Overview Of Neck And Shoulder Pain
There are seven bones in the neck, called the vertebrae that are stacked on top of each other, which supports the head. These bones are cushioned with cartilage and ligaments help to hold these together, while muscles help with more support and enable movement. The shoulder is a joint that is a ball and socket to provide a large range of movement. The shoulder is going to rely heavily on the muscles within the shoulder for stability. When a person has a problem with any of these muscles, they are going to find that they could experience pain and have issues with mobility.
Whiplash: Neck Pain
One of the most common injuries to the neck is whiplash. This is when the neck is suddenly jerked backwards then snaps forward again. This is often a symptom of being involved in a car accident. This can result in damage to the ligaments, muscle or discs within the neck and irritation to the nerves in the area.
The symptoms of whiplash include:
- Pain
- Stiffness
- Dizziness
- Headache
When a person gets treatment soon, they will find that this injury can last shorter periods of time. However, whiplash can last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. Treatment for whiplash may include:
- Exercises to help with posture, general fitness, strengthening and gentle mobilization
- Medication to help with pain and inflammation
- Joint and tissue mobilization
Neck Pain Due to Posture Problems
Neck pain is often caused by poor posture, that is putting extra pressure on ligaments and muscles. For those stand with their shoulders slouched, their chin poking forward, or who are looking down for a long time, they are going to find that this can affect the neck. In addition, sleeping with your face down, as well as slumping while you are seated can lead to neck pain.
You can prevent this type of neck pain through:
- When standing or sitting be sure that you are doing this with the correct posture
- Ensure that wherever you sit, that this is going to allow you to properly sit down
- Stretch and change positions throughout the day
- Do not sleep on your stomach
- Ensure you have the right pillow for support while sleeping
- Utilize relaxation techniques to help with stress that can cause muscle issues
- Exercise to ensure that you have muscle tone and posture
Always remember that:
- Neck pain is often caused by some type of trauma, poor posture, or arthritis
- Shoulder pain can be caused by dislocation, fractures and instability
- Treatments for pain such as osteopathy, remedial massage and physiotherapy can help with neck or shoulder pain