NECK PAIN

Over the course of your lifetime, your neck is subjected to repeated stress and minor injury. These injuries may not cause pain at the time of injury. However, repeated injuries add up, and can eventually result in issues of the cervical spine causing neck pain. Most neck pain is due to degenerative changes that occur in the neck.

There are many causes of Neck Pain, below are some of the more common causes of Neck Pain

• Spondylosis
• Degeneration
• Degenerative Disc Disease
• Cervical Radiculopathy
• Muscle Strain
• Herniated Disc
• Mechanical Neck Pain
• Pinched Nerve
• Spinal Stenosis
• Spinal Instability

• Pain in your neck
• Stiffness of your neck or shoulders
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Pain in your shoulder, arm, or hand
• Reduced range of motion in your neck
• Numbness, weakness, and slower reflexes in your arms, hands, legs, or feet

Finding the cause of neck pain begins with a complete history and physical examination. After the history and physical exam, your Osteopath will have a good idea of the cause of your pain.

To make sure of the exact cause of your neck pain, your doctor can use several diagnostic tests. Complete History Your doctor will ask you to describe when your neck pain began and the type of pain you are having.

Examples of questions that might be asked include:

• When did the pain first begin?
• Do you experience numbness or tingling
• Have you increased your activity level?
• Have you had an injury, or surgery, to your neck at any time?
• Does the pain go down into your arms or legs?
• What causes your neck to hurt more or less?
• Have you had any problems with your bowels or bladder?

Once most of the information is gathered, your doctor will give you a thorough physical exam. During the exam, your doctor will look at your neck to find out how well it is functioning.

Other diagnosis mechanisms may include:

• Imaging tests such as X-Rays or MRI’s
• Laboratory tests such as blood tests

The first goal of these treatments is to ease your pain and other symptoms. Your treatment with your Osteopath may include the use of:

• Joint mobilization
• Spinal manipulation
• Rest
• Ice
• Heat
• Electrical stimulation
• Iontophoresis
• Ultrasound
• Clinical Pilates
• Soft tissue mobilization/massage
• Posture education
• Soft collar
• Medications
• Injections

The Centre for Musculoskeletal Medicine is located in Albert Park and services patients from the surrounding areas of Middle Park, Port Melbourne, South Melbourne.