Studies indicate that on average 10-20% of Australians will experience neck pain at some point throughout the year. Sources of pain can come from different parts of the body, pain can be generated from muscles, nerves, joints and non mechanical (i.e from organs and other health issues). Most neck pain will come from mechanical origin, but it’s important that any persistent, or new type of pain is best to seek advice from a healthcare professional.
Mechanical issues can often be caused by one of either two fundamental issues, mobility or stability( strength). Mobility is described as the ability to move or be moved freely and easily .Stability is the ability to maintain control of joint movement or positioning. Stability of a joint requires both the muscles but the brain and nervous system to control movement.
Main solutions to fix neck pain will often revolve around either of these factors. Stretching, foam rolling, massage helps to increase movement. Strength exercises aim to increase stability.
So which one do I need?
The answer is both. Neck pain can be from serious causes, nerve pain, disc injuries, or it can be from less severe, postural imbalances and muscle tension. But no matter what time of pain you have, addressing both mobility and stability is often required.
Neck pain may be what triggers you to seek help to begin to stretch but more often than not the neck is not the only issue. The body works as a coordinated system of muscle and joints, all which are controlled by the brain and nervous system to create movement. Movement of the neck is not just restricted to the neck, but often involves the thoracic spine and shoulders. So if you are experiencing neck pain, more often than not the thoracic spine and shoulders will be involved. The neck or cervical spine sits on top of the thoracic spine, a lack of mobility or stability will cause compensation in the neck and lead to neck issues. This is especially true for more chronic or long term issues.
So what should I do?
If you are experiencing a persistent neck pain or pain that continues to come back it would be best to see the advice of a health care professional. A chiropractor or physiotherapist can best advise you on addressing the underlying cause.
