The Most Common Causes Of Neck Pain

Many people fear spine pain more than any other type of pain in their bodies. Necks and backs can be incredibly vulnerable and an understandable cause for concern when you start to experience pain there. Some of the symptoms that are associated with neck pain include numbness, tenderness, difficulty swallowing, dizziness, pulsations and gland swelling. It can also be associated with facial pain, headache, arm numbness and shoulder painThe Most Common Causes of Neck PainThe primary causes of pain in the neck - sprains and strains - heal within weeks, sometimes days but caution is advised if the symptoms should persist. A strain occurs when a tendon or muscle is irritated because of overuse or over-extension (hyper extension). Similarly, a sprain occurs when a ligament is annoyed by over-extension or overuse. Neck strains and injuries can be caused by the following;Sleeping in an awkward positionPain in the neck can occur when a person sleeps in an area that overextends the neck for prolonged periods of time, thus causing pain. This is probably the most common cause and can correct itself but may require some additional treatment dependent on the severity, a few sessions with an osteopath can ease the pain and advise on better sleeping practices.Sports InjuryA player can move unusually when engaging in sports activities resulting in injury. Any sports injury concerning the neck or back should be treated carefully and with caution. What might seem minor at the time is always worth further investigation to assess the full extent of the injury.Poor PostureWhether it’s at home, commuting or whilst sat at your desk at work, poor posture can cause people serious long term problems which may manifest themselves beyond simple neck or back pain. If your head is always tilted forward for long periods of time, then your neck muscles, ligaments, and tendons are required to work overtime.Poor posture can cause problems with the way you walk and start to impact on other areas of the body such as the hips and knees. Ensuring you take time to adopt a good posture could save you a lot of heartache and pain.Repetitive motionsTurning your head repetitively, commonly experienced whilst swimming or dancing for example, may cause your neck muscles, ligaments and tendons to be overused leading to pain your neck. Appropriate stretching and warm down routines can and will help, don't skimp when it comes to limbering up!WhiplashThis is where your neck and head are pushed suddenly backward leading to the rupturing of soft tissues in your throat. This mostly occurs when two cars have a rear-end collision.This can be excruciating and be felt in the long term, sometimes even years. We would always recommend visiting a health professional to assess the damage properly and advise a best course of action.Emotional StressSometimes muscles in your neck ache and tightens up when responding to anxiety, stress or depression. Taking time to relax has more than just cognitive benefits, if you struggle to unwind the deep tissue massage and osteopathy can help.InfectionIf any part of your cervical spine is infected, then that inflammation causes pain in your neck. If you even have the slightest inclination that this could be the cause of your pain then don't wait around for it to rectify itself. Failure to act quickly could cause a lot more issues, don't hesitate to get yourself checked out!How Osteopathy Can Reduce Your Neck PainOsteopathy is a non-invasive, drug-free therapy with the objective to improve all body systems by strengthening and manipulating the body muscles.An Osteopath will focus on muscles, joints, and spine. This treatment aims to improve the lymphatic, circulatory and nervous system. Osteopaths take a whole-body approach to health care. They use manual techniques to correct bio-mechanics and enhance the circulation of blood in the body without using drugs. They use their hands to balance all your body systems to boost your well-being and health.The common techniques that Osteopaths use when treating neck pain include stretching, resistance, and gentle pressure. They use various manual approaches to resolve and reduce strains, dysfunction, and stress in all parts of the body.Osteopathy removes restrictions to biochemical, neural and vascular mechanisms thus promoting the overall health of the body. Each Osteopathy treatment goes beyond reducing shoulder and neck pain.If you are experiencing neck pain that has disturbed you for more than six weeks, then you need to book an appointment with an Osteopath. We are experienced Osteopaths who will guide you on how to manage your movements and posture to ensure that your neck pain does not return in future.Contact us to book your appointment today!