevalent condition affecting millions of people worldwide. According to recent studies, approximately 30% of adults experience neck pain at some point in their lives. This discomfort can arise from various factors, including lifestyle choices, stress, lack of movement and injuries. Early intervention and proper care are crucial in managing neck pain effectively.

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Common causes of neck pain

  1. Muscle Strain: Poor posture, prolonged computer use, or sleeping in an awkward position can lead to muscle tension.

  2. Injuries: Whiplash from car accidents or sports injuries can cause acute neck pain.

  3. Degenerative Disc Disease: Age-related wear and tear can result in disc degeneration, leading to pain and stiffness.

  4. Herniated Discs: Discs that bulge or rupture can put pressure on spinal nerves, causing pain.

  5. Osteoarthritis: This degenerative joint disease can lead to stifness, pain and reduced range of motion.

  6. Stress and Tension: Emotional stress can lead to muscle tightness and discomfort in the neck.

Common symptoms of neck pain

Individuals experiencing neck pain may notice a variety of symptoms, including:

  • Persistent pain or stiffness in the neck

  • Limited range of motion

  • Headaches originating from the neck

  • Pain that radiates into the shoulders or arms

  • Tingling or numbness in the arms or hands

  • Muscle spasms or tightness

As one of the leading Osteopaths of Box Hill, we treat patients with headaches, neck pain and tension which can sometimes cause people to have trouble with sleeping or working

3 Osteopathic tips for neck pain 

  1. Have regular breaks at work to give those neck muscles a rest. It is recommended you have a short break every 30-60 mins.

  2. Understand that neck pain is often associated with increased stress levels, so ensure you manage your stressors in a healthy way.

  3. Strengthening your neck muscles has been shown to provide greater long term relief (Ylinen et al., 2003) – for more information read our blog on how to become stronger in sitting postures.

Osteopaths may be able to relieve your pains with hands-on treatment. Treatment can consist of but is not limited to soft tissue massage, joint mobilisation, joint manipulation and dry needling.

Additionally, as emerging research is showing the relationship between increased stress, low moods and poor sleep with neck pain, your osteopath may be able to help you identify stress triggers which will allow you to better manage yourself.

Lastly, an Osteopath can guide and support you through your aches and pains. We can work with you to identify any triggering positions or actions you may be placing on the neck and work out solutions on how to work around it.

Whilst it can also be good to rest your neck initially, gentle stretching and doing strength training builds resilience in your tissues and is shown to provide longer term relief.