Home : Conditions : Region : Neck Pain, Stiffness & Injury
Neck Pain, Stiffness & Injury

Neck pain or stiffness can affect your life in so many different ways. Whether it be sharp pain, dull muscular aches, headaches, or an inability to fully move your head, neck pain can be very frustrating yet it's simple to fix in the majority of cases.
What Causes Neck Pain?

Commonly we find that neck joints become stiff or locked much like a rusty hinge. This in turn usually causes protective muscle spasm of some neck/shoulder muscles and weakness of others. The longer this abnormal scenario exists, the harder it is to reverse the habit. Your posture alters, which strains adjacent joints and muscles, and the condition cyclically deteriorates.
The interesting thing about necks is that one stiff joint or one weak or tight muscle can have a dramatic effect if not fixed quickly. We often see patients who have unsuccessfully tried various treatment techniques. What we normally find it that it is a combination of joint, muscle stretching, massage, acupuncture, neural tissue, strength exercise and postural techniques that are required to reverse some well established poor habits.
Contact PhysioWorks or Book Online
Why Do Things Tend To Deteriorate?

The human body is incredibly talented and will adjust itself so that other joints or muscles move further or work harder than they should. While this is usually okay on the short term it's devastating in the long term.
Unfortunately the result is often chronic pain and stiffness, headaches or even tension type migraine.
Luckily, there is a very quick, extremely safe and long-term solution. And it's waiting for you at PhysioWorks.
Your physiotherapist is highly skilled at the diagnosis and treatment of mechanical neck pain. The old days of having to crack a joint to reposition it are virtually gone; along with the safety concerns! You'll notice that even chiropractors are starting to promote the "gentle" techniques that physiotherapists have offered as a part of their treatment protocols for decades.
However, we understand that neck pain is not solely about joints and not solely about muscles. There is a whole gambit of information that your physiotherapist will analyse and correct if needed to resolve your individual problem.
New research has shown that a combination of joint and muscle treatment performed by your physiotherapist and some specific strengthening exercises are an effective way to eliminate your neck symptoms and headaches. The good news is that you can also reduce your chances of pain returning significantly if you do the right thing quickly.
Please contact us for more specific advice on your neck condition.
Contact PhysioWorks or Book Online

Common Neck Pain or Injuries
Contact PhysioWorks or Book Online
Common Neck Pain Treatments

If you are in severe pain or you cannot move your neck through its
normal range, it is best to commence treatment straight away. Your
physiotherapist has numerous tricks that can help to quickly relieve
your pain and muscle spasm. Long-term stiffness can be treated
effectively at any time. If you are not sure what to do, please call
us for advice. We'll happily guide you in your time of need.
Research tells us that symptoms lasting longer than three months become
habitual and are much harder to solve. The sooner you get on top of
your symptoms the better your outcome.
Contact PhysioWorks or Book Online
FAQs about your Neck Pain
Contact PhysioWorks or Book Online
Neck Pain Can Cause Headache

Researchers
have found that 1 in 4 headaches originate from the neck joints and
muscles. These headaches are known as cervicogenic headaches and can be
effectively diagnosed and treated by your physiotherapist.
More Information about Headaches and Migraines
What about Neck Arthritis?
Neck joints can prematurely become arthritic through neglect. The good
news is that you can do something about slowing down the deterioration
even if it's already present on x-ray.
The 3 Main Reasons Why You Develop Neck Arthritis
- Previous trauma. eg whiplash (traumatic), poor posture (cumulative micro-injuries)
- Stiff joints (lack of movement diminishes joint nutrition)
- Loose joints (excessive sloppiness causes joint damage through poor control)
More information about Arthritis
Contact PhysioWorks or Book Online
Does Glucosamine Actually Help Arthritis?

Yes! Finally, a new natural product known as glucosamine has been
found to effectively reduce your arthritic pain and it actually appears to slow
the disease progression. The great news is that is has virtually no
side effects other than for people with shellfish allergies.
More information about Glucosamine
Contact PhysioWorks or Book Online
When Should You Use a Neck Collar?
A neck collar is not recommended in most non-traumatic injuries as the
collar encourages muscle weakness. However, in severe neck spasm
conditions such as wry neck or whiplash, a collar is often useful in the first week to assist with muscle
relaxation.
Please ask your physiotherapist for specific advice.
Contact PhysioWorks or Book Online
Does a Posture Brace Help Neck Pain?
Posture support braces have improved over the years with new designs
being very effective in building awareness of what the correct posture
actually is. This is great for teenagers, the elderly or those using
computers.
There are various posture braces available. You can find more information about posture braces via our online shop.
Helpful Products for Neck Pain

Contact PhysioWorks or Book Online

|