Common causes I see
Desk and laptop posture, waking with a “cricked” neck, whiplash after a car accident, and the slow stiffening that comes with age and wear in the joints of the neck. Sometimes a nerve in the neck is irritated, which can send pain, pins and needles or numbness into the arm.
Treatment
I work on the muscles of the neck, shoulders and upper back, and use gentle mobilisation to restore movement in stiff joints. The middle of the back is often part of the problem, so I treat that too.
I will look at your desk set-up and sleeping position with you and give you two or three exercises you can do in a few minutes a day.
What you can do at home
- Raise your screen so the top is at eye level.
- Take a short break from the screen every half hour.
- Gentle neck turns and shoulder rolls through the day.
- One supportive pillow is usually better than a stack.
See your GP or get urgent help if you have
- Neck pain after a fall or blow to the head
- Weakness, clumsiness or numbness in both arms or hands
- Severe headache with a stiff neck, fever or a rash (call 999)
- Dizziness, double vision or difficulty speaking or swallowing
If you are not sure, call NHS 111. Clare will always tell you if she thinks you need to see a doctor rather than an osteopath.
Questions about neck pain
Can an osteopath help with whiplash?
Yes. Once more serious injury has been ruled out, gentle treatment and graded exercise help many people recover movement after whiplash.
Does neck pain cause headaches?
It can. Tension in the neck and upper shoulders is a common cause of headaches that start at the back of the head. See the headaches page for more.