By Dr Daniel Grey, chiropractor at Thrive Wellness Centre
Neck pain is the leading cause of disability in adults, with 20% of adults experiencing debilitating neck pain throughout their life. Most causes of neck pain are usually benign, occurring from degeneration, injury/trauma, stress/anxiety, and overuse/repetitive strain/poor posture. Neck pain can have a variety of symptoms depending on what structure is affected.
Common structures causing neck pain:
- Spinal joints (facet joints)
- Vertebral discs
- Muscle and tendons
- Ligaments
Common symptoms include:
- Ache at the base of skull and/or in the tops of the shoulders
- Headache
- Pain with head movement
- Pain from the neck going into arms
- General feeling of neck and shoulder tightness
- Reduced range of movement
Management
The first phase of management is pain relief. Gentle massage, distraction and gentle adjustments (if tolerated) in combination with some minor postural corrections are generally effective in reducing the initial pain and discomfort.
Once the pain level is controlled, the next phase of management is improving function (movement, strength) to decrease the likelihood of the neck pain returning. Functional improvement is best achieved through guided self-management (exercises, stretching, correct posture) in combination with less frequent hands-on treatment.
Dr Daniel Grey is a chiropractor here at Thrive Wellness Centre. Click here to book an appointment with him or one of our other chiropractors.
All of our friendly practitioners work evenings and/or weekends to assist making and attending appointments that little bit easier for you. For any queries, please contact our office on (08) 9478 3869.
Other chiropractic articles:
Common Misconceptions About Low Back Pain by Dr Daniel Grey, Thrive Wellness Centre Chiropractor
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