Neck & Head Pain
The neck (Cervical Spine) consists of the seven bones and their discs, muscles, ligaments and other soft tissues.
The cervical spine is the most flexible part of the spine, normally moving freely in all directions. The neck supports the head with its important sense organs, eyes, ears and balance mechanism. The neck tries to keep these sense organs suitably level. The small muscles at the base of the skull are especially involved in monitoring the balance of the head.
The neck is usually the final spinal area for adaptations to altered posture lower down. For example, if there is a scoliosis (sideways curve) in the low or mid back, there is usually a counterbalancing curve in the neck. The cervical spine also gives attachment to the muscles that run from it down to the upper ribs and are active upon breathing in.
The neck is prone to the same disorders as other parts of the spine – muscle strains, joint disorders, disc lesions, ligament strains and degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis.
Often patients report to us that they have a trapped nerve in their neck. This is usually a descriptive term used by health professionals for a painful condition that can affect the neck and upper back. This presents as sharp pain on neck movement that feels like a nerve being trapped. In fact this is normally due to a joint condition. Consequently when you move the head you also move the joint and feel a sharp stab of pain.
Osteopaths see patients with neck pain or aches, neck stiffness, or pain.
Like all spinal pain, neck pain can vary from a mild stiffness with muscle aching, to an intensely painful condition with a temporary loss of some and occasionally, all, head movement. Pain may arise from sleeping awkwardly, excessive computer use, poor posture, sports injuries, whiplash or wear and tear.
Your osteopath will ask you all about the pain and how it started. Do you have any pain elsewhere? Any headaches, any dizziness? Your osteopath can work directly with your muscles and joints to improve function. The rest of your back could also be involved. As a result it is not unusual to spend time treating your upper and lower back to help alleviate neck pain.
- Get an accurate diagnosis
- Get a speedy appointment
- Get out of pain
The neck (Cervical Spine) consists of the seven bones and their discs, muscles, ligaments and other soft tissues.
The cervical spine is the most flexible part of the spine, normally moving freely in all directions. The neck supports the head with its important sense organs, eyes, ears and balance mechanism. The neck tries to keep these sense organs suitably level. The small muscles at the base of the skull are especially involved in monitoring the balance of the head.
The neck is usually the final spinal area for adaptations to altered posture lower down. For example, if there is a scoliosis (sideways curve) in the low or mid back, there is usually a counterbalancing curve in the neck. The cervical spine also gives attachment to the muscles that run from it down to the upper ribs and are active upon breathing in.
The neck is prone to the same disorders as other parts of the spine – muscle strains, joint disorders, disc lesions, ligament strains and degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis.
Often patients report to us that they have a trapped nerve in their neck. This is usually a descriptive term used by health professionals for a painful condition that can affect the neck and upper back. This presents as sharp pain on neck movement that feels like a nerve being trapped. In fact this is normally due to a joint condition. Consequently when you move the head you also move the joint and feel a sharp stab of pain.
Osteopaths see patients with neck pain or aches, neck stiffness, or pain.
Like all spinal pain, neck pain can vary from a mild stiffness with muscle aching, to an intensely painful condition with a temporary loss of some and occasionally, all, head movement. Pain may arise from sleeping awkwardly, excessive computer use, poor posture, sports injuries, whiplash or wear and tear.
Your osteopath will ask you all about the pain and how it started. Do you have any pain elsewhere? Any headaches, any dizziness? Your osteopath can work directly with your muscles and joints to improve function. The rest of your back could also be involved. As a result it is not unusual to spend time treating your upper and lower back to help alleviate neck pain.