Neck Pain

Whiplash

Whiplash usually presents as neck or back pain, often immediately or a few days after a car accident. Whiplash may also occur due to high velocity contact sports, such as rugby. The injury occurs when the head moves forward, backwards, or sideways suddenly without control of the movement.  Symptoms of whiplash include neck pain, back pain, shoulder pain, burning or tingling sensations in your neck or arm.  This unexpected, sudden movement can cause the muscles, ligaments, nerves and joints in the neck and back to become painful.

Wry Neck/Crick in the Neck

Wry neck, crick in the neck or acute torticollis are medical terms used to describe a sudden painful and stiff neck. Usually pain and stiffness are present upon waking, although it is also possible that the neck may become stuck following a sudden movement. Awkward sleeping conditions such as long haul flights or long bus journeys can also cause wry neck due to poor neck posture when sleeping. The main symptoms are pain and stiffness, usually with no recollection of injury.

Cervical Disc Prolapse/Slipped disc

A slipped disc in the neck can be a cause of neck and arm pain. Medically, a slipped disc in the neck is known as a disc prolapse. Contrary to popular belief a slipped disc does not mean that a disc has ‘popped' out of place. It is more accurate to think of the disc as a doughnut, with a jelly like middle and a tougher outer layer.  A slipped disc occurs whenever the inner substance of the disc protrudes through the outer layer. This can occur through repeated stress on the disc via repetitive neck movements or poor working posture. Symptoms of a slipped disc can include neck, shoulder and arm pain, often with pins and needle sensations or shooting pains due to nerve involvement.

What we can do to help

Treatment will vary according to your specific condition. Initially a thorough examination of your problem will be made in order to determine the best approach to take with your treatment. Each client will recieve a personalised treatment programme which will likely be made up from a combination of soft tissue therapy, joint mobilisation, electrotherapy, accupuncture and exercise therapy.