Neck and Back Pain
During our lifetime most of us will experience some type of pain or discomfort in the neck or upper back. In many cases the discomfort comes on for no apparent reason and is often felt upon waking in the morning.
This might result from a minor acute injury sustained, for example, from slipping or falling, while sports and activity related injuries can cause painful muscle spasms and loss of motion. Although usually not painful enough to warrant a trip to the emergency room, these kinds of ailments can be debilitating in everyday activities.
At The Body Group, we always start with a detailed assessment that includes a comprehensive questionnaire. This provides us with a background history of activity and previous injury. Personal demographics such as age and sex, diet, sleep habits, and stress levels all factor into the severity of neck and upper back pain.
The manual therapy approach focuses on alleviating mysofascial pain points, or trigger points, that are the source of discomfort. This is accomplished through:
- Deep tissue or trigger point massage.
- Positional release, which can be applied with minimal discomfort for more painful conditions.
Once pain has subsided and motion is restored, lengthening of overly tight tissues and the subsequent strengthening of weak muscles around the spinal joints must be accomplished. In this respect, the systematic protocol of Active Isolated Stretching is extremely effective and consists of:
- Gentle, rhythmic movements at the site of acute injury to aid healing by increasing the flow of both blood and lymph.
- Removal of metabolic waste (another precursor to neck and shoulder pain).
- Aligning and strengthening of the joint to reaffirm appropriate neuromuscular patterns.
Active Isolated Stretch is also an important diagnostic tool in determining more serious or underlying issues that may need to be referred to a physiotherapist or doctor.
Please contact us on 2167 7305 or email jenny@thebodygroup.com to set up an appointment with Adrian Yahvah to evaluate and treat your neck and upper back pain today!
