Blog

Physio for Neck Pain

17/11/2021

Neck pain is a common experience amongst Australians, with around 50% of people experiencing it during their lifetime. Neck pain can affect people of all ages, and is often caused by poor posture, aging or traumatic injury. 

The physiotherapists at Orthosports regularly treat neck pain, and if you experience any aches, difficulty moving your neck or pain then it is important to book an appointment at your earliest convenience. In this blog post, we will be sharing some of the common causes of neck pain and how this condition is treated.

 

Common Causes of Neck Pain

Neck pain can be caused by a variety of issues and conditions, with some of the most common being:

  • Traumatic injury/accident
  • Poor posture – particularly whilst working at a PC
  • Degenerative disc disease
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Excessive heavy lifting
  • Spending long periods hunched over mobile devices (phones/tablets)

Many people can identify with at least one of these factors, but it’s important to note that neck injuries can be difficult to diagnose. It is possible that your neck pain may be caused by joint, muscle, bone, disc or nerve related issues. You should visit your GP and physiotherapist as early as possible for a diagnosis, after which an appropriate treatment plan will be implemented.

 

Symptoms of Neck Pain

Those who suffer from neck pain or neck related injuries typically experience:

  • Aches and pains at the neck/shoulder region
  • Difficulty moving their neck
  • Pain between the shoulder blades
  • Jaw or face pain
  • Headache

 

Tips for Avoiding Neck Pain

With many people now spending long hours at their desk, neck pain is becoming more common. The single best tip to prevent neck pain is to pay attention to posture and ensure that you get up and walk around for a few minutes every hour. Spending an excessive amount of time looking at mobile devices, or an improperly positioned monitor, will place significant strain on the neck muscles. Over time, this can lead to spinal joint stiffness and symptoms such as neck pain and headache. When using mobile devices, it is best to hold the device up towards your face rather than looking down to the screen. 

 

Physio Treatment for Neck Pain

Once the biomechanical cause behind your neck pain has been established, your physiotherapist will prepare a tailored treatment plan. Treatment is intended to alleviate pain and minimise the risk of it recurring. 

Physiotherapy treatment typically involves:

  • Muscle strengthening exercises
  • Massage (muscles and connective tissues)
  • Postural advice
  • Joint mobilisation
  • Cold packs to ease pain/inflammation

 

Experiencing Neck Pain? Book an Appointment at Orthosports Physio Today

Neck pain can be frustrating and limit your opportunities. By seeking treatment early, you can alleviate pain, reduce the risk of recurrence and return to your usual activities sooner and with confidence. If you’ve been experiencing neck pain, please don’t hesitate to book an appointment with Orthosports Physio Concord by calling 9744 2201 today.