How physiotherapy techniques can help you get rid of that stubborn pain!
Occasional pain and stiffness may be normal and nothing to worry about. However, when shoulder and neck pain becomes a daily trend that interferes with your life, it’s time to consider professional physiotherapy techniques and treatment.
While many people let their symptoms become normalized, it is very possible to overcome pain and achieve a healthier, more comfortable lifestyle. Physiotherapy is a specialized form of treatment that can help alleviate pain and improve the function of your neck and shoulders. By attending regular sessions and following the guidance of your practitioner, neck, and shoulder pain could be a thing of the past!
Our physiotherapists at Newcastle Physiotherapy are dedicated to helping you overcome pain so you can focus on the more important things in life. Call us today to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists!
What Causes Shoulder and Neck Pain?
Shoulder and neck pain is often linked to one another due to their close proximity to the body. Still, they often have distinct differences that our physiotherapists will identify to ensure you get appropriate care. In some cases, the cause of your pain or dysfunction is actually a combination of both shoulder and neck issues. Regardless of the cause, our team will get to the root and, more importantly, help guide you back to health!
Neck and shoulder pain can have various causes, including:
Common Causes of Shoulder Pain:
- Muscle Strain: Poor posture, repetitive movements with improper form, or sudden awkward movements can strain the muscles in the upper back, shoulder blades, and shoulders. This can lead to pain, stiffness, and muscle tension.
- Rotator Cuff Injuries: Your rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that stabilize your shoulder joint. Injuries to the rotator cuff, such as tears or strains, can cause shoulder pain that may radiate to the upper back and neck.
- Shoulder Impingement Syndrome: Shoulder impingement syndrome is caused by the compression of the tendons and bursa in the shoulder joint. It often occurs due to repetitive overhead activities, such as throwing, painting, or lifting weights.
- Arthritis: Conditions like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can affect the shoulder joints, causing inflammation, pain, and stiffness.
Common Causes of Neck Pain:
- Poor Posture: Slouching, hunching over a desk, or maintaining an improper posture for extended periods can place excessive stress on the muscles and joints of the neck and upper back, leading to pain and discomfort.
- Arthritis: Conditions like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can affect the neck joints, causing inflammation, pain, and stiffness.
- Fibromyalgia: Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition that causes widespread muscle pain and tenderness. It can often affect the upper back and neck.
- Whiplash: Whiplash is a head injury resulting from a sudden back-and-forth motion of the neck, often experienced during car accidents or contact sports. It can cause neck and shoulder pain, along with other symptoms like headaches, dizziness, and restricted range of motion.
- Tension and Stress: Emotional stress and tension can contribute to neck and upper back pain. Increased muscle tension and holding stress in the neck and upper back can result in pain and discomfort.
Physiotherapy Techniques that Can Help You Find Relief from Shoulder and Neck Pain
The ultimate goal of physiotherapy treatment is to provide you with long-term pain relief. We practice a comprehensive, patient-centered approach by using techniques that focus on your areas of pain while considering all aspects of your health.
Specific methods we use in treatment may include:
- Manual Therapy: Manual therapy is when your therapist uses their hands to directly apply techniques such as joint mobilizations, joint manipulations, and soft tissue massage. Manual therapy is known for its ability to reduce pain, improve range of motion, and restore joint and tissue function.
- Stretching and Strengthening Exercises: Physiotherapists often prescribe specific stretching and strengthening exercises to improve mobility, muscle strength, and stability in the neck and shoulder region. These exercises may include neck stretches, shoulder range of motion exercises, and targeted strengthening exercises for the surrounding muscles in the upper back, shoulder blades, and shoulders.
- Postural Correction: Poor posture is a common contributing factor to both neck and shoulder pain. Our therapists can provide guidance on proper posture and ergonomics for activities such as sitting at a desk, using electronic devices, reaching overhead, or lifting heavy objects.
- Education and Self-Management Strategies: Our physiotherapists can help educate you about your condition, proper body mechanics, and self-management strategies to prevent further injury or recurrence of pain. This may include advice on lifestyle modifications and home exercises.
Learn More About How You Can Find Relief
Have you been reflecting on activities you used to be able to do without pain and discomfort? With the help of our experienced physiotherapists, you can find the long-term relief you’ve been hoping for!
Call Newcastle Physiotherapy today to learn more about how physiotherapy techniques and treatment can improve your neck and shoulder pain.
