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Neck pain, a common discomfort in Singapore, affects the region below your head, around the upper spine. It can manifest as anything from mild tension to severe conditions that may necessitate professional attention. Determining the underlying cause is crucial, as it will guide whether simple lifestyle modifications or physiotherapy are needed. For appropriate care and management of your neck pain, consulting a physiotherapist is recommended.
Clinic Director and Chief Physiotherapist
Hong Kai has been practising musculoskeletal physiotherapy for more than a decade. He is the first Singaporean to achieve dual credentials as both an APA Titled Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist and a tertiary-trained Exercise Scientist.
Hong Kai's broad and extensive skill set allows him to create solutions that are simple, effective, and tailored to a client’s musculoskeletal needs. His belief in continuing education and self-improvement led him to complete his Master’s in Clinical Physiotherapy (Musculoskeletal), where he had the opportunity to participate in formal research into knee osteoarthritis under the supervision of world-renowned researcher and physiotherapist Prof. Peter O’Sullivan.
Hong Kai has experience treating a variety of musculoskeletal conditions, with a specific focus on addressing lower back, neck, shoulder, and knee pain.
Physiotherapy aims to address the root causes of your neck pain, offering strategies for both managing pain and achieving long-term improvement. It typically focuses on:
Neck pain often arises from a complex interplay within the cervical spine, muscles, joints, and ligaments. Due to the interconnected nature of human anatomy, discomfort in one area can lead to pain elsewhere. Physiotherapy for neck pain tailors treatment to the specific cause, which generally falls into one of three categories:
The neck’s structure includes vertebrae separated by discs, aiding their interaction. Misalignment or injury to these discs or vertebrae can compress nerves, causing neck pain.
Neck muscles on the front, back, and sides can cause pain when strained or torn. Treatment typically involves rest, medication, physiotherapy, and applying heat or ice.
During a treatment consultation, common diagnoses for neck pain include:
A herniated disc happens when the soft centre of a spinal disc pushes through a tear in the tougher exterior, pinching a nearby nerve. This bulging disc then exerts pressure on a spinal nerve, leading to neck pain.
Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) develops from the natural ageing and wear of spinal discs. Physical therapy plays a crucial role in helping to relieve neck pain associated with DDD, with physiotherapists employing personalised techniques such as pain management, manual therapy, targeted exercises for muscle strengthening and flexibility, postural corrections, ergonomic advice, motor control exercises, and lifestyle adjustments to manage symptoms and pain.
Whiplash-associated disorders (WAD) happen when your neck is suddenly jerked back and forth, such as during:
Physiotherapy is key in managing neck pain from WAD. It may involve:
Cervical spondylosis is where “bone spurs” (extra bits of bone) grow on the spine due to wear and tear as we age. These bone spurs can sometimes press on nerves or the spinal cord, causing neck pain.
Treatment for cervical spondylosis may include:
Mental stress can cause your neck muscles to tighten up, leading to pain and stiffness. Physiotherapy can help relieve this tension through:
Repetitive neck strain happens when you overuse the muscles in your neck repeatedly. This is common in jobs that involve repetitive manual labour or sports with repetitive movements like swimming and heavy lifting.
Physiotherapy can be beneficial in reducing neck pain and improving function in cases of repetitive strain. It typically focuses on:
Poor posture, often developed from spending long periods hunched over at work, looking down at your phone, or sleeping in awkward positions, can lead to neck muscle pain.
Physiotherapy can be very beneficial in managing neck pain caused by poor posture. It may include:
Common symptoms associated with neck pain that are often discussed during treatment consultations include:
Headaches, particularly cervicogenic headaches, are often symptoms of neck pain. These headaches manifest as a dull ache at the upper neck and back of the head, usually caused by muscle tightness or tension in the neck and shoulders. Physiotherapy treatment focusing on the underlying causes can help alleviate these headaches.
A stiff neck often goes hand-in-hand with neck pain. It can make it hard to move your head and neck, making it very uncomfortable and difficult to do everyday tasks. This stiffness can be caused by muscle strain, tension, poor posture, or sudden injuries. Sometimes, it can even be a sign of a more serious problem. If you have a stiff neck along with pain, it’s important to see a physiotherapist. They can assess your condition and create a personalised treatment plan to help ease your symptoms.
Neck pain can feel different for everyone. You might experience:
It’s important to describe your symptoms accurately to your doctor or physiotherapist so they can properly diagnose the cause of your neck pain and recommend the most appropriate treatment for you.
Physiotherapy offers a range of methods to address neck pain, typically combining various techniques to provide comprehensive care. Your treatment plan will be tailored to your specific needs and the underlying cause of your pain. Common approaches include:
When experiencing uncomfortable symptoms related to neck pain, it is important to avoid self-diagnosing and comparing your experience to others. Instead, consult a physiotherapy clinic in Singapore, such as Benchmark Physio. They can conduct a detailed consultation and analysis to accurately diagnose the issue. Seeking treatment early or receiving a consultation can significantly minimise the negative impact of a debilitating condition on your life.
Physiotherapy treatment for neck pain is generally considered safe and is often recommended as a first-line treatment. However, like any medical treatment, it carries potential risks. During the initial consultation, licensed and qualified physiotherapists will discuss the risks and benefits with you in detail. Although generally minimal, possible risks include temporary muscle soreness, increased pain or discomfort, and temporary numbness or tingling.
Physiotherapists diagnose neck pain through a comprehensive and personalised assessment process. This typically includes a thorough examination of your neck to assess range of motion, strength, flexibility, and neurological functions. The assessment often involves an in-depth interview to gather details about your daily activities, aggravating factors, and other relevant aspects of your condition.
Based on the results of these assessments, the physiotherapist develops a customised treatment plan aimed at addressing the underlying cause of the neck pain, alleviating symptoms, and preventing recurrence. This plan may include therapeutic interventions such as exercises, manual therapy, modalities like heat or ice, and education on posture and ergonomics. Progress is closely monitored, and the treatment plan is adjusted as needed to achieve the best possible outcomes.
To help prevent neck pain in the future, consider the following:
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