About this disease
What it concerns
Structural changes (e.g. osteoarthritis), poor posture/misuse or overloading can irritate the joints of the cervical spine and thus cause pain. The neck muscles usually react to this with tension, which can also be painful. With neck pain, it is important to find out what triggers the discomfort. The most common causes are osteoarthritis, a herniated disc, functional instability, an acutely blocked neck or poor posture.
Symptoms and consequences
The pain is usually localized to the neck, but may radiate to the head, face, or arms, depending on the cause of the problem. In addition to the pain, dizziness may occur, the cause of which should be determined by a physician. Sensory disturbances or a loss of strength in the arms or hands that are noticeable in connection with the neck pain should also be examined.
What we do for you
Examination and diagnosis
During the patient interview, the symptoms and pain behavior are recorded in detail in order to get to the bottom of the cause of the neck pain. The clinical examination usually reveals limited head mobility and tense and pressure-sensitive neck muscles. Depending on the problem, it may be useful to perform an imaging examination (X-ray or MRI).
Treatment
For neck pain, we recommend physiotherapy treatment. Manual techniques on the cervical spine can improve the mobility of the head. Soft tissue techniques or dry needling can be used to release tight muscles, and the application of heat can provide additional relief. Postural instructions, relaxation exercises, and training of the neck and shoulder girdle muscles should also be incorporated into therapy.