ARE YOU SUFFERING WITH NECK PAIN?

The neck is one of the most vulnerable parts of the body and neck pain is a common ailment in our modern lives. If you suffer from recurring or chronic neck pain, there’s no need to accept the problem as something you’ll just have to live with. Contact the team of chiropractors, osteopaths, physiotherapists, sports massage and massage therapists at The Health Hub and let us work with you to treat your neck pain at the source.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF NECK PAIN?

The neck is a complex structure that forms part of the spine, running down from the base of the skull to the top of the shoulders in a series of 7 cervical vertebrae, whose job is to:

  • Protect the spinal cord and communication with the brain
  • Allow blood flow to the brain
  • Support the head and its movement

The neck is vulnerable to the stresses and strains of everyday activity and pain can be caused by general wear and tear as well as specific injury, stress or trauma. Age, injury, poor posture or diseases such as arthritis can lead to degeneration of the bones or joints in the cervical spine. There are a number of other neck injuries that can cause pain such as disc herniation, whiplash, fractures etc.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF NECK PAIN?

Neck pain often starts suddenly and generally goes away within a few days. However, if it doesn’t get better, you may need treatment. Neck injury symptoms include a stiff neck, shoulder or arm, headache, facial pain and dizziness.

Broadly, we distinguish between three different types of neck pain:

  • Simple neck pain, caused by poor posture, stress or sleeping awkwardly, which strains your neck muscles and ligaments. Neck pain may also be caused by wear and tear of the bones and discs in your neck.
  • Neck pain with nerve involvement, this ill often result in symptoms into your shoulder or arm and occurs when a nerve is pinched. You may also feel numbness or weakness in the arm, or tingling in the fingers or hand.
  • Whiplash injuries are common after car accidents and sports injuries where your head is suddenly jolted backwards and forwards, making the neck muscles and ligaments stretch beyond their normal range, causing a sprain.

Whichever type of neck pain you are suffering from, it is important to receive a skilled assessment and diagnosis from an experienced chiropractor, osteopath or physiotherapist. At The Health Hub, our skilled therapist team use a range of therapeutic tools and tests to diagnose the problem and suggest the best treatment options for you.

HOW TO EASE NECK PAIN

Neck pain can be a painful and complex condition, but luckily medical treatment or intervention isn’t always necessary. There are many things you can do at home to alleviate the symptoms of a stiff or painful neck.

  • Gentle exercises for natural neck pain relief: Speak to our physical therapists who can devise an individualised programme of safe yet effective exercises for neck pain that you can do on a regular basis.
  • Ice, heat and over-the-counter painkillers: Apply an ice pack to reduce pain, then a heat pack to relieve joint stiffness and muscle spasms. Ask your pharmacist about the most effective anti-inflammatory painkillers.
  • Proper pillow and mattress support: Adjust your sleeping position to take the strain off your neck. Make sure your head is the same height as the rest of your body, with a firm mattress and a low, firm pillow. Don’t sleep on your front.
  • Active rest: Avoid activities that can aggravate your neck pain but try to stay active and continue with your usual daily activities if you can. Don’t keep your neck in the same position for a long time, e.g. when sitting at a desk.

Why choose The Health Hub?

The Health Hub is a team of experienced physical therapists providing physiotherapy, chiropractic care, osteopathy, sports massage, massage therapy, Pilates and more. We believe that a holistic approach to health gives us the best choice of tools and techniques to assess, diagnose and treat your neck pain. We have extensive professional expertise and can offer the complete package to keep you fit and healthy.

  • Osteopathy for neck pain – Osteopaths take a holistic approach to the health of the body, aiming to make sure that your muscles and joints are functioning together in a balanced and harmonious way. Our therapists focus on manual techniques, such as mobilisation or manipulation, massage and trigger point therapy all of which are designed to get your body back to a state of balance.
  • Chiropractic care for neck pain – Chiropractors have a special interest in neck and back pain, taking a holistic approach to see how problems with the muscles and joints affect the nervous system. Our therapists will focus on restoring the normal range of motion for you neck using similar techniques to our osteopaths, including mobilisation, manipulation, massage and other specialist techniques to achieve the best results.
  • Physiotherapy for neck pain – Physiotherapy is a tried and tested form of treatment for neck pain, using hands on techniques such as mobilisation, massage and acupuncture to alleviate pain. Our therapists will also focus on restoring movement and function as part of a wider rehabilitation programme where necessary.
  • Massage for neck pain – Gentle manual therapies, massage and sports massage can be carried out in many different ways to help with neck pain relief and rehabilitation. Our therapists have a wealth of experience in treating all kinds of neck pain and associated conditions. If they feel that you would be better off with one of our Chiropractors, Osteopaths or Physiotherapists they will always refer you to ensure you get the best possible care.

