Neck and shoulder pain can develop suddenly or gradually and may be associated with stiffness, restricted movement, headaches or pain travelling into the arm or upper back.
There are many possible causes, including irritation of the joints and muscles of the neck, prolonged or repetitive activities, disc-related problems and irritation of spinal nerves.
At Dublin 2 Chiropractic, we regularly assess and treat patients with both acute and persistent neck and shoulder pain. Treatment may include chiropractic care, exercise and, particularly for some disc-related problems, non-surgical spinal decompression.
Neck and shoulder pain can arise from several different structures, including the joints, muscles, discs and nerves of the neck and upper back.
Common causes and contributing factors include:
Symptoms may include stiffness, restricted movement, aching or sharp pain, headaches, or pain travelling into the shoulder, arm or upper back. When a spinal nerve is irritated, symptoms can also include tingling, numbness or weakness in the arm or hand.
Your symptoms and physical examination help us identify the likely source of the problem and determine the most appropriate treatment approach.
Your first appointment begins with a consultation to understand your symptoms, how the problem developed and how it is affecting your movement, work and everyday activities.
This is followed by a physical examination, which may include assessment of your neck, upper back and shoulder movement, spinal and joint function, orthopaedic testing and neurological testing where appropriate.
The examination helps us identify the likely source of your symptoms and allows us to recommend a treatment plan based on your individual findings.
Occasionally, examination findings may indicate that a neck or shoulder problem requires further investigation or another form of care, which is one reason we carry out an appropriate examination before beginning treatment.
Treatment is tailored to the likely cause of your symptoms, your examination findings and how the problem is affecting your movement and daily activities.
Chiropractic treatment: Chiropractic adjustments and mobilisation can be used to improve movement in the neck, upper back and surrounding joints, reduce pain and improve function.
Exercise and movement advice: Exercises may be recommended to help restore movement, strength and confidence as your symptoms improve.
Spinal decompression: When neck pain is associated with a disc-related problem or nerve irritation, non-surgical spinal decompression may form part of the treatment programme.
Your progress is reassessed throughout care so that treatment can be adjusted according to how your pain, movement and function are responding.
Neck pain and restricted neck movement can sometimes occur alongside headaches. In some patients, structures in the neck can contribute to headache symptoms, particularly when headaches are associated with neck stiffness or restricted movement.
When headaches form part of the problem, we assess the movement and function of the neck alongside your other symptoms. You can learn more about our approach to headaches and chiropractic care.
If you are experiencing acute, persistent or recurring neck or shoulder pain, we can assess the problem, explain what we think is contributing to your symptoms and recommend an appropriate treatment plan.
Your first appointment includes a consultation and physical examination, followed by an explanation of our findings and recommended treatment options.
Dublin 2 Chiropractic is located at 79 Merrion Square South, Dublin 2, overlooking Merrion Square.