Neck pain is one of the most common complaints seen by Physiotherapists in the clinic. Acute neck pain is a term used to describe the pain, which may start anywhere from the base of the skull to the upper shoulder region lasting less than 6 weeks.
Quite often this pain may be localised to the side or back of the neck and may sometimes even spread into the head causing tension neck headaches.
What Causes Acute Neck Pain?
There are various causes to acute neck pain, for some it may come from something minor like sleeping wrong and awkwardly or from turning the neck too quickly. For others, it may stem from an injury such as following a fall or a motor vehicle accident.
Or it could be caused by unfamiliar activities like prolonged gardening with the neck in a fixed posture or working with an awkward posture and often in these cases, the pain may build gradually over hours or days. As a result, the ligaments and joints in the neck become strained over time and the muscles in the neck may spasm as a protective mechanism, therefore reducing movement
Your Physiotherapist Can Help You
A Physiotherapist can clinically assess your neck to determine the reason for the pain and how it’s affecting the joints and muscles of the neck. Treatment methods used by Physiotherapists can help alleviate pain and restore normal neck function and range. These include: education and explaining the reason behind the pain, hands-on treatment and advice and specific exercise. If you’re suffering from acute neck pain, you can find your nearest Physio practice by visiting this link.
This Blog Was Written by Carolyn Do a Physio from the Plympton Practice.