Do you suffer from neck pain?
In today’s lifestyle, we suffer from something we term a “flexion addiction”. Everything we do, from sleeping (curled up in the foetal position), driving to work (hunched over the steering wheel), office work (slouched at the desk) and on the couch at home in our leisure time encourages our spine into a rounded, or flexed position. Even exercise! As we “crunch” away at our abs.
All this flexing has a detrimental effect on our necks and leads to a variety of symptoms from neck and shoulder tension to headaches and even dizziness. The chin pokes forward and the joints at the back of the neck are compressed and become irritated and painful.
Posture of course, is not the only factor to consider but it is something that your physiotherapist will address in your assessment. Ergonomic factors such as your desk and chair or equipment that you may be using in the workplace will also like be addressed. Perhaps even your dynamic posture in a sport specific case such as technique in golf swing or swimming stroke.
Age related changes also impact neck pain. Normal wear and tear in the spine as well as things like osteo and rheumatoid arthritis can also lead to pain and discomfort. But it is important to note that the amount of pain you experience is not necessarily correlated to the amount of tissue damage in your neck or back. Pain is an output into the system dependent upon a level of threat that is real or perceived. (More on explanation of how pain systems work on another page!) Therefore this can be altered to a large extent at a conscious level. Similarly, there is no correlation whatsoever between radiographic findings (i.e X-rays and scans) and the long term chronicity of back and neck pain. This is great news! Think of a car which may have been in a crash. Looking at the picture does not tell us how the engine still runs. Conversely, a picture of a seemingly perfect looking car, can still have a dead battery and not go at all! The picture does not tell the whole story!
In a small amount of cases, neurological findings will lead your therapist to want to investigate further. This could include things like facial numbness, blurred vision, pins and needles down the arm, weakness in the arm or hand etc. You may be referred to an orthopaedic or neurosurgeon for further assessment.
The neck contains many small cells which we call proprioceptors. These provide information to your brain about the position of your head on your neck. Rehab of the neck will include correct positioning in front of a mirror and possibly using a biofeedback machine or other tools such as a laser pointer to re-educate the muscles. These are at risk from general posture related issues but also in traumatic events such as a whiplash where the joints are sprained and need to be repositioned and aligned in symmetry.