Neck Pain
In order for the neck (or cervical spine) to be such a flexible area of the body, its structure is particularly unstable. As it serves as a connection from the head to the body the causes of neck pain are numerous and usually very complex. Often it is accompanied by headaches and/or shoulder and arm pain. It is also common for neck problems to present with headaches and upper limb pain without any pain in the neck. This is due to the huge amount of nerves leaving the cervical spine supplying these areas.
Muscular causes of cervical pain are common, many people hold their life stresses within the tissues of this area which can cause the muscles to become stiff and often you can feel yourself that they appear “rope like”. Other muscular causes are injury, the most common being whiplash from a road traffic accident. This can also have a huge impact of the ligaments within the neck (see article on Whiplash Injuries). There are also many other causes, for example, sleeping awkwardly or prolonged computer use.
Apart from the muscular causes of cervical pain, there are also some common serious causes;
Osteoarthritis – as the neck is a very mobile area of the body, it is prone to this common joint disorder. See the article on Arthritis for more details.
Stenosis – this is when a reduction in space between bones of the neck causes the space where the nerves run to be reduced, subsequently compressing the nerves themselves. Stenosis may cause neck, shoulder, and arm pain and numbness when these nerves are unable to function normally.
Degenerative disc disease (DDD) can cause the intervertebral discs to decreased in elasticity and height. Over time a disc may bulge or herniate, causing pain that runs into the arm, tingling, and numbness.
In addition, there are many more other potential causes of neck pain, which is why it is best to seek help and advice from an osteopath, who is trained to exam, diagnose and treat these conditions. If after the examination the osteopath believes that the cause is more sinister then they will refer the patient for further investigations.
To find an osteopath in your area, follow the link below:
Neck Pain
Muscular causes of cervical pain are common, many people hold their life stresses within the tissues of this area which can cause the muscles to become stiff and often you can feel yourself that they appear “rope like”. Other muscular causes are injury, the most common being whiplash from a road traffic accident. This can also have a huge impact of the ligaments within the neck (see article on Whiplash Injuries). There are also many other causes, for example, sleeping awkwardly or prolonged computer use.
Apart from the muscular causes of cervical pain, there are also some common serious causes;
Osteoarthritis – as the neck is a very mobile area of the body, it is prone to this common joint disorder. See the article on Arthritis for more details.
Stenosis – this is when a reduction in space between bones of the neck causes the space where the nerves run to be reduced, subsequently compressing the nerves themselves. Stenosis may cause neck, shoulder, and arm pain and numbness when these nerves are unable to function normally.
Degenerative disc disease (DDD) can cause the intervertebral discs to decreased in elasticity and height. Over time a disc may bulge or herniate, causing pain that runs into the arm, tingling, and numbness.
In addition, there are many more other potential causes of neck pain, which is why it is best to seek help and advice from an osteopath, who is trained to exam, diagnose and treat these conditions. If after the examination the osteopath believes that the cause is more sinister then they will refer the patient for further investigations.
To find an osteopath in your area, follow the link below:
Neck Pain
