Neck Pain

Neck pain can cover anything from mild irritation to severe burning pain. Unlike many other conditions, neck pain can be caused by factors not immediately obvious such as poor sleeping positions, work-related positions including overuse of computers, stress and certain sports.

Sources of the problem

Pain in the neck can be due to injury, arthritic changes, a mechanical or muscular problem or a trapped nerve caused by a bulge in one the of discs between the vertebrae. Besides the small aches, neck troubles can bring on a host of other symptoms, including head aches, pains in the scalp, face or ears, dizziness, pressure behind the eyes and referred pain into the arm and hand.

Problems include radiculopathy, which is a pinched nerve, often from a disc protrusion. This causes pain down the arm, often described as an electrical feeling. Myofascial Pain – this is generally an aching pain in muscles that tends to be associated with poor posture of other job-related tasks. Patients often report they have difficulty sleeping. Although very rare, Spinal Stenosis is a narrowing of the nerve openings either around the spinal cord or nerve roots that can cause symptoms similar to a pinched nerve. Tendon, ligament and soft tissue pain is localised pain when an area is stretched or its muscles are overused. This results in tenderness in these structures.

Spinal instability is a problem caused by increased motion between vertebra, usually resulting from an injury. The pain typically feels like tingling in the neck or arms.

How it can be treated, and what to expect at the physiotherapy clinic

Ease of symptoms may involve weekly treatment of the acute phase, in order to reduce inflammation and pain. Then, if symptoms persist, treatment sessions may be more intermittent (once per month). Our solutions range from mobilisations, manipulation, the use of electrical equipment (ultrasound, interferential therapy, laser), acupuncture, deep soft tissue massage, neural mobilisations and lifestyle advice.

Prevention methods

Factors such as sitting position, exercise regime and posture, all contribute to the problem. Your physiotherapist will be able to advise on your own set of symptoms, and ways of preventing recurrence and lifestyle adjustments. Ergonomic advice from your physio can reduce further problems.

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Back Pain

Nearly two thirds of the population of the UK have experienced back pain which affects their ability to carry out daily tasks such as lifting or bending. 2.5 million people suffer back pain every day of the week. More working days are lost in this country through back pain than for any other reason.

Sources of the problem

It is not surprising that our backs cause most of the problems. Muscles in the back come into play during almost all movements we make, working against gravity to move us in the way we want to move. Back problems can be caused by acute and specific causes such as a fall or a road accident, but are more commonly caused by a gradual build-up of symptoms which increase over time. There is generally a fundamental difference in the treatment of back pain caused by injury than that caused by a condition such as rheumatoid arthritis or Ankylosing spondylitis.

How it can be treated, and what to expect at the physiotherapy clinic

Although there are a range of measures you can take to prevent back pain and to ease the symptoms, the Chartered Physiotherapist’s extensive training in anatomy and physiology means we are all experts in helping you understand what’s gone wrong, and how best to treat it. The most common causes of chronic pain are muscular or involve ligaments, joints, a trapped nerve or a disc. When you visit the Physiotherapist, they will carry out an extensive assessment before commencing treatment. This will include a discussion about your work, your leisure activities, and other aspects which could have caused the pain. You can expect a treatment which does not involve drugs, injections or complex machinery. Physiotherapy is still largely a hand-on profession. We will look at mobilisation of the joints of the spine, to see whether this causes or relieves the pain.

Massage helps to relieve spasm, increase circulation to the injured areas and help speed up the healing process. To some extent it is also down to you, you will be asked to carry out specific exercises to strengthen muscles and improve muscle support. Pilates exercises are effective in toning up your deep stomach muscles. Our physiotherapists are trained in Pilates and can give you individual advice and exercises.

Prevention methods

Don’t bend over for long periods of time, or bend when you could kneel or squat

Always warm up before you do any sport or exercise

Take time to improve your muscle tone, contract your stomach muscles for a few minutes each day

Always gently stretch backwards when you stand after having been bent over for some time

Whenever you sit, keep an eye on your posture to ensure your back is straight. Adjust your chair if necessary If lifting heavy or awkward objects, do bend your knees, not your back

Above all, call us! Whether it is to discuss your symptoms, or to discuss various aspects of your treatment, we will be happy to help.

Neck Pain

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Back Pain