We can help with: neck pain and associated headaches, upper back muscle pain and middle back pain.
We provide neck pain and upper back pain treatment for a wide range of conditions including; severe neck pain and associated headaches, sore neck muscles, upper back muscle pain and upper back ache, and middle back pain.
With desk work, long hours of driving and modern technology, many of us suffer with pain or stiffness in the neck and upper back. This can also be linked to headaches, dizziness, or pain and tingling along the arms.
Most commonly, the cause for these symptoms is tightness in the muscles around the neck, shoulders and chest. Following long hours in the same position (for example in front of a laptop or at the wheel) the muscles get set in a tight, shortened position as we neglect to utilise their full range of motion.
When the muscles become stiff they can cause the small joints in the neck and upper back to lose their freedom of movement. As a result, an unexpected movement which takes the neck too far, or an awkward night’s sleep, can lead to acute strain and inflammation in those joints.
Patients who regularly work long hours at their desks often come to us for preventative treatment on a regular basis, to ensure their neck, back and shoulder muscles remain flexible and to avoid neck or back pain developing.
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We also help people who suffer with whiplash-effect injuries, recent or historical, as a result of a road traffic accident or other accidents and falls. We treat these patients carefully, and often advise them to try the neck strength exercise below.
To find the cause of the problem, we would first note all the details about how the symptoms came about, what it feels like, timing, daily pattern, and any aggravating or relieving factors. We also ask about associated headaches or other symptoms, any issues with other joints, your health in general, and any significant events in the past such as accidents or surgery.
We then observe your back, neck and shoulders, and assess movement in all directions – making note of any restrictions or pain. We may also perform special tests to assess the condition of nerves, joints, muscles and ligaments.
Once we have established our working diagnosis we will always take time to explain to you what we found and let you know how we can help, and whether we need to make any referrals.
Our treatment approach is aimed at improving freedom of movement where it is restricted. We use specific massage, mobilisation, manipulation and stretching techniques to improve the flexibility in joints and muscles, relieve tension, and ensure good circulation for effective recovery.
During the session, we will also provide advice on exercise, posture and other techniques to aid fast recovery and maintain treatment results.
These are some of the most common techniques and exercises we prescribe for neck and upper back pain:
Tip: If you can see your left elbow in front of you as you pull, then this is the perfect angle for the stretch.
Tip: This stretch can also be done sitting, ensure you start with a good neutral posture and straight back.
Tips: You can start by standing sideways in front of a mirror as you do it, and observe the dramatic change in your posture. As this exercise is designed to change the habitual ’round-shouldered’ or ‘slouchy’ posture, the more frequently it is done the better.
By bringing the shoulders back to their neutral place, beside our chest and not in front of it, we are improving the arms’ ability to move freely in all directions, thus reducing the potential for strains and injuries at the end of their range of movement.
This posture is also better for the back and neck, as it creates better alignment through the spine and reduces demand on its muscles.
If your shoulders won’t allow you to do this exercise comfortably, you can try bending at the elbows and creating circles with the elbows instead, or just rolling the shoulders with your arms relaxed beside you, still following the movement with your head and neck for maximum effect to the spine.
