What causes neck pain?
Examples of common conditions causing neck pain are muscle strain, neck injury such as in whiplash, degenerative disc disease, herniated disc, or nerve compression. Neck pain can also come from common infections, such as virus infection of the throat, leading to swelling of the lymph nodes (glands).
More serious neck pain could also be caused by infection of the spinal bone or meningitis; chronic conditions like osteoarthritis or from autoimmune disorders such as fibromyalgia or rheumatoid arthritis.
However, most commonly, neck pain is caused by muscle tension from poor posture in prolonged activities such as sitting at a desk or driving.
Signs and symptoms of neck pain include; aching in the area, stiffness, loss of range or movement, and occasionally numbness or tingling in the hands.
The neck is made up of various structures including the cervical vertebrae that surround the spinal cord. The nerves of the head and upper extremities extend from between these vertebrae. The neck is also a hub for lymphatic drainage, with a convergence of lymph nodes and vessels draining through the supraclavicular lymph nodes to be filtered or disposed of by the larger organs. Not to forget the multitude muscles that either support or operate movement the upper back, neck, head and shoulder area.
The most common cause of neck pain is muscle strain, in which a muscle is stretched too far and may tear. Neck muscle strain is typically caused by poor posture or support, such as sleeping with the neck in awkward positions.
Most neck muscle strains are alleviated using heat or ice, over-the-counter pain medications, massage and stretching.
How can massage can help alleviate or manage pain from some of these conditions?
By assessing the location and cause of your pain through conversation of your history, looking at your range of movement and identifying what the underlying cause of your pain may be. Also assessing your posture and weaknesses, as well as tension that could be the cause of your pain, and considering other stress factors that could be impacting on your pain.
Sometimes massage is not appropriate and you may need to be referred to another practitioner, such as your GP or physiotherapist for assessment of disc or joint related issues. You may only need a few appointments with another practitioner before being able to have massage again.
After assessment your massage therapist will make a plan for the treatment, and for following treatments that you may require. They will then treat you with the use of trigger point therapy, myofascial release, deep tissue massage, stretching techniques such as PNF and possibly dry needling or cupping.
Following the treatment the massage therapist will go through an at-home aftercare plan to assist your improvement between visits and speed up your recovery. Such aftercare might include adjusting your posture at work or at home, stretches, foam rolling or using a spikey ball, the use of heat or ice and resting the muscle. A follow up appointment is usually required after the initial visit to reassess the injury and make a further plan for your recovery.
