Pain In The Neck And Physiotherapy



Oftentimes the most common source of pain comes from the neck due to static posture and movement faults.

Red Flags

There are times when we need to worry about the pain and there are times when we need to take that chill pill and not.

Seek immediate medical help if there was trauma (fall, motor vehicle accident, sports injury), as concussion has to be ruled out (signs of concussion: headache, neck rigidity, nausea, sleepiness and dilated eyes).

When there are other reasons to seek help is when:

  1. It has been more than 6 months of pain.
  2. It is getting worse rather than better over time.
  3. Pain, numbness, tingling or weakness is traveling from neck to shoulder(or down arm).
  4. Severe headaches
  5. Weight loss without trying to lose weight.
  6. Episodes of giddiness or nausea

(Brinjikji et al., 2015)

Imaging

Having a MRI or X-ray reading stating there are degenerative changes is NOT a worrisome sign as it is the “wear and tear” of aging. Many people with positive signs of degenerative changes in the spine show absolutely no symptoms of pain.

Signs of degenerative changes via imaging are never diagnostic on its own; a holistic screening involving history taking, pattern of pain, and special tests are done to understand the root of the pain.

Why do some people feel pain while other do not when imaging findings show the wear and tears? Each individual will perceive pain differently as pain is interpreted by the brain, it’s all in our head (see Pain article).

Crack, Snap, Pop

Often times there is cracking noise that comes from your spine and that noise is simply called “crepitus” (the popping, snapping, or grinding sound that goes with movement). Crepitus occurs in any moving joint in the body where lubrication from synovial fluid (the grease for our joints) goes through pressure changes and/or the ligaments or tendon is moving between the bones.

Medical literature states that frequent “cracking” of the neck done by individuals out of habit does NOT cause any increase in wear and tear changes.

For each crack, it takes another 20 minutes for the next crack to occur due to the pressure changes that take place (Unsworth, 1971 & Kawchuk, 2017).

When crepitus is accompanied with pain or loss of range of motion, this can present a problem that should be helped by physiotherapy. Most problems of the neck arise over time but also can be accelerated with whiplash or trauma.

Some musculoskeletal issues with the neck that can cause pain can be attributed to disc bulges that push on nerve root of the spinal cord, bone spurs that grow and impinge the nerve. Neck pain can start suddenly or can grow worse over weeks, months or accumulation over years due to poor movement patterns.

neck pain...when to See Physio?

If you have neck pain...when should you see a physiotherapist to treat it?

  1. Neck pain interferes with sleep or daily activities
  2. Pain or numbness going down arm (if pain is coming from a bulging disc or nerve irritation, the body has a “highway” system in how the pain travels depending on where the irritation is occurring)

Most of neck pain is due to:

  • Sleeping in wrong position or having a poor pillow. Proper pillows are hard to come by and that is why custom made pillows are a must and allows proper posture of the neck while at rest.
  • Poor movement whether work or home related activties of computer use, text neck with phone use, commuting to work, gardening and more activities that require holding the head in a prolonged static position.
  • Repeated loading such as dancing or swimming with head turns that can strain muscles and tendons.
  • Motor vehicle accident causing whiplash where the head and neck is suddenly forced in forward and backward motion with force.
  • Disc herniations that bulge and hit nerve roots (see diagram of neck pain that can cause pain to move into shoulder and hands).
  • Neck osteoarthritis that wears down neck bone cartilage preventing smooth movement and causing bone spurs to form that may impinge on neck nerve roots.
  • Neck foraminal stenosis occurs when the holes which the nerve roots branch off is narrowed and hence can cause pain in the nerves traveling through.

(Yang, 2015)

Physiotherapy for neck pain

Goals are to improve pain-free range of motion and return to daily activities.

Modification of stress, lifestyle and habits such as smoking that can contribute to pain will be discussed. Hands-on treatment is a must to reduce pain and proper exercise prescription as well as ergonomic advice is given.

Expect a few sessions to occur for the first weeks when there is a significant amount of pain.

Management of the pain is foremost before restoration of proper movement

References

About the Book: Do You Really Need Back Surgery? (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.backpain-guide.com/AboutBook.html

Brinjikji W, Luetmer PH, Comstock B, Bresnahan BW, Chen LE, Deyo RA, Halabi S, Turner JA, Avins AL, James K, Wald JT, Kallmes DF, Jarvik JG.

Systematic Literature Review of Imaging Features of Spinal Degeneration in Asymptomatic Populations. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2015 Apr;36(4):811–6. PubMed #25430861

Kawchuk GN, Fryer J, Jaremko JL, Zeng H, Rowe L, Thompson R. Real-Time Visualization of Joint Cavitation. PLoS ONE. 2015;10(4): e0119470. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0119470

Unsworth A, Dowson D, Wright V. ‘Cracking joints’ A bioengineering study of cavitation in the metacarpophalangeal joint. Ann Rheum Dis. 1971;30: 348-358.

Yang, Haiou PhD; Haldeman, Scott DC, MD, PhD; Nakata, Akinori PhD; Choi, BongKyoo ScD, MPH; Delp, Linda PhD, MPH; Baker, Dean MD, MPH. Work-related risk factors for neck pain in the US working population. Spine. 2015. 40(3):184-192.



