Neck
We have extensive experience in the treatment, rehabilitation and preventative management for neck pain and injuries.
Below provides a list of the most common shoulder conditions. Each patient requires an individual assessment to determine the exact type of injury, the causes and any rehabilitation program required. During an appointment with either a Sports Doctor or a Physiotherapist you can expect the following assessment questions:
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History of the pain, including location, severity, referred pain, things that make the pain worse or better.
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Previous related injuries
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Occupational or Sporting activities
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Previous treatments
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Physical assessment of the neck.
We recommend a booking with a Physiotherapist or Sports Doctor as a first assessment. Our physios will refer you to a Specialist Sports Physician if required.
Disclaimer
The common conditions below and the associated information have been produced as a guide only. They do not replace the judgement of a clinician. The below information should never be relied on as a substitute for proper assessment with respect to the particular circumstances of each patient. Patients should consult with an appropriate clinician as soon as practicable post injury to avoid complications.
Common Conditions
Description
Cervical spondylosis is a very common neck condition. The neck – like the spine – is made up of disks and facet joints. In between each disk is a cushioned layer of cartilage that allows for movement of the spine and neck. As people age the cartilage begins to wear down and the vertebrae begin to develop bony spurs (osteophystes) reducing the space between the disks.
As the space between the disk’s narrows, it is possible for nerves in the neck to get pinched and compressed, causing pain in the neck and possibly shoulder, arms and head.
Some symptoms may include:
- Tingling, numbness and weakness in your arms, hands, legs or feet
- Lack of coordination and difficulty walking
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
Treatments
A Physiotherapist or Sports Physician will be able to diagnose cervical spondylosis quite easily with a simple physical examination of the neck and a discussion on the symptoms. Treatment is relatively straight forward and can be quite successful.
Changes to daily activities such as sitting position, lying position and reducing length of periods where your neck is bent forward (using computers and phones) can make a marked difference to the severity of symptoms. Other home treatments like Hot Wheat Bags may provide some relief.
Your physio will recommend a series of daily exercises and change posture and sitting techniques. They may also the following to aid in recovery:
Our Sports Physicians may be consulted should these more conservative treatments be ineffective. TSM doctors may recommend more invasive procedures such as certain types of injections or in the worst cases – surgery.
For an assessment with one of our Physiotherapists today – Book online now.
Description
Due to our computer-based lifestyles, cervical postural syndromes are becoming more common and are often a cause for ongoing neck and back pain. These syndromes are not isolated to long term computer uses only, many sports people also develop this condition, especially if they are required to maintain unnatural positions for long periods of time. This can be observed in cyclists, hockey players and wicket keepers in particular.
People who have developed this syndrome will have neck extension (see picture) rounded shoulders, tight pectorals muscles and restricted movements of the shoulders.
Pain from this condition is often found across the shoulders and into the neck and right up to the base of the skull. This can also lead to headaches.
Treatments
The good news is that these posture syndromes are usually rectifiable by Physiotherapy alone. Your Physio will likely recommend a combination of the following treatments:
- Therapeutic exercises
- Ergonomic assessments
- Postural retraining
- Joint mobilisation
- Dry needling and acupuncture
In difficult cases your Physio may tape your neck and back into position to aid in postural retraining.
