Neck Pain Relief
in London

A stiff neck and cervical radiculopathy are distinct conditions with different causes, symptoms, and treatment approaches:

Stiff Neck (Cervical Muscle Strain/Spasm):

• Cause: Typically results from muscle tension, poor posture, sleeping in an awkward position, or minor strain from sudden movement
• Main symptoms: Difficulty and pain when turning the head, localized soreness or aching, muscle tightness, and sometimes headache
• Pain location: Usually confined to the neck area, possibly extending to the shoulders
• Duration: Often resolves within a few days to a week with appropriate self-care
• Other characteristics: May be worsened by movement and improved with rest, heat, and gentle stretching

Cervical Radiculopathy (Pinched Nerve):

• Cause: Results from compression or irritation of a nerve root in the cervical spine, often due to herniated disc, bone spurs, or spinal stenosis
• Main symptoms: Radiating pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness that travels from the neck into the shoulder, arm, and sometimes hand or fingers
• Pain location: Follows a specific pattern based on which nerve root is affected (dermatome pattern), often described as sharp, electric, or burning
• Duration: May persist for weeks or months without proper treatment
• Other characteristics: Symptoms may be worsened by certain neck positions or movements that increase nerve compression, and a specific nerve test called the Spurling's test is often positive

Key differences in clinical presentation:

• Radiculopathy involves nerve-related symptoms (numbness, tingling, radiating pain, weakness) whereas a stiff neck primarily involves muscle pain and reduced movement
• Radiculopathy symptoms extend down the arm in a specific pattern while stiff neck symptoms are more localized
• Radiculopathy often affects specific activities like gripping or lifting objects, while a stiff neck mainly affects neck movements

Treatment approaches differ for these conditions, though there is some overlap. A stiff neck often responds well to gentle stretching, heat therapy, and over-the-counter pain relievers. Cervical radiculopathy typically requires a more comprehensive approach potentially including specific nerve mobilization techniques, posture correction, and sometimes medication or injections for nerve pain.

Our specialists can determine which condition you're experiencing through careful assessment and develop an appropriate treatment plan tailored to your specific situation.

Self-manipulation of the neck (neck cracking or self-adjustment) is generally not recommended for several important reasons:

Potential risks of self-manipulation:

• Lack of specificity: When you crack your own neck, you cannot target specific segments that may need adjustment. This often results in movement occurring at segments that are already hypermobile (moving too much), while the restricted segments that actually need mobilization remain unchanged
• Potential for ligament laxity: Frequent self-manipulation can lead to stretched ligaments and increased joint instability over time, potentially worsening your condition
• Risk of improper technique: Without proper training, self-manipulation can involve excessive force or inappropriate angles, potentially causing soft tissue injury
• Not addressing underlying causes: Temporary relief from self-cracking may mask underlying issues like poor posture, muscle imbalances, or joint dysfunction that need proper assessment and treatment
• Rare but serious complications: In extremely rare cases, forceful self-manipulation has been associated with vascular injuries or neurological complications

Why people feel the urge to crack their neck:

The desire to crack your neck often stems from temporary tension, pressure, or stiffness. When you manipulate your neck, the "pop" or "crack" sound comes from gas bubbles forming in the joint fluid, and this action can temporarily relieve tension and trigger endorphin release, providing momentary relief. However, this often creates a cycle where you feel the need to crack your neck with increasing frequency as the underlying issues remain unaddressed.

Better alternatives:

• Gentle range of motion exercises: Slowly moving your neck through comfortable ranges of motion without forcing
• Targeted stretching: Specific stretches for tight muscles identified by a healthcare professional
• Strengthening exercises: Building strength in the deep neck flexors and other supporting muscles
• Heat therapy: Using a warm towel or heating pad to relax tight muscles
• Posture correction: Addressing the root cause of tension through improved ergonomics and posture
• Professional assessment: Seeking treatment from qualified practitioners who can identify and address the underlying causes of your neck discomfort

If you find yourself frequently wanting to crack your neck, it's a sign that your neck needs proper assessment and treatment rather than temporary self-manipulation. Our specialists can provide appropriate manual therapy when indicated, along with a comprehensive approach to resolve the underlying causes of your neck discomfort for long-term relief.

Yes, neck pain can definitely cause headaches and dizziness through several mechanisms. Understanding these connections helps explain why comprehensive neck treatment often improves these seemingly unrelated symptoms.

Neck-Related Headaches (Cervicogenic Headaches):

• Mechanism: Pain signals from structures in the upper cervical spine (joints, muscles, ligaments) refer pain to the head due to shared nerve pathways
• Characteristics:
  • Often one-sided headache that begins in the neck/base of the skull and radiates forward
  • Pain triggered or worsened by neck movements or sustained postures
  • Associated neck stiffness, reduced range of motion, or tenderness
  • May be aggravated after prolonged reading, computer use, or driving
• Common causes: Joint dysfunction in the upper cervical spine, muscle tension/trigger points in the suboccipital muscles, poor posture (forward head posture), or whiplash injuries

Neck-Related Dizziness (Cervicogenic Dizziness):

• Mechanisms: Several ways neck dysfunction can contribute to dizziness:
  • Proprioceptive disturbance: Dysfunction in neck joint receptors that help coordinate head and eye movements and maintain balance
  • Vertebral artery compression: Certain neck positions or muscle spasm affecting blood flow through arteries that supply the brain's balance centers
  • Reflex connections: Neural connections between neck receptors and the vestibular (balance) system in the brain
• Characteristics:
  • Typically described as a sense of unsteadiness, lightheadedness, or disequilibrium rather than true spinning vertigo
  • Often provoked or worsened by neck movements or specific head positions
  • Associated with neck pain, stiffness, or tenderness
  • May be accompanied by visual disturbances or difficulty concentrating
• Common causes: Whiplash injuries, cervical joint dysfunction, muscle tension/spasm, poor posture, or degenerative changes in the neck

How we approach these conditions:

When headaches or dizziness have a cervical origin, treating the underlying neck dysfunction is essential for resolving these symptoms. Our approach includes:

• Thorough assessment to determine if headaches and/or dizziness are originating from the neck
• Manual therapy techniques to improve joint mobility in the upper cervical spine
• Soft tissue techniques to address muscle tension and trigger points
• Specific exercises to improve neck proprioception and balance
• Posture correction and ergonomic advice to reduce strain on the neck
• Graduated exposure to movements or positions that provoke symptoms (in a controlled manner)

It's important to note that while neck dysfunction can cause headaches and dizziness, other serious conditions can also present with these symptoms. Our specialists perform careful screening to determine when referral to other healthcare providers is appropriate for further investigation.