+ Why do I get a headache when my neck hurts?

It is common for patients to report headaches with neck pain. There are many causes of headaches, however a common cause is from muscle tension and trigger points that refer pain to the head. These headaches often start at the base of the skull and can travel to the front of the head. It may be time to re-assess your work station or sleeping position!

+ Why does my neck click?

Your neck is made up of 7 vertebra that are connected together by small joints. The clicking sound is normally tiny gas bubbles being released from the joints and is completely normal. It can also be caused by ligaments or tendons moving over bones. Neck clicking is usually painless and doesn’t represent anything serious, however if it occurs after trauma and is painful, it could indicate something more serious and should be examined.

+ Why do I have a hump at the bottom of my neck?

It is common to develop a small ‘hump’ at the bottom of the neck. This is mostly due to poor posture, known as ‘forward head posture’. The body responds to this posture and tries to fix the joints in a different position or tightens the muscles locally to adapt to the posture. Stretches, Osteopathy and postural changes can help!

+ Why does my neck hurt when I use my phone?

Phone usage can be a common cause of neck pain, so much so it has been labelled the term “text neck!”. This is a repetitive stress injury caused by prolonged use of our phone, where our head is bent downwards and not moved. Small muscles that run along our necks have to support our head in this position and become tired, causing pain. If this continues, the muscles can tighten and restrict the joints from moving, causing us to feel stiff. Your Osteopath will assess your neck and identify which areas are responsible, as well as show you ways in which you can use your phone without being in pain.