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 Neck pain is an extremely common and often a debilitating
condition. The neck is an extremely mobile structure and together with the
weight of the head makes it prone to various conditions. Neck pain can manifest
its way in many forms ranging from localized neck pain to referred arm and
shoulder blade pain.
What causes neck pain?
There can be many causes of neck pain. Some common causes
include:
- Hereditary predisposition.
- Posture at home or at work
- Type
of work performed
- Accident
and trauma
What structures
contribute to neck pain?
Neck pain is not simple condition and there can be a single
or often multiple structures that can often be the cause. It is often common that
even after imaging (X Ray, CT Scan, MRI), it can be difficult to pinpoint a
particular cause. This is often referred to as non-specific neck pain. Possible structures that can cause neck
pain include:
- Facet
joints. These are the joint in between your vertebrae.
- Disc.
This is the shock absorber of the spine and is situated between your
vertebrae. It takes up to 50% of the weight of your head which is
approximately 6 kg.
- Ligament
strain.
- Muscular
strain/weakness.
- Nerve
irritation.
How can treatment help
me?
In your initial consultation, your Musculoskeletal
Physiotherapist will take a thorough history, assess your posture, examine your
movements and conduct specific muscle and nerve tests to diagnose your problem.
They will then determine the most appropriate treatment for your condition. By
the end of your consultation, your Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist will have a
comprehensive understanding of your problem, and will work with you to develop
a clear action plan for future management. This plan will provide an estimate
of the number and frequency of treatments needed and will outline activities
for home and work to help resolve your problem, focusing on prevention.
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