A problem in the neck can be the result of dysfunction elsewhere. Often restriction in the upper back causes the neck to overwork, for example. On the other hand, sometimes neck problems are the cause of symptoms somewhere else, like some headaches.
Osteopaths can help with neck pain that involves the muscles, nerves, or joints. Traumatic injuries should be triaged by a doctor, but we may be able to help with rehabilitation after it has been investigated.
Causes of Neck Pain
Just like the lower back, there are a number of potential causes for neck pain. Often it comes out of nowhere, developing gradually over time, or appearing when you wake up one morning. Even minor problems can seem quite dramatic, as most problems will trigger the brain to try and protect the area. It does this by tightening up the muscles, which can cause restriction and pain in itself.
Your osteopath will use information from your case history and movements to determine the cause. Often there are a combination of causes, so treatment will aim to address all of these and the connections between them. Whether your neck pain comes from an arthritic joint or an irritated nerve, we can help.
Complications of Neck Pain
Cervicogenic headaches are headaches caused by something in the neck. Sometimes these headaches are very brief, but other times they are recurrent and can last for days at a time.
These headaches usually affect one side at a time, but future episodes may be on the other side. Pain is not typically accompanied by visual disturbances or nausea. At the start, pain may be intermittent and focused towards the top of the neck or base of the skull. As it moves over the top or side of the head, the pain may become more continuous.
If the brain receives a pain signal from somewhere in the neck, sometimes it misinterprets where it’s come from. It’s the same process as when people get jaw or arm pain instead of chest pain during a heart attack. This is called referred pain, and it can happen in the neck too. The message the brain gets about pain includes the nerve that detected it. At the top of the neck, the first few nerves also supply the skin of the head and face. As a result, a problem at the top of the neck could be misinterpreted as a headache by the brain, without a direct mechanical link. That is not to say that you are imagining the pain. We can help with this cause of headaches too.
Neck pain with associated symptoms in the arm can indicate a problem with a disc. Discs don't really slip, but they can bulge, and sometimes they will irritate a nerve. The nerves in the neck mostly supply the arm, so if one is impinged you may get pins and needles, numbness, weakness, or pain in the arm. Your osteopath will be able to tell which level is affected by the location of your symptoms.
As with most things, if you can nip your neck pain in the bud, you have a better chance of avoiding the development of secondary problems. It’s never too soon to come and see your osteopath- if you have recurrent neck pain but are symptom free at the moment, we can still work to prevent its recurrence.
You can book online here for an appointment in Naas.