Back to Top

book an appointment today
(or check your pains / injuries)

Phoenix Rehab Physio Services

Phoenix Rehab Group works with specialist physiotherapists and rehab therapists who are highly trained, qualified, experienced and passionate to provide high level of expert care to our patients.



HAND THERAPY & CUSTOMIZED SPLINTING

Patients who sustained injuries to their elbows, forearms, hands, wrists (sprains and fractures) and fingers, usually will benefit / require Hand Therapy to

  1. manage and decrease hand pains
  2. improve range of motion, strength and dexterity
  3. increase the function of their hand following injuries or post-operations

Commonly treated hand pain injuries includes



REFORMER CLINICAL PILATES & WELLNESS PILATES

Clinical Pilates is a form of physical exercise that focuses on posture, core stability, balance, control, strength, flexibility and breathing.

It is a system of safe and effective exercises, which meet specific individual needs, to treat a wide range of injuries and conditions.

You may do Pilates as matwork or with the reformer or both, and every session will be customized 100% to your fitness, injury and tolerance.



TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE (TCM)

  • Cupping TCM
  • Auricular Therapy TCM
  • Herbal TCM Medicine & Supplementation



DEEP TISSUE RELEASE & SPORTS MASSAGE THERAPY

Sports and deep tissue release massage helps to increase nutrient-rich blood flow to tired, tight and tense muscles to accelerate recovery and  shorten downtime / recovery period required.

It also prevents muscles from scar tissue micro-tears (and potential ruptures), and increases muscle performance. Having regular deep tissue and sports massage will keep your muscles healthy and fit with body/movement-confidence.

Read the benefits of regular deep tissue release therapy here.



ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES

All our allied health therapists and TCM physicians are fully insured and registered with Allied Health Professions Council (AHPC) and Traditional Chinese Medicine Board (TCMB).

See our entire team here with introductions and their specializations.

At the first session, our specialist physiotherapists will carry out a thorough assessment, helping them to select the most appropriate treatment to help you recover as well as provide treatment in the same session.

Follow up sessions are inline to provide expert treatment for your pain as well as prescribing specific exercises to reduce your risk of re-injury and giving you a long term solution.

do Tell Your Family, Friends And Colleagues About Us =)

We appreciate you as our valued clients and want you to know that the # 1 way we grow as a clinic / brand is through word of mouth referrals from valued patients like yourself.

We prefer not to rely on advertising - instead, we prefer and appreciate the goodwill and positive reinforcement from patients. When you have the chance, please tell your family, friends and physicians about the positive results and experience you have had in our physio clinics.

book an appointment today
(or check your pains / injuries)

Recent Articles

RSS

  1. Adele Ang Principal Physiotherapist Singapore

    Jun 29, 22 08:32 AM

    Adele is a registered physiotherapist with over 25 years of experience including treating national athletes as well as recreational athletes having worked in Singapore Sports Council and Singapore Spo…

    Read More

  2. Achilles Tendon Pain Physiotherapy

    Feb 03, 22 04:05 AM

    Achilles tendon pain is very common among recreational and elite sportspeople. But it is also common among sedentary individuals

    Read More

  3. Tendonitis Physiotherapy & Hand Therapy

    Feb 03, 22 12:16 AM

    Tendonitis, tendinopathy and tendinosis are all tendon injuries and treated by physiotherapists and hand therapists

    Read More

  4. Cervical Spondylosis Physiotherapy

    Jan 11, 22 02:01 AM

    Cervical spondylosis is a general term to describe the degenerative condition in the neck which results in pain and other symptoms

    Read More

  5. Tendon Pain Tendinopathy Physiotherapy

    Jan 07, 22 12:28 AM

    Tendinopathy (tendon injuries) can develop in any tendon of the body and has many names such as tendinitis and it can be treated with good tendon physiotherapy

    Read More

  6. The importance of staging and compression in tendinopathy physio

    Dec 15, 21 01:47 AM

    Tendon problems are common in runners and can become a persistent issue if not properly treated.

    Read More

  7. Tendon Pain Physiotherapy and Hand Therapy

    Dec 14, 21 11:23 PM

    Pain and pathology in a tendon, known as tendinopathy, is a common injury in athletes that can be difficult to manage. Physio and hand therapy can help healing

    Read More

  8. Tendon Injuries Physiotherapy, Hand Therapy, TCM & Massage

    Dec 07, 21 01:31 AM

    We use the world’s best tendon recovery programs through cutting edge treatment techniques for all tendon injuries (and tendon injuries differ accordingly)

    Read More

  9. Physiotherapy and Hand Therapy at Tampines Singapore

    Nov 28, 21 12:08 AM

    Phoenix Rehab Physiotherapy and Hand Therapy at Tampines Singapore

    Read More

  10. Mallet Finger Tendon Injury Rupture Hand Therapy

    Nov 17, 21 12:30 AM

    Mallet finger is an injury to the thin tendon that straightens the end joint of a finger or thumb.

    Read More