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Warrandyte Physiotherapist Rachel Crosbee talks about Neck Pain & Headaches

Neck Pain and Headaches

By Rachel Crosbee

 

Pain in the neck is exactly that, a pain in the neck. It can affect our sleep, our concentration, can cause headaches and interfere with the simplest of activities. Problems in this region can be severe and debilitating.  We need cervical (neck) mobility to be able to drive safely, even socialising can be difficult for people are suffering with pain in their neck. Many of our shoulder muscles attach up into the neck, so problems in this region can affect many upper body activities.

There are many causative factors of pain in this region. Wear and tear is an all too common explanation, "I’ve slept awkwardly" or got a chill have also been blamed, resulting in many people ignoring or putting up with pain and stiffness which can be treated. The following are just a few examples of causes of neck pain and headaches.

  • The muscles in the top of your shoulders which attach up into the neck, are often under repetitive loading even in the most sedentary lifestyles. These muscles when fatigued and “unhappy” can cause pain locally but can also radiate up into the head.
  • If the joints in the neck are stiff or inflamed, which can happen with repeated twisting or sustained positions of the head, they can cause severe pain and restricted range of motion.
  • Workplace ergonomics. If your desk is too high or low, your screen too low or your eyesight is affected, this can affect the posture you are sitting in at work. If you work more than 5 hours a day sitting at a desk working at a computer in a position where the joints are at an end range position, this can result in repetitive low-grade strain, which over time can result in inflammation and pain.
  • Injuries such as whiplash or whiplash type injuries cause soft tissue microtrauma, inflammation and then scarring which can result in chronic neck pain, stiffness and headaches.

 

While it is common knowledge that muscles and joints in the neck can cause headaches, many people with headaches including migraine type headaches do not seek Physiotherapy. An experienced Physiotherapist can assess whether the headaches are in any way linked to problems in the neck region I they are start treatment immediately.

At PhysioLife we have a special interest in the assessment and treatment of all musculoskeletal dysfunction. We can asses your posture, the way you move, palpate your joints and muscles and determine the causative factors to your pain. Following this if the problem has some underlying issues in the joints, muscles or nerves, we can treat these areas and assist you in long term self-management. PhysioLife is not a quick fix, but a long-term solution to help you move well through life.

Book online or give us a call to get on top of your neck pain.

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