Services / Neck & Shoulder Pain
CONDITIONS WE TREAT
Neck & Shoulder pain
Stiffness, aching, referred pain and restricted movement. Neck and shoulder complaints are among the most common reasons people seek osteopathic care, and most respond well to treatment.
WHAT IS IT?
Understanding neck & shoulder pain
Neck and shoulder pain affects approximately half of all adults at some point in their lifetime. Despite how widespread it is, many people put up with it for far longer than they should, assuming that tightness and aching through the upper back and neck are simply normal. It is not.
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Neck pain can range from a dull, persistent ache to sharp, limiting discomfort that affects your ability to drive, sleep, work, or exercise. It often spreads into the shoulders and upper back, causes headaches, and in some cases radiates symptoms down the arm.
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The shoulder is one of the most mobile joints in the body, which also makes it one of the most vulnerable. What many people do not realise is that neck and shoulder symptoms are frequently connected. Tightness or weakness in the shoulder blades and surrounding muscles can drive neck complaints, and vice versa. Treating them in isolation often misses the bigger picture.
WHO IT HELPS
You might recognise this
People with neck stiffness, shoulder tension, neck-related headaches, restricted shoulder movement, or pain radiating into the arm. Also, people who carry chronic tension through the upper back and shoulders find that no amount of stretching or massage makes a lasting difference.
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Common presentations we treat include:
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Whiplash injuries
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Cervical disc injuries
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Cervical facet sprain
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Postural strain and desk-related neck pain
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Myofascial pain with trigger points
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Wryneck (acute torticollis)
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Arthritic changes in the cervical spine
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Thoracic outlet syndrome
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Cervicogenic headaches
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Bursitis
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Rotator cuff tears and impingement
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Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis)
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Shoulder tendinopathies
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AC joint injuries
ALSO RELEVANT
Headache & Migraine
Jaw Pain & TMJ Dysfunction
Acute & Chronic Injuries
Postural Concerns
Dry Needling
HOW WE TREAT IT
Our approach
Treatment is hands-on, specific, and always guided by a thorough assessment. We also work with the thoracic spine and ribcage routinely, as restriction in these areas commonly contributes to both neck and shoulder complaints.
Soft Tissue Therapy
HVLA
MET
Articulation
Exercise Rehabilitation
Shockwave Therapy
Dry Needling
Ergonomic Advice
Postural Assessment
WHAT TO EXPECT
Your first appointment
Your practitioner will take a full history before examining your neck, shoulder, and upper back, including your posture, range of movement, joint mobility, and muscle strength.
They will explain what they find and what is contributing to your symptoms before any treatment begins.
Some people notice improvement after their first session. For longer-standing complaints, a short course of treatment is more typical. You will leave with exercises and advice to support your recovery between appointments.
SELF CARE
Managing your neck pain
between sessions
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Avoid bed rest – it can do more harm than good as it can lead to shortened or weaker muscles, and joint stiffness
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Stay active as much as possible
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Stay at work, even if only on restricted duties. If required, discuss a return-to-work plan with your employer
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Pace yourself – try to do a similar amount of exercise every day
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Ice or heat packs may help in the first few weeks
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Learn about your pain – identify which activities make your pain worse or better and change your activities to suit
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Seek help early if you are fearful, anxious, depressed or stressed
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Relaxation and mindfulness strategies may help you cope
WHO IT HELPS
Meet the practitioners
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What the evidence says...
Evidence suggests that osteopathic techniques, such as manual therapy and needling, may relieve neck pain, if the pain is not caused by a serious health condition. Patients may experience a reduction in pain, increased movement and relief from headaches. References Yu, H., et al ‘Does structured patient education improve the recovery and clinical outcomes of patients with neck pain? A systematic review from the Ontario Protocol for Traffic Injury Management (OPTIMa) Collaboration, The Spine Journal (2014); 16 (12) Huisman, P., et al ‘The effect of thoracic spine manipulation on pain and disability in patients with non-specific neck pain: A systematic review’, Disability and Rehabilitation (2013); 35 (20) Miller, J., et al ‘Manual therapy and exercise for neck pain: a systematic review’, Manual Therapy (2010) Aug; 15(4) Miller, J., et al ‘Manual therapy and exercise for neck pain: a systematic review’, Manual Therapy (2010) Aug; 15(4) Sihawong, R., et al ‘Exercise therapy for office workers with nonspecific neck pain: a systematic review’, Journal of Manipulative Physiological Therapeutics (2011) Jan; 34(1) Gross, A., et al, ‘Exercises for Mechanical Neck Disorders’, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2015); 1 Ylinen, J., ‘Physical exercises and functional rehabilitation for the management of chronic neck pain’, Eura Medicophys (2007); 43 Liu, L., et al, ‘Effectiveness of dry needling for myofascial trigger points associated with neck and shoulder pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis’, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (2015); 96 (5) Yu, H., et al ‘Does structured patient education improve the recovery and clinical outcomes of patients with neck pain? A systematic review from the Ontario Protocol for Traffic Injury Management (OPTIMa) Collaboration, The Spine Journal (2014); 16 (12) Further information: https://whatisosteo.com/body-map/neck-pain/