Dublin based
Acupuncture & Shiatsu
Specialist

Neck Problems

Neck Problems

January 6th, 2013 | Posted in 2 Pain, Injuries, Sports

Symptoms can include:— headaches, neck and shoulder pain, low back pain, unexplained fatigue, spinal stiffness, digestive complaints, lowered energy, and a general feeling of malaise.

Whiplash  can be due to:  due to a fall; a knock; sports injuries— causing damaged ligaments, muscles or joints. It can also be due to head traumas or a sudden, violent snapping of the neck forward and back as in a car accident.

Trauma Pattern: The spine may be twisted or jammed in various places causing a trauma pattern. Most of the time the body will heal itself and unravel the trauma pattern so that the person can lead a healthy and pain free life.   But, sometimes, with whiplash, the pattern may be so strong that the body may not be able to heal itself properly.  This will lead to long-term problems of reduced health and may leave the person with aches and pains that last for months or years. In a person who already has poor health, bad posture, a history of poor nutrition, long term stress or previously unresolved neck problems, their weakened system cannot cope with even a small trauma. Having poor health also means that the body will find it more difficult to heal itself.  The body has a great way of compensating for whiplash. Though the whiplash pattern may not be fully healed, the body will support and work around the injured area and the person does not feel any pain.

Sometimes, as the person ages, has more stresses or has another knock, the body’s ability to work and compensate may begin to fail.  Stiffness and pain in the body may come back to haunt that person months or years after the first injury.

ACUPUNCTURE

When the body is struggling through a whiplash there is a need for outside help.  Often the whole spine needs to be treated, including the lower back, hips and legs. The body is a whole unit and a knock to one part influences the whole body—physically, mentally and emotionally.

 

Acupuncture, together with massage and gentle neck exercises, can greatly relieve many of these symptoms, enourage the body’s own healing process and restore balance to the person, physically, mentally and emotionally.

General  Rules for care of the neck.

  • When sitting for prolonged periods you must sit correctly with the low back supported by a  lumbar roll and the head retracted.
  • When sitting for prolonged periods, regular interruption of prolonged neck bending is essential, this can be achieved by retracting the head and extending the neck five or six times at regular intervals.
  • After vigorous activity you should retract the head and extend the neck 5 or 6 times.  If you sit down to rest, you should avoid the protruded head posture.
  • When working with head and neck in a static position, you should at regular intervals interrupt this position by assuming the correct posture.