At Trinity House Practice our experienced physiotherapists are specialists in the assessment and treatment of neck injuries.

Although not quite as common as lower back pain, neck pain still affects two thirds of us.  The joints of the neck are relatively small compared to the weight of the head they support.  As a result, the neck is first part of the spine to show signs of 'wear and tear'.

The neck is comprised of the same structures as the rest of the spine - vertebrae, ligaments, intervertebral discs, nerves and muscles.  Each of thes structures can become injured and can cause pain and restricted movement.

Common neck injuries include:
 

• Whiplash - often from car accidents or injury
• Acute torticollis - the head and neck can become stuck due to muscle spasm
• Mechanical neck pain - arising from local injury, poor postures and inactivity
• Degenerative changes - wear and tear affecting joints and discs often causes pain in common conditions such as cervical spondylosis
• Nerve pain - can arise from injury to structures such as discs in the neck, which can irritate nerves travelling through joints.

Other more problematic causes of neck pain can include:

• Inflammatory arthritic conditions including rheumatoid arthritis
• Spinal stenosis
• Fractures following injury

As with lower back pain, in rare cases, neck pain can be a sign of serious disease.  However, our staff are highly trained clinicians who will always advise immediately if your symptoms do not fit a normal pattern.  We will always liaise with medical practitioners when required and advise you if further investigation of your symptoms is necessary.

Often neck pain is straight forward  symptoms of wear and tear and can be easily treated.  Symptoms are similar to back pain and can include:

• Local tenderness
• Local inflammation
• Pain
• Stiffness / restricted movement of the head
• Local increased temperature
• In some cases neck pain can refer to the shoulder, arm and hand or shoulder blade and upper back.

Occasionally neck pain and injuries can cause pins and needles and / or numbness into the arm from nerve irritation at the neck.  This is usually very treatable and at Trinity House Practice we will tret the symptoms of neck pain and injury to reduce your pain and stiffness so you can get back to full fitness.  If, however, you have symptoms of numbness / pain / pins and needles into both arms or have visual disturbances or dizziness when turning your head, you should seek medical advice immediately.

Treatment of Neck Pain

Our physiotherapists at Trinity House Practice are trained to treat the symptoms of neck pain and injury to reduce pain, increase movement and speed healing of the affected structures.  Physiotherapy treatment varies according to the stage of the injury but are always discussed and carried out in agreement with you.  We often use physiotherapy techniques such as:

• Joint mobilisations
• Soft tissue massage 
• Electrotherapy modalities such as ultrasound therapy
• Advice on managing the symptoms with home exercises.

As with lower back pain, the best advice is to try and keep your neck moving, take painkillers (if necessary), and if possible try and eliminate the cause of the injury.

In some cases, poor posture at poorly designed work stations, or prolonged static postures can cause recurrent neck problems.  In this case, try to correct your posture when sitting or standing, and particularly when carying out tasks such as working on a computer for long periods of time.

If you would like any further information about physiotherapy treatment at Trinity House Practice and would like to book an appointment, please call 01625 500777 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..