Here at Revive Physiotherapy and Sports Injury clinic we treat a variety of neck and shoulder pain, injuries and complaints including:
Whiplash:
Whiplash is a neck injury which occurs when there is a sudden movement of the head. Most cases improve within 2 to 3 months, however some injuries may last years if untreated. Some of the most common symptoms of whiplash include headaches, neck and shoulder pain or stiffness and muscles spasms in the neck, shoulders and arms. It is important to remember than these symptoms can take a few hours to manifest after the injury has occurred. If you suspect that you are suffering from whiplash you can take over the counter pain medication and make an appointment for physiotherapy treatment to help speed up your recovery.
Cervicogenic Headache:
Headaches, and related pain, caused by a problem with the neck are called Cervicogenic Headaches. These can be disc or soft tissue related, and while they are rarely a cause for concern, it is always a safer option to refer to a physiotherapist to rule out more nefarious reasons for headaches. The most common symptoms of a cervicogenic headache include, but are not limited to, reduced range of movement in the neck or pain with movements, one side dominant headaches, or headaches that resolve as your neck pain resolves and a weakness in the neck muscles/pain when pressing the neck muscles. Physiotherapy is highly effective in treating these headaches by using manual therapy to assess and treat the root cause.
Muscle Tension Due To Poor Posture:
Poor posture can trigger the body to tighten certain muscles in order to create more stability and strength. This tightness can lead to increased muscle tension, which in turn may lead to neck and shoulder pain. Your physiotherapist will be able to relieve the pain and stiffness caused by poor posture, and will be able to help you to prevent a reoccurrence by strengthening your core, giving advice on helpful equipment, such as office chairs or car inserts. They will also recommend home exercises to help you to improve your posture in the long term.
Arthritis:
Physiotherapy plays an important part of treatment for arthritis. Many people think that exercising with arthritis will exacerbate their arthritis, however it is well known among healthcare professionals that exercise and movement can actually help to alleviate some of the symptoms associated with arthritis. with rehab type strength work, hands on massage techniques and home exercises it is entirely possible to manage the symptoms of arthritis.
Shoulder impingement/ Rotator Cuff Tears
Shoulder impingement is a very common cause of shoulder pain. When a tendon inside your shoulder rubs or catches on nearby tissue or bone as you lift your arm, this can result in pain or discomfort. That rubbing leads to more inflammation and irritation, and the cycle continues. Shoulder impingements are often seen in patients who play sports such as tennis, volleyball and swimming. Occupations where the shoulder is raised above the body regularly, such as window cleaning or painting, also have a higher chance of shoulder impingement. Physiotherapy is the most effective treatment for shoulder impingement syndrome, your physiotherapist will teach you stretching exercises to improve flexibility and range of motion. As the pain lessens, it will be important to begin strengthening exercises to improve rotator cuff muscles.
AC Joint Sprain:
An AC joint sprain can be quite painful, the joint normally takes up to 6 weeks to heal, however, the soft tissue injuries can persist for up to 3 months. An AC joint sprain usually occurs after a sudden fall onto the shoulder. If you have received a fall onto the shoulder, which resulted in decreased range of motion and pain, it is important to make an appointment with a physiotherapist. This is also true if you have noticed a bump over the AC joint at the top of the shoulder, or pain which is not improving with rest and ice.
An AC joint injury can also occur due to ‘wear and tear’, resulting in arthritis in the joint. This is especially common in labourers, weightlifters and others who play contact sports.
Frozen Shoulder:
A frozen shoulder means that the shoulder area is stiff and painful for a long period of time. Symptoms typically begin slowly, then get worse. A frozen shoulder will sometimes resolve on its own, however it is quite slow, with the ‘thawing’ phase lasting up to 24 months. Frozen shoulder may be worse at night, resulting in disturbed sleep patterns. Physiotherapy is again the most common treatment for frozen shoulder, including a range of motion exercises to loosen and then strengthen the shoulder. One of the most common causes of frozen shoulder is reduced movement due to a shoulder injury, broken arm or stroke. If you have experienced any of these, a visit to your physiotherapist will help to prevent you developing a frozen shoulder.