How can I properly treat neck pain?
With a holistic approach, you can effectively treat or prevent neck pain. Neck pain is often a symptom of complex physical or psycho-emotional causes. This article:
- Highlights central triggers such as stress, whiplash, shoulder injuries, and one-sided daily stresses.
- Shows why poor posture (e.g., foot or pelvic problems) can exacerbate neck tension.
- Introduces therapeutic measures such as heat therapy, manual techniques, and trigger point treatment.
Reading time: 5 minutes
Neck pain is by no means the diagnosis of a standalone condition. It is rather the unpleasant accompanying symptom of physical or psycho-emotional illnesses. Not infrequently, headaches and neck pain hide unrecognized malpositions that originated in completely different areas of the body.
A holistic approach is therefore indispensable to ensure lasting relief from the complaints that actually cause neck tension. This article presents exciting methods, tools, and approaches for treating neck pain.
Contents
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From Symptom to Solution: Why Does Neck Pain Occur?
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Stress as a Cause: Treating and and Preventing Neck Pain
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What to Do for Neck Pain from Whiplash?
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Neck Pain from Shoulder Injuries – What to Do?
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Thrown Off Balance – How Neck Pain Quickly Arises in Everyday Life
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3 Tools for Treating and Preventing Neck Pain
- Conclusion: Not All Neck Tension Is Created Equal
From Symptom to Solution: Why Does Neck Pain Occur?
Chronic neck pain, stabbing neck pain, acute neck pain, or non-specific neck pain – there are many different types and manifestations of neck pain. But why does neck pain occur at all? The causes of neck pain are as diverse as their manifestations: from stress or whiplash to shoulder injuries and one-sided daily activities.
Finding the individual cause is not always easy. We will delve into the various causes and how to treat or relieve specific neck pains in detail below.
Stress as a Cause: Treating and Preventing Neck Pain
Neck stiffness and neck pain are often caused by everyday stress. The constantly growing tasks and demands, both professionally and family-related, can increasingly only be managed under great tension. Those who constantly expose themselves to this pressure and do not allow themselves time for relaxation, rest – and thus also neck relaxation and neck exercises – will sooner or later have to deal with muscular tension.
However, this over-tension only becomes apparent to the affected person when significant symptoms of muscular tension are already noticeable. The "package" that each person ties themselves and carries on their shoulders can develop into a tormenting burden due to overloading. To carry this, the shoulders are reflexively pulled upwards. The result can be a painful neck that feels tight and stiff.
Additionally, headaches, dizziness, and radiating pain in the arms and hands can occur. This is then referred to as shoulder-arm syndrome. However, this usually only happens when initial symptoms, such as muscle tension, have been ignored and daily stress continues unchecked. It is also important to know that feelings of any kind manifest in our muscles.
Suppressed emotions, unpleasant experiences, fears, and worries are stored in our muscles and manifest as painful tension, especially in the shoulder and neck area. Heat packs and massages can relieve the symptoms, but this success will only be short-lived if the triggers are not eliminated.
For pain radiating into the arm, trigger point therapy also proves effective. Special attention should be paid to the muscles below the scapula and the M. supraspinatus.
What to Do for Neck Pain from Whiplash?
Neck tension can also have other causes. The well-known whiplash is accompanied by one of the probably most unpleasant forms of neck tension. These manifest in almost all affected individuals as a painful restriction of movement, especially in the rotation of the cervical spine.
The musculature in the neck area reacts immediately to a rear-end collision and begins without delay to protect the suddenly traumatized body section sustainably and consistently. It builds up a greatly increased muscle tone around the affected area, which literally forces the cervical spine into immobility. This condition can last for days to weeks.
In the acute initial phase, intensive physiotherapeutic treatment for neck pain should initially be avoided. This is because the resulting muscle tension represents a holding and protective function for the cervical spine. In the later healing phase, the symptoms – such as a stiff neck or pain in the neck area – can be treated and relieved with heat applications (packs, hot rolls) and massages.
