Neck Pain
Neck pain appears to be the most commonly seen conditions amount the patients I have seen. Patients often complained of chronic (long-standing) persisting mid to lower neck pain, spreading down to the upper thoracic (upper back) and interscapular (between shoulder blades) areas and/or the upper trapezius (neck muscle) and posterior (back of) shoulder areas. If severe, pain, aches, paraesthesia such as numbness and pins and needles could often radiate down to the fingers. Onset is often insidious (unknown) and worsen by prolong sitting, concentrating, working in head down position and by sitting in front of the computer, stress and tension. Neck movements may or may not be restricted. X-rays may show some degenerative changes but otherwise fine. Neurological (nerve) tests are negative. The patients are otherwise fit but symptoms could be very irritating. Normal physiotherapy treatments such as traction and electrotherapy often fail to alleviate their symptoms. In despair, patients run around to seek treatments from different acupuncturists, bonesetters, chiropractors, herbalists, masseurs and osteopaths without success.
Signs of such symptoms could only be revealed by detail palpations of the cervical (neck) spine. Intervertebral (between vertebrae) movements of the affected level/s could be hypo- or hyper-mobile. Soft tissues around are often thickened and tender. Muscle imbalance could be obvious, often with tightness to the neck extensors (backward bending muscles) and weakness in the deep neck flexors (forward bending muscles). Patients often have a typical forward head posture and a slouch thoracic (upper back) posture.
Manipulative physiotherapy is very effective in treating neck pain of mechanical origin. When the affected joint/s is identified, normal joint mobility is restored by localized manipulations, mobilizations and mobility exercises. Muscle stretches and strengthening/stability exercises are given to restore imbalance. Postural and ergonomic advice is given to avoid future aggravations. Before discharge, patients would have learnt a full self-help program to manage their neck conditions. As a general rule, the more chronic (long-standing) the condition is the longer it takes to respond to treatment and the more difficult it is to clear all symptoms. In most cases, certain degree of response to treatment should be apparent within a few weeks no matter how chronic the condition is.
Luck LI
Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist
Signs of such symptoms could only be revealed by detail palpations of the cervical (neck) spine. Intervertebral (between vertebrae) movements of the affected level/s could be hypo- or hyper-mobile. Soft tissues around are often thickened and tender. Muscle imbalance could be obvious, often with tightness to the neck extensors (backward bending muscles) and weakness in the deep neck flexors (forward bending muscles). Patients often have a typical forward head posture and a slouch thoracic (upper back) posture.
Manipulative physiotherapy is very effective in treating neck pain of mechanical origin. When the affected joint/s is identified, normal joint mobility is restored by localized manipulations, mobilizations and mobility exercises. Muscle stretches and strengthening/stability exercises are given to restore imbalance. Postural and ergonomic advice is given to avoid future aggravations. Before discharge, patients would have learnt a full self-help program to manage their neck conditions. As a general rule, the more chronic (long-standing) the condition is the longer it takes to respond to treatment and the more difficult it is to clear all symptoms. In most cases, certain degree of response to treatment should be apparent within a few weeks no matter how chronic the condition is.
Luck LI
Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist