Neck & Back Pain
Neck and back pain can be frustrating, debilitating, and sometimes downright scary — but it doesn’t have to control your life. Osteopaths are trained to assess, treat, and support your recovery with a hands-on approach backed by science. In this guide, we’ll break down common types of neck and back pain, what causes them, and how Osteopathy can help you get back on track.
Osteopaths are highly skilled at supporting people with neck pain. When you see an Osteopath for an initial consultation, we will provide a full assessment, treatment and advice.
There are a few different types of neck pain people can experience and a summary of these are provided below.
Mechanical neck pain
Mechanical neck pain is a type of neck pain which does not arise from a specific event or pathology. It can come on suddenly, for example, waking in the morning having ‘slept funny’ or more slowly over time. Mechanical neck pain can be described as both dull or sharp and can occur on certain movements. This pain may be experienced on one side, centrally in the middle or also radiate into the shoulder or head. If the pain develops slowly over time, it may be associated with sustained positions of any posture. An example of this is the sustained position of the head tilted forwards, referred to as ‘Text neck’, which can result in stiffness and associated pain. Most people recover well from mechanical neck pain, particularly once they start to regain movement. Manual hands on treatment can respond well to this treatment from an Osteopath and specific exercises.
Cervicogenic headaches
Cervicogenic headaches can be linked to neck pain in around 10-15% of headaches. People can experience stiffness and pain around the base of the neck that can spread into the head. Similar to mechanical neck pain, sustained postures can exacerbate these symptoms. An initial consultation can determine if these headaches can be treated by a physiotherapist through hands on treatment and exercises, or whether you may require a referral to your GP.
Nerve related neck pain
Nerve related neck pain is commonly seen by physiotherapists and 90% of these symptoms resolve with non-surgical management. This type of neck pain may occur with associated arm pain, pins and needles, shooting or burning sensations or numbness symptoms into the arm and/or hand. These symptoms can be very disruptive and concerning in the early stages but Osteopathy can provide clear advice and management to assist with settling the symptoms. Recovery would be expected over a 2-8 week period, however it can take longer. The Osteopath will also be able to advise if and when you may require further investigations or management.
What treatment may I receive?
Treatment for neck pain from an Osteopath may include hands-on treatment such as manual therapy, as well as suitable exercises and advice to relieve the pain, as well as tips on how to prevent further problems. Back pain is hugely common and a high degree of those who experience back pain will see it resolve.
Back pain can be caused by a variety of conditions, and the most important aspect of the initial assessment with an Osteopath will be to rule out any serious conditions or “red flags” that would require investigations or specialist referrals.
Mechanical back pain, either acute or recurrent, arises from the muscles, joints, discs and tendons of the lower back is extremely common and reportedly affects around 80% of us at some point in our lives. It commonly causes pain when moving in a certain way or when we adopt certain positions. Management will include hands-on therapy, exercises and advice, specifically focussing on preventing issues coming back.
Spondylosis affects the bones of the spine called the vertebrae that happen over time, similar to arthritis in the knees or hips. Over time, our joints can change and the discs, at each spinal joint, can dehydrate and therefore reduce in height. In the lower back, these changes can cause stiffness, pain and reduced movement. Individualised physiotherapy can assist in addressing these symptoms and advising on appropriate activity levels.
Scoliosis is when there is a curvature of the spine which results in a “C” shape single curve or a “S” shape double curve. There are many different types of scoliosis and the symptoms and impact can vary significantly in people. Osteopathy can assist in managing scoliosis and improving the spinal changes, if appropriate, through exercises that strengthen and stretch your back and stomach muscles.
Whether you’re struggling with a stiff neck, recurring back pain, or nerve-related symptoms, Osteopathy offers a tailored, hands-on approach to help ease your discomfort and restore movement. Don’t wait for things to get worse.
Book your appointment today and take the first step towards lasting relief.
