Neck Pain

What It Is
Tension headaches occur when tight muscles and stiff joints in the neck put pressure on the nerves that travel to the temples and forehead. These headaches are often linked to poor posture, stress, or prolonged periods of sitting, such as working at a desk. They can also develop following whiplash or other neck injuries, leading to persistent discomfort and recurring headaches.

How Physiotherapy Can Help
Physiotherapy addresses both the symptoms and the underlying causes of tension headaches. Treatments include:

• Manual Therapy: To release tight muscles and improve joint mobility in the neck, reducing pressure on the nerves.
• Postural Education: Teaching you how to maintain better posture at work and during daily activities to prevent strain.
• Strengthening Exercises: To build strength in the neck and upper back, providing long-term relief and preventing recurrence.
• Stretching and Mobility Work: To relieve stiffness and improve flexibility in the neck and shoulders.

What It Is
Facet syndrome occurs when the small joints in the spine, called facet joints, become irritated or inflamed. These joints provide stability and enable movement in the neck, but repetitive stress, poor posture, or sudden movements can cause discomfort. A common symptom of facet syndrome is difficulty turning or bending your head to one side, often accompanied by sharp or aching pain. This pain may also radiate to the shoulders or upper back, and certain movements like looking up can make it worse.

How Physiotherapy Can Help
Physiotherapy helps relieve pain and restore neck mobility with a variety of treatments, including:

• Manual Therapy: To improve movement in the facet joints, reduce stiffness, and alleviate discomfort.
• Postural Education: Guidance on maintaining proper posture to minimize stress on the neck and prevent further irritation.
• Targeted Strengthening Exercises: To support the neck and upper back, reducing strain on the facet joints.
• Stretching and Mobility Work: To improve flexibility and relieve tension in the surrounding muscles.
• Activity Modifications: Advice on avoiding positions or activities that may aggravate symptoms while promoting recovery.

What It Is
Cervical disc injuries involve damage to the discs that sit between the vertebrae in your neck. These discs act as cushions, absorbing shock and allowing smooth movement of the spine. Common injuries include disc degeneration, bulges, or herniations, which may result from aging, repetitive stress, or trauma such as a car accident or fall. Symptoms often include neck pain, stiffness, and limited mobility. In more severe cases, disc injuries can press on nearby nerves, causing radiating pain, numbness, or tingling in the shoulders, arms, or hands.

How Physiotherapy Can Help
Physiotherapy focuses on relieving pain, restoring mobility, and reducing pressure on the injured disc. Treatments include:

• Mckenzie Method (Repeated Movements): To alleviate pressure on the disc and improve spinal alignment through specific guided movements.
• Manual Therapy: To reduce stiffness, improve joint mobility, and address compensatory issues.
• Traction Therapy: To gently stretch the spine, creating space and reducing pressure on the discs.
• Strengthening Exercises: To support the neck and upper back, helping to stabilize the spine and reduce future strain on the discs.
• Postural Training: To correct alignment and reduce stress on the neck during daily activities.

What It Is
Cervical radiculopathy, often called a “pinched nerve,” occurs when a nerve root in the neck becomes compressed or irritated. This is commonly caused by a herniated disc, bone spurs, or inflammation. Symptoms include sharp or radiating pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness that travels from the neck into the shoulder, arm, or hand. Movements like turning the head or looking up often worsen the symptoms, making daily tasks difficult.

How Physiotherapy Can Help
The initial goal of physiotherapy is to alleviate pressure on the nerve and reduce irritation. Once swelling and symptoms settle, the focus shifts to strengthening and improving posture to prevent recurrence. Treatments include:

• Traction Therapy: To gently create space in the spine, reducing pressure on the nerve root.
• Mckenzie Method (Repeated Movements): To relieve nerve compression and improve neck mobility with guided exercises.
• Manual Therapy: To reduce tension in surrounding tissues, improve joint mobility, and ease nerve irritation.
• Nerve Gliding Exercises: To improve nerve mobility and reduce tingling, numbness, or discomfort.
• Strengthening and Postural Training: To build neck and upper back strength, improving alignment and reducing strain on the nerve.
• Activity Modifications: Guidance on avoiding movements or postures that could aggravate the nerve while promoting safe recovery.

What It Is
Cervical spondylosis, often called arthritis of the neck, is a degenerative condition caused by wear and tear of the joints, discs, and bones in the cervical spine. This condition commonly develops with age and can lead to stiffness, chronic neck pain, and reduced mobility. In some cases, cervical spondylosis may compress nearby nerves, causing symptoms like pain, numbness, or tingling that radiates into the arms or hands.

How Physiotherapy Can Help
Physiotherapy helps manage symptoms and improve neck function through:

• Manual Therapy: To mobilize stiff joints, reduce discomfort, and restore range of motion.
• Traction: To create space in the spine and reduce pressure on nerves.
• Stretching and Strengthening Exercises: To enhance flexibility and build strength in the neck and upper back, supporting better alignment.
• Postural Education: To reduce strain on the cervical spine during daily activities.

What It Is
Thoracic outlet syndrome occurs when nerves or blood vessels in the area between the collarbone and first rib (the thoracic outlet) are compressed. This compression can lead to neck pain, as well as numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arm and hand. It often results from poor posture, repetitive movements, or trauma to the neck and shoulder area.

How Physiotherapy Can Help
Physiotherapy aims to reduce compression and restore function with:

• Manual Therapy: To release tight muscles and improve mobility in the neck and shoulders.
• Stretching and Strengthening Exercises: To address muscle imbalances and improve posture.
• Postural Training: To prevent further compression by correcting alignment during daily activities.
• Nerve Gliding Exercises: To reduce irritation and improve nerve mobility.