Neck pain getting in the way of everyday life?

Perhaps you woke up one morning and suddenly couldn't turn your head.

Maybe your neck and shoulders gradually tighten as the working day goes on.

Or perhaps neck stiffness seems to come with headaches that keep returning.

I'm Simon Palmer, a registered osteopath in Chichester, and I've been treating people with neck and musculoskeletal problems for more than 35 years.

Rather than simply asking:

“Where does it hurt?”

I'm interested in:

“What is it stopping you doing?”

Driving? Working comfortably? Sleeping? Playing sport? Going to the gym? Or simply getting through the day without constantly being aware of your neck?

That's where we'll start.

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Why Does My Neck Hurt?

Your neck has quite a job.

It needs to support your head while allowing you to look up, down and from side to side — thousands of times every day.

The neck doesn't work in isolation either. Your shoulders, upper back, rib cage and the way you use your body can all influence how comfortable it feels.

Neck pain may appear suddenly or build gradually.

Sometimes there's an obvious trigger — sport, an awkward movement or spending hours in one position.

Sometimes you wake up with it and immediately blame the pillow.

And sometimes there isn't an obvious cause at all.

The first job is to understand your neck pain rather than assume everybody with a stiff neck has the same problem.

Why Do I Wake Up With Neck Pain?

It's very easy to assume:

“I must have slept awkwardly.”

Sometimes your pillow or sleeping position may contribute.

But sometimes the neck was already irritated before you went to bed.

You then spend several hours relatively still while you're asleep and the muscles around a sensitive area can tighten and stiffen.

That's one reason some neck pain begins to ease once you're up, moving around and getting on with your day.

If it happens repeatedly, however, it's worth looking at the bigger picture rather than buying your seventh supposedly perfect pillow.

[#SIMONSAYS: WHY DO I WAKE UP WITH NECK PAIN?]

Can Stress Cause Neck Pain?

Stress and neck pain certainly seem to enjoy each other's company.

That doesn't necessarily mean stress is the sole cause.

When we're under pressure, many of us unconsciously tighten the muscles around our shoulders and neck. If the area is already sensitive or irritated, that extra muscle tension can make symptoms more noticeable.

So rather than dismissing the problem as:

“It's just stress.”

I'll consider what's happening in the neck itself as well as movement, work, sleep, exercise and other factors that may be contributing.

[#SIMONSAYS: IS MY NECK PAIN COMING FROM STRESS?]

What About Headaches?

Not every headache comes from the neck.

But some headaches can be associated with structures in and around the neck, particularly where neck pain or stiffness occurs alongside the headache.

That's why I'll ask about the pattern of your headaches as well as examining your neck and surrounding areas where appropriate.

It's also important not to assume that every headache is musculoskeletal.

If your headache is new, unusually severe, significantly different from headaches you've experienced before, or accompanied by other concerning symptoms, medical assessment may be more appropriate than osteopathic treatment.

If I think that's the case, I'll tell you.

How Might I Treat Neck Pain?

There isn't a standard treatment that everybody receives.

After taking your history and examining you, I'll explain what I think is happening and whether osteopathic treatment is appropriate.

Depending on what I find and what you're comfortable with, treatment may include:

• Soft tissue techniques

• Gentle joint mobilisation

• Stretching

• Muscle energy techniques

• Functional or other osteopathic techniques

• Manipulation where appropriate

• Advice about movement, exercise and managing the problem yourself

And one question I'm frequently asked is:

“Do you have to click my neck?”

No.

Manipulation is only one osteopathic technique.

I actually use considerably less manipulation than I did earlier in my career. Experience gives you more options, not fewer.

If manipulation isn't appropriate, you don't want it or I think another approach would suit you better, I won't use it.

Should I Stretch My Neck?

Gentle movement and stretching can often feel useful when your neck is stiff.

But forcing a painful neck isn't necessarily helpful.

Muscles may tighten protectively around an irritated area, so aggressively pulling against them can sometimes make them tighten further.

Think encouragement rather than force.

If a particular stretch repeatedly causes or increases pain, don't keep doing it simply because somebody on the internet said it was good for necks.

Your neck hasn't read the internet.

[#SIMONSAYS: SHOULD I BE STRETCHING MY NECK OR BACK?]

35+ Years of Experience

I've been practising as an osteopath for more than 35 years and have carried out over 30,000 treatments.

One of the things that experience teaches you is not to treat a diagnosis or a body part.

Treat the person attached to it.

Two people with apparently similar neck pain may need very different approaches.

I'll listen to what's been happening, examine you, explain what I think and adapt treatment accordingly.

And if I don't think osteopathy is the right approach, or your symptoms need further investigation, I'll say so.

#SimonSays: Neck Pain

I've created short #SimonSays videos answering some of the questions patients commonly ask me about their necks:

• Why do I wake up with neck pain?

• Is my neck pain coming from stress?

• Should I stretch my neck or back?

I'll continue adding to the library as new questions come up.

[WATCH #SIMONSAYS NECK PAIN VIDEOS]

Neck Pain & Headaches in Chichester

If neck pain or recurring headaches associated with your neck are interfering with work, sleep, sport or everyday life, come and see me.

You don't need to work out what's wrong before you arrive.

We'll start by working that out.

Then we'll decide what to do next.

Simon Palmer
Registered Osteopath
Fishbourne, Chichester, West Sussex
35+ years' experience | 30,000+ treatments

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