Neck Physiotherapy

Treatment

All of our Qualified Physiotherapists have expertise in the assessment and diagnosis of musculoskeletal injuries. They employ the most advanced evidence based techniques and their results are sometimes instantaneous.

Apart from providing rapid pain relief, there are a number of other important ways that our Physiotherapists can help with neck pain.

Our Physiotherapists offer a broad range of treatment options such as soft tissue release, trigger point therapy, exercise prescription and joint mobilisation. As a result, they are in the best position to improve your overall strength, flexibility and range of movement, addressing any limitations you may have which may be contributing to your neck pain.

Our Expertise

Our team of highly educated Physiotherapists will provide you with advice andeducation. They will prescribe exercises for neck pain aimed at reducing the likelihood of it recurring while giving you tips on how best to reduce pain on a daily basis.

Neck pain is experienced by about 70% of people at some stage in their life and is one of the most common reasons for a visit to the physiotherapist. With such a high frequency of patient visits for everything from a simple stiff neck through to the more complex combined neck and shoulder pain with pins and needles, we are well versed in the various types of neck pain that can occur and are highly skilled at supporting people with Neck Pain.

Neck Stiffness

Neck Stiffness is extremely common and is usually caused by injury to the soft tissue structures of the neck, such as muscle, tendon, ligament or joint.Muscle spasm in the neck, leading to a stiff neck, is usually a protective mechanism which is secondary to an underlying neck problem. This is referred to as ‘Acute Torticollis’ or ‘Wry Neck’.

Treatment

Dependent on the cause of the problem, treatment will include gentle myofascial release and mobilisations ( Manipulation and Mobilisation )
which involves the Physiotherapist gently applying pressure to each vertebra in the neck in order to loosen them and allow a greater range of movement.

Another helpful treatment is the use of a  heat therapy , to relax muscles

Gentle stretching exercises ( exercise and movement ) may also be introduced to patient treatment to alleviate muscle spasm in the neck.

Our Expertise

Our Physiotherapists have a great deal of specific clinical experience in the management of neck related problem.

Our team of Physiotherapists will use a variety of evidence based therapies and treatments to help reduce your pain and prevent recurrence.

Tension Headaches

A Tension Headache is caused by a tightening of the muscles in the upper back, neck and head, and is the most common of all the various headache types. Many people cite stress as an important headache trigger. Feelings of stress or anxiety instruct the nervous system to initiate the ‘fight or flight’ response, which is characterised by shallow breathing, increased blood pressure and heart rate, and increased muscle tension. Physiotherapy can help manage and reduce the intensity and frequency of headaches.

Symptoms

It is estimated that 50% of people experience tension type headaches. They are more common in women than men and are often seen in teenagers.Symptoms include a constant ache that affects both sides of the head, stiffness in the muscles surrounding the neck and/ or shoulders and often people report a pressure behind the eyes. The exact cause of tension type headaches isn’t clear but certain triggers have been identified.

Treatment

Physiotherapists can successfully treat headaches using specialised techniques to decrease stiffness and inflammation in the spinal joints of your neck. These techniques include heat, joint mobilisation (a safe and gentle form of manipulation), soft tissue massage, stretching and strengthening exercises to improve muscular imbalance, and postural assessment and dysfunction correction.

Dry needling may also help to relieve your symptoms.

Whiplash

Whiplash is an injury to the neck that usually occurs in a motor vehicle accident. It affects the soft tissue (neck muscles) but can also involve the spinal joints and ligaments, nerve roots, the jaw joints, and the upper, mid and low back. It is an injury resulting from a sudden extension and flexion of the neck. Average recovery time for a whiplash injury is a few weeks but may be longer depending on the speed and the position of the head during injury.