SHARES
Almost every person with a desk-bound job experience aching neck and shoulders including headaches periodically. This is especially true when work gets stressful and there is not enough sleep. Neck pain can also result from an injury. For example, whiplash from a traffic accident, or falling asleep in an awkward position waking up with a stiff neck
Apart from pain in the neck, some may also experience pain around the shoulder blades, or in the arms. In addition, you may experience some numbness and tingling sensations in the hands and fingers also. In such a case, there is usually some concern over whether this is due to a ‘pinched nerve’.
Proper Assessment of Aching Neck and Shoulder is Essential
As an osteopath working in the Central Business District, I tend to see many patients with posture-related aching neck and shoulders pain. Most of these patients have tried to cope with stop-gap measures. These range from sticking menthol plasters all over their backs, rubbing ointments and balms 24/7, buying expensive buckwheat pillows, to even getting their children to step over them! Their bodies are clearly calling out for some relief!
It is essential to carry a proper assessment to rule out any significant structural damage/ degeneration or nerve compression. In the majority of cases, the source of persistent neck and shoulder aches is not serious. Namely, it involves stiff joints and the tight muscles are amenable to manual treatment.
What’s The Problem With ” Muscle Knots”?
One relatively under-diagnosed source of pain comes from myofascial trigger points, or ‘muscle knots’. These are over-contracted muscle fibres and they feel nodular within the muscle tissue. When pressure is applied, these points can produce localised pain or refer to surrounding areas. The diagram below shows the upper trapezius muscle with the common pain patterns from these muscle knots.
Upper trapezius muscle knots trigger points with the common pain patterns
The problem with these trigger points is that they can linger on as dormant knots even when the pain has subsided. Subsequently, only to recur when movement or postural strain activates them. They also do not disappear with pain medication or muscle relaxants. By far, the most effective way to treat trigger points is to manually loosen these knots or stimulate their release with dry needling. These methods are time and cost-effective and only cause mild to moderate discomfort when administered by a trained professional.
When these muscle knots are released, patients will be taught stretches and strengthening exercises that specifically target involved muscle tissues to minimise the problem from recurring. Osteopathy is also about preventative long-term care, apart from short-term pain relief.
Acknowledgement: This article is contributed by The PainFree Clinic 10 Sinaran Drive #09 – 09 Novena Medical Center, Singapore 307506
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by Yashwini Ravindranath
Born & raised in Malaysia, Yashwini earned her M.D. studying in Moscow's Russian National Research Medical University. With an affiliation towards research, all things coffee and the startup ecosystem, she now contributes articles to GetDocSays View all articles by Yashwini Ravindranath.
