Neck Pain

The above photo was taken from Google photo bucket.

This new article on neck pain is presented to you from Precision Massage Clinic and written by Jade Tran.

Neck pain or a stiff neck is common complaint, but is not usually something to be concerned about.

Massage can relieve neck pain if it's done often by a professional therapist and for the correct length of time, according to research.

Above photo is taken from www.triggerpoints.net

But the same engineering that allows this area of the spine to be so flexible also leaves it vulnerable to injury.

Neck muscle strain will result in a stiff neck and pain in the shoulder muscle.

Symptoms typically include difficulty and pain when moving or rotating the head or neck.

Sometimes, neck pain is caused by injury from a fall, contact sports, or whiplash.

Most of the time, neck pain is not a serious condition and can be relieved within a few days.

If neck pain continues more than a week, is severe, or is accompanied by other symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.

Causes of Neck Pain or Stiff Neck

Neck pain or stiffness can happen for a variety of reasons.

This is usually due to activities and behaviors such as:

•   poor posture

•   working at a desk for too long without changing position

•   sleeping with your neck in a bad position

•   jerking the neck during exercise

•   Injury from falls, car accidents, sports.

•   Meningitis is an inflammation of the thin tissue that surrounds the

   brain and spinal cord. Stiff neck is usually accompanied by 
   fever and severe headache.
  Note: If you have symptoms of meningitis, seek help immediately.

•   A neck strain or sprain occurs when one or more muscles

    ligaments, or tendons is in the neck are injured.

•   Too much time in an awkward position

•   Cradling a phone in the crook of the neck

•   Carrying a heavy suitcase or other object on one side of the body

•   Whiplash injury due to car accident

If you have been in an accident or fall and your neck hurts, seek medical care immediately.

How to Ease Neck Pain

If you have minor neck pain or stiffness, take these simple steps to relieve it:

•   Apply ice for the first few days of your neck hurting. The cold helps

   reduce inflammation in the area, which in turn allows it to heal.
   
    The ice or cold pack should be applied in twenty-minute intervals
    during the initial 24 hours.

•   After that, apply heat with a heating pad, hot compress, or hot

   showers. The heat helps bring nutrient-rich blood flow to the area to stimulate
   a healing response. 
   
   Some people prefer moist heat, such as from a hot bath or shower.

•   Take a few days off from sports, activities that aggravate your

    symptoms, and heavy lifting. Resume normal activity slowly as symptoms ease.

•   Exercise your neck every day. Slowly stretch your head in side-to-

   side and up-and-down motions.

•   Use good posture.

•   Avoid cradling the phone between your neck and shoulder.

•   Change your position often. Do not stand or sit in one position for

    too long.

•   Seek a Professional Sport Massage Therapist.

•   Use a special neck pillow for sleeping.

•   Do not use a neck brace or collar without checking with your

   doctor’s approval. If not used properly, this can actually make the problem worse.

•    Seek a treatment from a Myofascial Release Therapist

When to Seek Medical Care

If symptoms persist for more than a week, consult with your doctor. You should also see a doctor if you have:

•   severe neck pain without apparent cause

•   a lump in your neck

•   fever

•   headache

•   swollen glands

•   nausea and vomiting

•   trouble swallowing or breathing

•   weakness

•   numbness and tingling

•   pain that radiates down your arms or legs

•   inability to move your arms or hands

•   inability to touch your chin to your chest

•   bladder or bowel dysfunction

Neck strains and sprains occur when these soft tissues are stretched beyond their normal limits or torn, causing pain, tenderness, and difficulty moving the neck.

Neck pain may radiate into the shoulder and over the shoulder blade and upper back when the trapezius muscle is strained.

Many cases of neck strain or sprain will resolve after a few days, but flare-ups or aching pain may continue for weeks or months after the initial injury.

The above picture is taken from www.imgbucket.com

At Precision Massage Clinic, located in Bankstown you will be taught to stretch specific muscle to strengthen it and allow you more mobility.

This information is presented to you by ‘Precision Massage Clinic’ by Jade Tran (Remedial Therapist, Remedial Muscular Therapist and Craniosacral & Myofascial Release and Master Reiki).

At ‘Precision Massage Clinic’ located in Bankstown you are taken through the steps of what is involve in the session while you are being treated for neck pain. 

And after the session you are given FREE muscle stretching sheet on the specific area that is required to be work at home in your own free time, to speed up the healing process.

To booked in for a session, please call Jade Tran on 0425 444 304 to start the healing process. I hope you found the article helpful in further understanding your symptoms.