Thanks to our holistic combined approach to therapy packages, we have been able to achieve some truly transformative results for our patients that you can read here.

Get in touch with The Health Hub today for more information or to book an appointment.

The Health Hub offers holistic physical therapy options & individual treatment programmes for neck pain for effective pain relief & rehabilitation. Call for details.

Therapies

Testimonials

Read what our patients have to say.

Thank you for fixing my back after 6 months of working from home on a wooden kitchen chair! I’ve gone from having never seen a Chiropractor before to now making it a regular appointment.

Adam Jones

I used to visit Tanya whilst she was working at the Heeler Centre, and was more than happy to continue using her excellent massage services when she moved to the Health Hub. The new venue is fantastic; welcoming, clean, great friendly staff and an excellent location. Of course, Tanya’s therapy skills are the main reason for going. So much so, my partner has now changed to visiting Tanya at the Health Hub and is also highly delighted.

Highly recommend – Sam and Tina at the Health Hub have helped me enormously recently with a back problem and I have been so pleased with the results. Always a friendly smile and professional service at their practice

Sally Tilley

I’ve been seeing Sam for treatment for a long time (getting on for 15 years). He’s managed to fix issues that allowed me to play rugby on weekends when I otherwise would have to miss out. While the issues he treats now aren’t normally as debilitating, I feel better and more able to train once I’ve seen him. Sam will give you a honest opinion on the best course of action for your injury and will do what he can to get you pain free as quickly as possible. The reception staff are great and it’s a friendly environment.

Lee Evans

I see Sam (chiropractor) regularly and he offers a bespoke, caring open minded service. Not only is he highly skilled and professional but he is friendly and knowledgeable without judgement or up selling. Highly recommend. Ive also had a fantastic sports therapy massage from Tina and hope to book in for another soon. Gemma

Gemma B

Absolutely amazing. Cured my muscular lower back pains. Tina is absolutely amazing. Has also given me some great advice for avoidance and general health improvement. Very relaxing and friendly environment. Cannot recommend enough

Paul R

State of the art new practice, with fantastic treatment rooms and highly skilled staff. Sam Pargeter treated my back and has made a huge difference. Highly recommended.

Daniel Burstow

I couldn’t recommend the Health Hub highly enough…I have been seeing Sam for a while and more recently Tina. During all of my visits I have been very impressed with the depth of knowledge on offer and the extremely professional treatments. The environment is very well presented and is very welcoming. Any issues I’ve visited with have been treated and resolved…I come away feeling brand new

Andrew Munday

The staff are all lovely, kind and helpful. Lachlan is an excellent osteopath and sorts out my tense muscles and clicking out hip every time. A medical appointment to look forward to! Highly recommended

Gayle Sheriff

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common types of neck pain?

There are many different types of neck pain and they can range from simple wear and tear to complex injuries resulting from an accident or traumatic event. The most common type of neck pain is mechanical (‘axial’) pain which is concentrated in one area of the neck. Typical symptoms involve a dull or throbbing ache, or a sharp stabbing pain, and the pain may increase with certain movements or with poor posture.

Can neck pain be caused by whiplash?

Whiplash injuries are caused by the neck bending forcibly forward and backward, as a result of a sudden impact. Symptoms include neck pain and may involve a host of other symptoms such as muscle stiffness, pain in the shoulder, lower back pain, arm or hand, limited range of motion, ear ringing, blurred vision, insomnia, irritability and problems concentrating. If you’ve recently been involved in a car crash, sporting accident or similar traumatic event, you may well be suffering from whiplash.

Is there anything I can do to prevent neck pain?

Accidents and injuries will happen, but you can make sure you lead as healthy a lifestyle as possible to look after yourself. Getting regular exercise and a healthy diet, as well as maintaining good physical posture can all help. Adopt healthy habits when sitting including having an ergonomic workstation and not sitting hunched over the computer, and practice lifting heavy objects with the correct technique. A few simple changes can make a big difference.

What should I expect at my initial consultation?

When you attend your first appointment with us, we will take a detailed medical history and ask you about your symptoms, so we can assess and diagnose your neck pain issues. This enables us to devise an initial personalised treatment plan for you, we will also treat you if there is no need for onward referral as part of the initial consultation visit. Please come prepared with a list of your neck pain symptoms, including when they began, and any other information that you think might be relevant.