Neck Pain
The neck carries the weight of the head all day while allowing multidirectional movement.
Neck pain can be associated with tight muscles caused by poor posture, or sudden injuries may occur from whip lash or sleeping badly. Although chiropractors are notorious for adjusting the joints in the neck, which can be beneficial, often the primary pain generators are the muscles that have become tight and painful. In these cases working through the involved muscles would be the best strategy.
If the neck has felt stiffer over the past few months or one side of the neck in particular suffers from discomfort, then an analysis of what is happening below the neck should be done. Posture, shoulder injuries, stress, structural asymmetries, poor core stability, and mechanical imbalances can all contribute toward neck pain.
Neck related Conditions
Cervicogenic (cervico 'neck', genic 'origin') Headaches (caused by muscular or joint dysfunction of the neck).
Migraines.
Whiplash.
Cervical Spondylosis (degeneration of the joints in the neck).
Cervical Facet Syndrome / Meniscoid (sprain of the facet joint).
Discogenic Pain Syndrome.
Techniques Frequently Used
Myofascial release (the releasing actively or passively of the soft tissues contributing toward the problem).
Spinal Manipulative Therapy in the neck for improved joint function.
Functional analysis and correction of what is happening below the neck.
Postural and ergonomic advice.
Home exercises.
