HOW TO MANAGE NECK PAIN IN SPALDING, LINCOLNSHIRE

Neck pain can be an uncomfortable and distressing experience, often leading to headaches and shoulder discomfort that affects daily life. It can be hard to find reliable information about how the neck works, but at State 11, we're Level Five soft tissue therapists and RAPID NeuroFascial Reset specialists, and we're here to tell you about how your neck works, and what you can do when it hurts to try and make it feel better, and when you need professional help. 

 

All About The Anatomy Of Your Neck

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The medical name for the neck is the "cervical spine", and it's made up of seven vertebrae (small bones that stack on top of each other, separated by strong circular pieces of tissue known as discs) that sit on top of the spinal column.

The vertebrae are surrounded by various nerves, blood vessels, ligaments, tendons, and muscles, connecting your neck to your head, back, shoulders, and chest.

This combination of cervical vertebrae, nerves, ligaments, tendons, muscles allow the neck to move round (called rotation) and back and forward (flexion).
 

Common Causes And Types Of Neck Pain

 

There are seven main types of neck pain, all slightly different. 

• Spasming Muscle Pain: Commonly experienced as stiffness and soreness upon waking, caused by neck muscles going into spasm due to uncomfortable sleeping positions or stress.
   

• Facet Joint Neck Pain: Described as deep, aching pain that worsens with specific movements, often experienced by individuals with arthritis after periods of inactivity.
   

• Neck Pain Due to Headaches: Tension and strain in scalp and facial muscles leading to headaches radiating into the neck, often intensified with head or neck movements.
   

• Neck Pain Due to Nerve Issues: Irritation or entrapment of nerves from cervical spine, resulting in sharp fleeting pain or persistent tingling sensations (pins and needles).
   

• Referred Pain in the Neck: Pain in the neck caused by issues in other parts of the body, such as the oesophagus, manifesting during certain activities like eating or exercising.
   

• Bone Pain in the Neck: Rare, requiring assessment by a doctor to rule out serious underlying causes.
   

• Neck Pain Due to Ageing: Known as cervical spondylosis, a normal part of ageing that may not always result in pain but can be managed with exercise and soft tissue therapy.

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Treating Your Neck Pain At Home

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If you want to try to treat your neck pain at home, then applying heat is a good first step for most types of neck pain. The advice about applying ice is now seen as outdated (see our page about treating soft tissue injuries here). This can feel extremely comforting for spasming neck pain. 

Depending on your own medical tolerances, you can also try using painkillers. Anti-inflammatories can slow healing, but non-anti-inflammatories can still reduce pain. These should only be taken if you know you are able to, and if you're not sure if you can take painkillers, you should speak to your GP or pharmacist. 

 

Moving your neck may feel like the last thing you want to, but gently stretching the neck can help restore mobility, especially when combined with heat. Moving your neck can also reduce the possibility of stiff or sore muscles through the upper back or shoulders caused by keeping your neck immobile. 

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A visit to your GP may be something you consider for your neck pain. Depending on your symptoms and the policy at your surgery, you may find yourself being referred to a physiotherapist, either at your surgery in person, or over the phone. 

 

If Home Treatment Doesn't Work

 

If you decide to seek private, professional help, here at State 11, we offer personalised, professional treatment for various types of neck pain, including spasm relief, joint mobility enhancement, and nerve pain management. We'll use techniques like RAPID NeuroFascial Reset, kinesiology taping, cupping and instrument assisted massage to target and alleviate your neck pain quickly effectively.

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We'll Work With You To Help Get Back To Living Your Life

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Is neck pain controlling your life? We're committed to understanding your unique needs and providing specialised soft tissue therapy techniques to address your neck pain effectively.

Take the first step towards a pain-free life by booking an appointment with us today and reclaiming control over your neck health.