NECK PAIN

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Neck pain is a common problem among adults, and 1 in 3 people complain of it. Often people wake up with a neck pain or experience a neck pain after long hours of working at the computer and ignore it, assuming it will go away after rest. Although neck pain or stiffness is often caused by an incorrect sleeping position or prolonged computer use, if your pain is persistent and comes and goes frequently, you should consult a doctor.

You may experience neck pain due to direct impact, whiplash injury from car collision or roller coaster propulsion, osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, and others. It is better to consult a neck pain specialist for an in-depth diagnosis and an effective treatment plan.

If you are suffering from neck pain, please come to The Physio Studio. Our team of specialists will analyse your condition and propose a suitable treatment plan.

Common Causes Of Neck Pain

The neck and back are made of several small bones called vertebrae. These bones are stacked over one another and are called the spinal column. The spinal column supports your head and protects your spinal cord as well.

The first seven bones in the spinal column are in your neck and are called cervical vertebrae. In between each cervical vertebra is shock absorbing cervical disc. The disc comprises of a thickened ring of fibrous tissue around a softer centre. Together with the small cervical facet joints and muscles between these bones, the cervical disc enable you to move your neck. Any problem with these bones, muscles, disc or joints will affect your mobility and will also cause neck pain.
Some conditions that cause neck pain are:

1. Whiplash

Whiplash is a neck injury that is caused by sudden and forceful back-and-forth movement of the neck. It can occur as a result of a rear-end car accident or trauma that causes your neck to move back and forth abruptly and uncontrollably.

Neck pain due to mild whiplash goes away with rest and over-the-counter painkillers; however, if the pain persists or other symptoms such as tinnitus (ringing sound in the ear), dizziness, headache or jaw pain are also present, you should consult a specialist.

You may be suffering a cervicosensorimotor dysfunction, a neck disorder that affects the upper cervical spine. This disorder can lead to chronic neck pain affecting attention span and concentration at work. Physiotherapy for neck pain is a successful way of treating whiplash-related neck pain. You can consult a specialist physiotherapist at The Physio Studio for neck pain physiotherapy.

2. Arthritis

Patients with persistent neck pain are often diagnosed with arthritis. Usually, bad posture puts extra pressure on the neck, which causes pain and inflammation. Rest, painkillers, a neck brace, cervical traction and physiotherapy are usually prescribed by the doctor and are enough for treating neck pain due to arthritis. However, if the problem does not subside with this course of treatment, surgery might be needed.

3. Muscle Tension

Neck pain caused by tension and stiffness in the neck is referred to as muscle tension. Muscle tension usually occurs due to long working hours on the computer or driving for a very long time. The muscles around our neck become tired and stiff due to overwork, which leads to neck pain, shoulder pain, and back pain. Headaches are also noticed because nerves in the neck are compressed due to inflammation and the blood supply to the brain is affected.

Physiotherapy for neck pain is the best treatment for muscle tension. The physiotherapist will work on stiff and tired muscles on your neck, back, and shoulder which will reduce tension at trigger points and relieve you of pain.

4. Muscle Spasm

A muscle spasm is a sudden stiffening or tightening of muscles in your neck. It causes serious pain on one side of the neck, and often it becomes impossible to turn your neck on one side. Muscle spasms usually go away in a few hours or days. Routine stretching exercises at home, painkillers, and the use of heat and ice packs are effective against muscle spasms. However, if the pain persists, the doctor will suggest physiotherapy for the neck pain.

5. Cervical Disc Herniation And Nerve Impingement

With poor posture and degeneration, the cervical disc between the vertebra can wear and tear. When the outer fibrous ring called annular fibrosus is torn, the inner softer core known as the nucleus pulposus may bulge or protrude out compressing on the cervical nerve in the neck.

Nerve impingement happens when nerve, a string like structure that extends from your spine to your muscles and skin, which gives you sensation or strength, is compressed. Compression of cervical nerve often leads to pain, or altered sensation such as numbness or tingling sensation, radiating to your arm or hand. It can also cause weakness in your arm or hand. Thus, affecting basic function such as gripping, holding or carrying things.

Nerve impingement can also be due to whiplash, cervical arthritis, muscle tension, muscle spasm.
Alleviation of nerve compression with pain medication and Physiotherapy is the first line of treatment. Physiotherapy treatment mainly include soft tissue massage, manual therapy, postural correction, cervical traction and appropriate neck exercises.

Main Causes of Neck Pain

According to specialists who perform physiotherapy for neck pain, the neck is prone to injuries and conditions that impair mobility and create pain because it bears the weight of the head. Here is a list of some of the common causes of neck pain:

Muscle Strains: Muscle strains are often attributed to overuse, such as spending too much time bent over a computer or smartphone. Neck strain can occur from minor things like reading in bed.
Worn joints: Age-related wear and tear is common in neck joints, much like in other body joints. As a result of this wear and tear, the body frequently develops bone spurs, which can harm joints and cause discomfort.
Nerve Compression: Herniated discs or bone spurs in the cervical vertebrae can compress the nerves that emerge from the spinal cord.
Accidents: Whiplash injuries are a common consequence of rear-end car crashes. The soft tissues of the neck are strained when the head jerks backwards and then forward.

What Can The Physio Studio Do For You?

Physiotherapy is a popular and highly effective treatment for neck pain, and The Physio Studio is a well-equipped physiotherapy clinic in Singapore. Whether you are suffering from whiplash or neck muscle strain, qualified and experienced physiotherapists at The Physio Studio will put in every effort to ease your pain and bring back your normal life.

At The Physio Studio, we offer you:

Access to highly qualified and experienced physiotherapists.
A state-of-the-art facility that has all the latest physiotherapy equipment.
A friendly environment is necessary to accomplish physiotherapy goals.
Our physiotherapists can also visit your home or gym if you are unable to visit our clinic.

Click here to book an appointment now! The Physio Studio is waiting to solve all your neck problems.