Neck Pain (Cervical Pain) can, like low back pain, come from more than one type of anatomical structure. Typically in younger patients seen in clinic, neck pain can predominantly be muscular in origin or from restricted joints. The trapezius muscle is a large muscle that spreads over the back, across the shoulders and up to the neck forming a kite shape. The upper part of the trapezius muscle can be responsible for much muscular neck and shoulder pains. Typically the muscles are in spasm and tender to firm touch. Neck pain can be treated with Osteopathy (including advice on posture) and western/medical acupunture into the muscles that are causing pain. Muscular neck pains can often be brought on and perpetuated by the things that people do on a day to day basis. For this reason ensuring workstations are set up correctly both at work and at home is important for those who spend a lot of time using computers. Advice can be provided on your specific desk set up to address problems and advise on changes that will improve posture.

In older patients neck pain is more likely to come from bony structures of the neck. The source of pain can be the small joints between vertebrae called the facet joints. These joints can be mobilised or manipulated to improve range of movement. Acupuncture is also effective at proving relief of neck pain. 

Often pain from the neck can radiate down the arm and even to the hand where the nerves are being squeezed in the neck.