Osteopathy for Neck Pain & Jaw Pain
Neck pain can be a real pain in the neck! Along with jaw pain, neck pain is something we see every day at Matrix Health & Performance.
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If you're looking for effective and personalised osteopathic treatment for neck and jaw pain in Ivanhoe, look no further than Matrix Health & Performance.
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In our experience, the most common causes of neck and jaw pain are:
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Neck Muscle Strain: Neck muscle strains can occur due to poor posture, overuse, or sudden movements. This can cause pain, stiffness, and difficulty moving the neck. The pain associated with neck muscle strain is generally a dull ache, but can be sharp depending on the severity. The most commonly strained muscles in the neck are the erector spinae and suboccipital muscles.
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Cervical Disc Herniation: A cervical disc herniation occurs when the soft, jelly-like center of a spinal disc pushes out through a tear in the outer, fibrous layer. This can cause pressure on nearby nerves, leading to pain, weakness, or numbness in the neck and down the arms. The pain associated with a cervical disc herniation is often a burning or numbing sensation.
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Cervical Joint Sprain: Cervical joint sprains occur when a joint capsule is overstretched, compressed or otherwise irritated. The pain with cervical joint sprain is often sharp, but localised. A joint sprain in the neck will often cause significantly reduced range of motion, due to the pain associated.
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Arthritis: Arthritis can affect any joint in the body, including the neck. Arthritis can cause pain, stiffness, and limited mobility in the affected joint. The pain associated with arthritis is generally a dull ache, often relieved with movement.
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Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Dysfunction: TMJ dysfunction can occur due to injury, teeth grinding, or stress. This can cause pain, tenderness, and limited range of motion in the jaw joint. The pain associated with TMJ dysfunction can range from a dull ache to a sharp, stabbing pain. Often, TMJ dysfunction can cause a clicking or 'locking' of the joint.
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A recent study from 2022 on osteopathic treatment in neck pain found "significantly better outcomes in the osteopathic manipulative treatment group for reductions in average pain, current pain, disability." It also found "improved secondary outcomes related to sleep, fatigue, and depression." The conclusion states "osteopathic manipulative treatment is relatively safe and effective in reducing pain and disability along with improving sleep, fatigue, and depression in patients with chronic neck pain". Sounds good to us!
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To read about how we manage neck and jaw pain, click here.
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