NECK ACHE
Most people over the age of 35 show some wear and tear on
an X-ray of their necks, but not everyone over 35 has neck
pain! X-rays only show the bones in the body and do not show
the disc or soft tissues around the bones and joints. Therefore
a patient can have a bad X-ray but be pain free or alternatively
have a normal X-ray and be in agony because it is not the
bones causing the pain. Cricked neck, trapped nerve and pulled
muscle, are all terms which patients use to describe pain
in the neck. In fact most neck pain is the result of a disc
problem causing a trapped nerve. A neck problem can result
from sleeping awkwardly and 'cricking' the neck; it can be
due to prolonged bad posture such as sitting at a computer
or at the wheel of a car; or it can be sudden in onset as
a result of suddenly jarring the neck, or from lifting or
pushing heavy objects. Patients usually complain of constant
pain in the neck, across the shoulders or into the shoulder
blade. Pain may even be referred
from the neck up to the head or down the arms - referred pain
- Neck pain may be one sided or both sides.
TREATMENT
Treatment relies on the reduction of the disc
bulge by changing the mechanics of the spine and reducing
the tension in the connective tissue with Connective Tissue
Manipulation and Manual Lymph Drainage. Correct posture is
very important to improve the neck pain and prevent recurrence.
Pillow height should be sufficient to maintain the neck in
a neutral position and prevent problems whilst in bed.
| 
