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Neck Pain

Due to the nightmare of laptops, iPads and mobile phones, this is a common presentation, particularly for office workers (no surprise there then!). 

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Some of the main causes of neck pain include: 

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  • Muscle strains. This is the most common cause, often due to excessive stress placed on the neck musculature from hours spent at a desk or a sudden new exercise regime.

  • Weakness. Weakness to the muscles lower down in the back and stiffness through the middle of your back can lead to excessive loading to the muscles around the neck. Often regaining mobility and strength solves this. 

  • Worn joints. Age related change to the joints, known as osteoarthritis can cause wear and associated reduced range of motion. Muscle imbalance can often exacerbate this condition.

  • Nerve compression. A disc herniation or bony growth can press on the local nerves within the neck and cause pain. A thorough assessment can determine id this is the case. 

  • Injuries. Motor collisions and sporting injuries can often result in whiplash injury, which occurs when the head is jerked backward and then forward, straining the soft tissues of the neck. Often it can be surprising how long it has been since the incident before this pain rears its head (literally!). 

Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain can be really uncomfortable, affecting your everyday activities and mobility and even when you're sleeping (or trying to!). Whether you’re dealing with a dull ache, a sharp pain on movement, a constant throb, or maybe a constant niggle under the shoulder blade, shoulder pain can have many causes and impact people of all ages. Thankfully it does tend to respond well to manual therapy. 

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Some common reasons for shoulder pain include:

  • Rotator Cuff Injuries: These muscles and tendons keep your shoulder stable and are critical to a healthy shoulder. Often an impingement or tear can occur, both responding well to manual therapy.

  • Frozen Shoulder: A condition where your shoulder becomes stiff and painful, making it hard to move your arm freely. There are stages of this condition and depending where you are will depend on what is best to do at that point.

  • Shoulder instability: Not always painful but frustrating nonetheless. Dysfunction in other areas can put more pressure onto your shoulder so often treatment is directed at surrounding areas such as your neck and spine and strength to support the joint

  • Arthritis: Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can affect your shoulder, leading to joint pain, stiffness, and swelling.

  • Long head of biceps pain: Overuse or repetitive motions, especially from sports or physical work, can cause inflammation in the tendons, resulting in pain.

  • Bursitis: The fluid-filled sacs that cushion your shoulder joint between the muscles can become irritated, swollen and cause discomfort.

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