Neck pain can be caused by injury or irritation to the pain sensing structures of the neck including the bones, joints, connective tissue, discs, spinal nerves, and muscles. Muscle pain is by far the most common cause, but you should be evaluated to rule out fracture, neurologic involvement, or other systemic causes.
Pain coming from the joints, connective tissues, and muscles can be caused from an old injury, poor posture, arthritis, or other mechanical strains on the body. Neck pain can be referred from the head, shoulder, or upper back so a full evaluation is important to gain an appropriate understanding of all the factors that may be contributing.
Osteopathic Manipulation can be used to remove mechanical restrictions around the muscles, membranes, and bones of your neck to restore motion and decrease pain. OMM also looks at other areas of the body that have mechanical or neurological influence on the neck as a source of the pain. Decreasing mechanical tensions throughout the body can help take tension off of the neck. The types of manipulation can be customized based on your clinical condition so that gentle maneuvers can be performed on those in more severe pain.
After you have been evaluated and given a medical diagnosis, some ergonomics, stretches and relaxation techniques can be a valuable part of your overall management. Click below to be directed to a video on any of the following:
