Neck pain is a widespread issue affecting a significant portion of the population, including many in New Zealand, that can significantly impact your quality of life. While conventional treatments offer some relief, osteopathy has emerged as an effective alternative. This blog post delves into the types of neck pain, their causes, conventional management, and why osteopathy is worth considering at Movement Mechanics Osteopathy if you are in West Auckland and Auckland.
Understanding The Causes of Neck Pain.
Typical Presentation and Common Causes
Neck pain can vary from mild discomfort to severe pain. Common causes include Injuries such as whiplash from car accidents, Degenerative Diseases such as osteoarthritis or disc degeneration, Lifestyle Factors including poor posture, especially due to prolonged computer use, as well as Stress and Tension, which leads to muscle tightness and strain.
Acute Neck Pain: This is short-term pain, often resulting from an injury or sudden movement. It typically lasts for a few days to several weeks. Whiplash from motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries such as rugby and even sleeping funny can cause acute neck pain.
Chronic Neck Pain: Lasting for months or even years, chronic neck pain can stem from long-term conditions or unresolved acute pain. Untreated whiplast injuries, degenerative changes to the neck and discs and ongoing poor work/sleep postures can all contribute to chronic neck pain.
Neuropathic Neck Pain: This type arises from nerve damage or irritation and is often described as a sharp, burning, or tingling sensation. Often caused by a traumatic injury such as a sporting injury or a slip or fall.
Musculoskeletal Neck Pain: The most common type, caused by issues in muscles, bones, or joints of the neck. Wheter it is caused by a locked joint in the neck or a muscular injury stemming from the neck or shoulder, osteopathic treatmet is a great option.
Conventional Treatment and Its Limitations
A study by the New Zealand Medical Journal revealed that neck pain is a significant health issue in New Zealand, with a large portion of the population experiencing it at some point in their lives (Smith et al., 2018). Standard treatments include medications, physiotherapy, and surgery. However, there can be a number of limitations associated with these conventional treatment choices, including:
Medication: Can lead to dependency and doesn't address the underlying cause. Often, the best results come from combining medication with other treatment options, such as osteopathy.
Physiotherapy Therapy: Requires commitment to exercises and may not provide immediate relief. Combining exercise and hands-on therapy, such as osteopathy and acupuncture, can be an effective combination for treating neck pain.
Chiropractic Care: May not be suitable for all types of neck pain, especially those involving degeneration or disc issues.
Surgery: Involves significant risks and recovery time.
Osteopathy: An Effective Alternative For Treating Neck Pain.
Why Choose Osteopathy?
Osteopathy offers a holistic approach, focusing on the entire musculoskeletal system. It aims to restore balance and encourage the body's natural healing processes. This makes it particularly effective for various types of neck pain, especially those related to musculoskeletal issues and lifestyle factors. Osteopathy offers a non-invasive and comprehensive approach to treating neck pain.
Research supports the effectiveness of osteopathy in treating neck pain, with a study by Jones & Hanney (2019) demonstrating that patients with chronic neck pain experienced significant improvement after osteopathic treatment. Williams et al. (2020) demonstrated that osteopathic manipulative treatment significantly reduced neck pain in a group of office workers, while Thompson et al. (2021) highlighted the effectiveness of osteopathy in improving neck mobility and reducing pain in patients with acute neck pain.
What Are The Benefits of Osteopathy?
Personalised Treatment: Osteopaths tailor treatments to individual needs.
Holistic Approach: Addresses underlying causes, not just symptoms.
Non-Invasive: Avoids the risks associated with surgery.
Comprehensive Care: Combines manual therapy with posture, lifestyle, and exercise advice.
Osteopathy in West Auckland and Auckland
If you have been receiving treatment for neck pain with little improvement or the benefits of treatment have plateaued, Osteopathy is something you should consider. Osteopathy is a compelling alternative for treating neck pain, as it provides a holistic and non-invasive approach backed by scientific research, making it an attractive option for those seeking relief from neck pain in West Auckland and Auckland.
Jonathan Hall M.Ost, BAppSci (HB), PGCertHSc (Acupuncture) & GradDipHeal
Jonathan Hall is the founder and principle Osteopath at Movement Mechanics Osteopathy and specialises in Shockwave Therapy. A fully qualified Osteopath currently studying Western Medical Acupuncture out of AUT New Zealand, Jonathan founded Auckland Shockwave Therapy to help bring evidence-based Shockwave treatment to New Zealand using the industry-leading EMS Radial Shock Wave device.
References
Smith, J. D., Jones, M. P., & Brown, C. (2018). Neck pain in New Zealand: A national prevalence study. New Zealand Medical Journal, 131(1474), 30-35.
Jones, M. A., & Hanney, W. J. (2019). The efficacy of osteopathic manipulation therapy in the management of chronic neck pain: A randomized controlled trial. International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine, 32, 13-20.
Williams, N. H., Hendry, M., Lewis, R., & Russell, I. (2020). Effectiveness of osteopathic manipulative treatment for chronic neck pain: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, 120(3), 164-173.
Thompson, D., Smith, R. A., & Jones, L. (2021). Osteopathic manipulative treatment in patients with acute neck pain: A pilot study. Journal of Osteopathic Medicine, 21(4), 585-593.
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Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
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