Neck pain can be an uncomfortable experience for anyone and can be demotivating when it prevents you from moving freely. If left untreated, neck pain and stiffness can start to cause discomfort in other areas of your body. This can include your upper back, arms and shoulders, as well as causing headaches.
A bulging disc or worn out facet joints at the back of your spine can irritate nerve roots in your neck and can cause other symptoms, such as pins and needles, numbing feelings and weakness in your hands, arms and legs. Therefore, identifying the problem and seeking treatment can help to relieve your neck pain before it gets too uncomfortable for your body.
Common Causes
There are a series of common causes for neck pain, ranging from poor posture to sports injuries. If you are unsure of the reason behind your neck pain, consider the following:
- Muscle strain
- Whiplash
- Postural issues
- Stress, anxiety, depression
- Disc bulge or prolapse
- Osteoarthritis
- Awkward sleeping positions
- Prolonged computer use
- Long distance driving
- Accidents or sports injuries
Making sure you practice excellent posture can be a huge help in preventing neck pain. If you are working from home behind a desk for long hours, make adjustments to your set up. Ensure you have a supportive chair and that your desk and computer equipment are fixed at a comfortable height and distance from you.
How Osteopathy Can Help
Osteopathy can be helpful for a variety of muscle and joint issues, including neck pain.
When the joints in your upper back or neck feel restricted, nearby muscles can start to feel abnormally tight, making normal movement about a struggle. When seeking osteopathic treatment, your osteopath will work to realign tired neck and upper back muscles which have been overused. Following the treatment, you should feel more relaxed and less tight, while benefiting from neck and shoulder movements with significantly less pain.
The benefit of seeking help from an osteopath is that they will go one step further and guide you on how to prevent recurring neck pain. In particular, they will offer advice on how to maintain excellent posture and how to improve your movement habits.
Booking Osteopathic Treatment for Neck Pain
Just like any other pain, neck pain can have an effect on your daily life if it becomes a persistent issue. If you have tried and tested a series of pain relief methods and are still in discomfort, consider osteopathic treatment.
To book an appointment with our team at Solihull Osteopathic Practice, please call 0121 705 4499.