Causes and Management of Neck pain – Fulham Massage & Wellness

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Thursday, 13 July 2017

According to some research, one of the most common musculoskeletal conditions last decade was lower back pain. However, with the technology developing very quickly, people spend more time using phones and other gadgets what leads to neck problems. Looking down for prolonged amount of times causes significant stiffness and imbalance to neck, shoulder and back muscles. It also puts our hands and forearms at risk. Conditions called in the past tennis or golfer elbow are being called these days “typing elbow”. The overuse of wrists and fingers cause chronic tension fulham and inflammation, leading to repetitive strain injuries and pains.

Causes of neck pain

Posture is one of the most common reasons for developing neck pain among Fulham people. Looking down for a long periods of time and keeping the neck forward leads to overuse of certain neck muscles such as Scalene, Sternocleidomastoid and Trapezius. Considering the significant weight of the head (approx. 8kg), keeping the head out of alignment for a long time, causes a lot of additional work for neck muscles. They eventually get tired and become unhealthy. Tight muscles restrict blood flow to the area. This means the waste products and bad cells aren’t flushed away from the tense area and there is limited supply of healthy, repairing cells. Constant tension also causes small and involuntary contractions within overused muscle fibres which create trigger points (commonly called “knots”). Backlog of lactic acids also makes changes to the structure of the muscles, making it tougher and more resistant to stretching.

Another causes of neck pain fulham can involve dehydration, unhealthy diet (lots of sugars and processed food can cause inflammation and hormonal imbalance), stress, drafts and cold (neck loves heat!), uncomfortable pillow, unsuitable desk setup, repetitive movements and direct injuries (like sport injury or whiplash).

Neck pain Massage Fulham

Neck injuries and pains can be very uncomfortable and resistant to change. This is due the fact the neck muscles cannot simply relax and rest. When sitting, standing and walking – they all work very hard to support the head. The only time to switch off the neck muscles is when lying down. However, even then, it is important to have a suitable pillow. Not many people know that pillows come in sizes and they should be individually measured. It’s not “one fits all”. Most high end shops with mattresses will be able to advise on appropriate choice. Massage therapists and physical therapists should also be able to assist in getting the pillow which will match your neck’s size and needs.

Massage is one of the most effective ways to help neck pains. It can soften the muscles, release the tension, increase the blood flow and help to switch off the neural system from the “guarding mode”. In most cases, a course of sports or deep tissue massage treatments can completely cure the problem and prevent it from coming back. At Fulham Massage & Wellness, we recommend 2-3 massage sessions in order to permanently release the muscles and re-educate them on the new, loose position. Within these treatments, significant improvement of movement is expected as well as release of any knots or scar tissue. The key however is to maintain the freedom of the neck and prevent any injuries by regular monthly massage fulham. It will help to keep your body in sync with your mind and notice any minor tensions before they turn into uncomfortable injuries.

 Types of neck pain

There are many conditions that can affect the neck. One of the most common is neck strain. When neck muscles get tight over the time, eventually a rapid or sharp movement can cause the muscle to overstretch or tear a little. This results in pain, inflammation and decrease of range of movement. It can be very uncomfortable as neck muscles cannot just rest and heal – they have a very important role of keeping the weight of the head!

Another common condition is torticollis. This happens often when you wake up with the head tilted to one side and cannot move your neck. It is also popularly names as “wry neck”. In most cases, it affects the muscle called sternocleidomastoid, which rapidly gets shortened and in spasm. The key to treating the torticollis is initiating the treatment very quickly rather than waiting for the pain and stiffness to go away.

Whiplash is an example of neck injury caused by a trauma. It happens when the neck and head is rapidly moved forward, backwards or sideways. It can involve other structures such as jaw, face and shoulders but in most cases neck trauma is the most significant. When facing danger (in this case forceful, sudden move), the neck goes into protective mode to prevent the spine from being broken or damaged. Unfortunately, this protective mechanism also results in spasm and contraction of neck muscles, which can last for a long time and be uncomfortable. Massage and physical therapy are usually the best way to release the spasm and bring the neck back to normal.

To find out more about neck pain massage, check out our website: https://www.fulham-massage.com/commonly-treated/neck-shoulder-pain. You can also give us a call on 020 3794 9760 for a free over the phone consultation. We can’t wait to help your neck feel free again!