Did you know 1 in 5 people suffer from neck pain at any one time?

In fact, over a person’s lifetime, their chances of experiencing neck pain is nearly 50%

Neck pain is a common condition with studies indicating that neck pain is one of the most frequent musculoskeletal complaints among adult women. Neck pain can range from mild discomfort to more severe, debilitating conditions. 

Common Neck Pain Symptoms

Neck pain can manifest in various ways, depending on its source. Symptoms commonly include:

• Sharp Neck Pain: Often located in the neck and shoulders, sometimes radiating down the arms.
• Restricted Movement: Tight muscles can limit the ability to move the head freely, causing discomfort when turning or tilting.
• Radiating Pain: Pain can travel down the shoulders, arms, and hands, often indicating nerve involvement or referred pain.
• Headaches or Migraines: Neck pain can trigger tension headaches or even migraines due to muscle tension and nerve irritation.

Common Causes of Neck Pain

Neck pain can stem from a variety of issues within the neck, with the discs and facet joints being the most common culprits. When these structures are affected, they can cause the surrounding muscles, ligaments and fascia to tighten, further exacerbating discomfort. Specific causes include:

• Disc Issues: Herniated or bulging discs can compress nearby nerves, causing sharp pain and radiating symptoms like sciatica.
• Facet Joint Dysfunction: Misalignment or inflammation of the facet joints can limit neck mobility and cause pain.
• Muscle Strain or Soft Tissue Sprains: These often result from sudden movements, overuse, or poor posture, leading to strain and discomfort.

Co-contributing Factors to Neck Pain

Several lifestyle and physical factors can worsen or contribute to neck pain, including:

• Poor Posture: Habits such as slouching or prolonged sitting with improper posture can strain the neck muscles and spinal alignment.
• Pregnancy: Hormonal changes and weight distribution during pregnancy can affect posture and create additional strain on the neck and upper back.
• Menopause: The musculoskeletal changes that occur during menopause, such as decreased bone density and joint stiffness, can contribute to neck pain.
• Pelvic Floor Dysfunction: Dysfunction in the pelvic floor can lead to compensation by the upper body, placing undue stress on the neck.
• Hip Issues: Conditions like arthritis or hip muscle imbalances can affect movement patterns, leading to added strain on the neck.
• Car Accidents (Whiplash): Whiplash injuries from car accidents often cause strain on the neck muscles, ligaments, and discs, resulting in persistent pain or stiffness.
• TMJ issues can cause muscle tension, misalignment, and referred pain, contributing to neck discomfort and stiffness.
• Rib ring dysfunction can limit rib mobility, affecting posture and upper body mechanics, which may contribute to neck pain.

Physiotherapy for Neck Pain

Physiotherapy is a highly effective treatment for managing and alleviating neck pain. Physiotherapists specialize in identifying the root causes of pain and developing tailored treatment plans to reduce symptoms and improve function. Treatments often include:

• Manual Therapy: Techniques such as joint mobilizations and soft tissue massage to relieve tension and improve movement.
• Exercise Prescription: Targeted exercises to strengthen the muscles supporting the neck and improve posture, which can reduce pain and prevent recurrence.
• Postural Correction: Education on maintaining good posture during daily activities to reduce strain on the neck.

Women experiencing neck pain, particularly during pregnancy or menopause, can benefit from physiotherapy tailored to their specific life stages and conditions.

Why Choose Women’s Health Physiotherapists?

At our clinic, our physiotherapists are experts in understanding the unique needs of women’s health, including the hormonal and musculoskeletal changes that occur during the pregnancy and post natal period, menopause and all other stages of a women’s life.

We provide individualized care to help manage neck pain, restore mobility, and enhance overall well-being, allowing women to live pain-free and enjoy an active lifestyle.

We build strength from the inside out – starting with stabilising the core – postural & breathing muscles – and then working our way out to the limbs.

Book with us today to get help with:

• Degenerative Disc Disease
• Whiplash
• Bulging Disc
• Headaches – create link to headaches
• Cervical Instability
• Osteoarthritis – create link to EP page with OA 
• TMJ Dysfunction
• Rib dysfunction 
• Facet dysfunction