In case of hypersensitivity to touch in the affected area, trust with the patient can first be built through foot reflexology therapy. This is because the fear of possible pain increases muscle tone and thus has a counterproductive effect. In some cases, the patient also needs manual therapy to relieve neck tension.
Neck Pain from Shoulder Injuries – What to Do?
Shoulder injuries can also trigger neck tension or even severe neck pain. As a result of the existing pain, an increasing protective posture can be observed, which can lead to imbalances in the entire upper extremity. The subsequent inactivity of the shoulder joint further worsens the tension in the neck.
Classic neck exercises are not always helpful. Affected individuals usually only find a way out of this vicious circle with professional, physiotherapeutic help. In addition to general physiotherapy, ultrasound, and massages, trigger point therapy can also be used here with visible success.
Thrown Off Balance – How Neck Pain Quickly Arises in Everyday Life
A tense neck often originates from one-sided activities. These can arise both in daily work and due to a lack of compensatory sports in leisure time. If neck tension becomes chronic, an experienced physiotherapist should take the time to look for reasons beyond the affected body region. A leg length discrepancy, a pelvic tilt, or abnormalities in the spine can cause tension in the neck.
The entire body is a unit. So much so that, for example, a flatfoot or splayfoot can trigger severe migraine attacks or be the cause of constant dizziness. If one muscle group is out of alignment, the rest of the body is too. This happens because overlying muscle groups adapt to those below them, and vice versa.
A therapist can, therefore, either continuously offer massages to the patient or truly provide lasting help – for example, with manual therapy or Dorn therapy. Naturally, this is done while simultaneously treating the original problem.
3 Tools for Treating and Preventing Neck Pain
In addition to conventional treatment methods, specially developed tools can help loosen a stiff neck or prevent neck pain in advance. Patients can also use some of these tools independently at home and on the go, outside of their physio appointments.
ARTZT thepro Cranibas – Gentle Stretching for Relaxed Neck Muscles
Developed in collaboration with osteopath and physiotherapist Robert Bordás, based on years of practical experience, the ARTZT thepro Cranibas is an effective therapeutic aid for relaxing neck muscles.
By resting the head on the specially shaped therapy cushion, a gentle pressure and traction is created in the back of the head, similar to flexion and traction by the hands of a physiotherapist. This creates a gentle stretch, and the neck muscles relax. Painful upper cervical joints are relieved and regain mobility. Regular use can often improve users' well-being.
The Cranibas therapy cushion thus offers doctors, physiotherapists, and osteopaths an effective addition to their range of treatments.
ARTZT vitality Duoball – for back and neck massage
Many trigger points are located in the neck muscles, which can be caused by hardened muscles and matted fascia. These in turn can trigger dizziness, headaches or migraines and are often responsible for pain symptoms far away. Precisely because there are many trigger points in the neck area, you can treat them optimally with this smaller massage ball.
Due to the combination of two massage balls, the sustainable cork fascia ball is well suited for pleasantly massaging parallel muscle strands. The ARTZT vitality Duoball adapts to the neck muscles. The recess bypasses bony prominences, especially the spinous processes of the spine. This allows you to easily massage your back, neck, shoulders, arms and legs.
Blackroll Recovery Pillow – the orthopedic neck pillow
The orthopedic neck support pillow is ideal for stomach, side, and back sleepers. The handy relaxation and recovery tool relieves your spine and ensures healthy, restful sleep – even outside your own bed. Recommended by leading sleep experts.
Conclusion: Not All Neck Tension Is Created Equal
So, what to do when your neck is tense? What helps against neck pain? A tense neck muscle has more complex causes than often initially assumed. The reasons for the pain are varied, and each individual treatment must be tailored to the patient's symptoms to ensure lasting success. Especially with non-specific neck pain without an initially recognizable cause, a closer look should be taken.
Whether heat therapy (packs, hot roll, ultrasound), detonizing measures (massages, trigger point therapy), stretches with subsequent strengthening, or foot reflexology therapy – the possibilities for adequately treating neck pain are vast. The chances of speedy improvement are also great!
This article originally appeared on artztthepro.com
Written by Isabel Kunoth
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