Neck Pain
The neck is like a small thin stork with a big heavy ball (your head) on the top of it, with some muscles trying to hold it up. Not a good recipe is it? When we are sitting perfectly upright the forces around the neck are small. The more we lean or slouch forward the bigger they get. It doesn’t take long for muscles and joints to get tired and sore.
Having to sit for long periods looking at a phone screen, or at a computer or in a car can cause your neck muscles to tire and the joints and muscles to get sore. Regular breaks to allow them to move and get some rest are a great way to help manage your neck pain. If that doesn’t work then coming to see an expert therapist will help you with your posture, reduce your pain and relax your muscles.
Whiplash
Whiplash is caused when the head is thrown forward and back in a rapid and forceful motion. It commonly occurs if you are driving and struck by another car from behind. You can get it from a fall that doesn’t involve being in a car.
Through electrical measurement of muscle activity we understand the way muscles of the neck switch off when there is pain from whiplash. Restoring the function and balance of the muscles is crucial to reducing neck pain. Your therapist should give you an individualised exercise programme when treating your neck to help you get better as quickly as possible. They should also put their hands on you to help heal your damaged or sore muscles. If they are not doing these two things they are not doing proper physiotherapy.
Neck and Back Work Together
Neck pain can be made worse by imbalances in the low back and pelvis. The pelvis is likened to the foundation on which the rest of the upper body moves. If it‘s “out” then the muscles and joints above it will be thrown out of kilter and can get tired and sore. Sometimes treating your neck involves treating your back!
If your neck pain is getting you down come and see one of our experts. Physiotherapy has great results when treating neck pain. A Thamesway expert will be able to treat your neck with a big variety of techniques from gentle pressing to strong manipulation and even acupuncture. Contact us below.
Headache
When we get pain in the foot it’s a long way away and you can handle it a bit more easily. With headache it’s right up there in your face, up close and far too personal. Most headaches are caused by problems in the neck. Joints, muscles, ligaments and discs in the neck can all refer pain into the head, face, ears and even behind the eyes.
When a headache has visual disturbance, irritation by sound or light and forces the need to rest it is often a migraine. Tablets can help, but if there is a part that’s coming from the neck it will usually need treatment before things improve.
At Thamesway our expert therapists can diagnose and treat most types of neck related headache with spinal manipulation, muscle release, acupuncture and specific neck exercises.
If you have a headache that won’t go away with tablets or just rest contact us at Thamesway Physio. We will be able to give you an accurate diagnosis so you will know exactly what is causing your headache and a treatment plan so you know what to do about it. Contact us below so we can help you get rid of those awful headaches.