Neck Pain
Experiencing neck pain can be very unpleasant wearing you down and having an affect on your daily activities. Your symptoms may range from general neck and shoulder stiffness, a dull ache to more debilitating symptoms including referred pain into the arms or even headaches.
With our team of Osteopaths and Physiotherapists, we have a huge amount of experience in the treatment of neck pain.
A thorough subjective and objective examination and will be taken prior to commencing treatment in order to have a correct diagnosis. We will always refer you to your G.P if we feel it is necessary for further investigations or a second opinion.
Understanding your Neck
To have a greater understanding of neck pain, it is important to visualise the typical structures present within the neck. This providers with a huge amount of information enabling us to identify what is causing the neck. The neck consists of seven vertebrae. Functionally the neck can be divided into two areas. The upper complex consisting of the occiput, atlas and the axis (C0- C2) and the lower complex consisting of (C3 to C7).
The upper complex predominantly allows flexion and extension at C0 and C1 and rotation at C1 C2. The lower complex C3 to C7 all permit flexion and extension and rotation but to a smaller degree.
Between the cervical vertebrae exists two facet joints and the vertebral disc. The facet joints are much like hinges that link the joints together. These are bound by capsules providing support and stability.
There are numerous muscle to the neck providing functional movements in summary these include:
Flexors : longus colli & capitis, infra hyoids
Extensors: splenius capitis, semispinalis capitis, suboccipitals, trapezius
Rotators: splenius capitis, sternocleidomastoid, levator scapula, suboccipitals
Lateral Flexors: scalenes
These muscles can work together producing combined movements.