Neck Pain
Firstly, we need to address the causes of neck pain.
Do they have any referred symptoms?
Do they have symptoms in their arms, hands or fingers?
Neck Pain Questionnaire
Let's say a client comes to see you. After saying hello, how are you etc my
first question is always
Me: "How may I help you?"
Client: "I have neck pain'
Further questions should be directed along these lines
" Where exactly is the pain?"
"Do you know how you did it? For example, did you do something
and feel it hurt?”
"How long have you had it for?"
"Is the pain getting better, staying the same or getting worse?"
"Have you had this problem before?"
"Do you have any symptoms such as pain, numbness and/or tingling
across your shoulder, into your arms, forearms or hands/fingers?"
"Does it hurt worse if you slouch/sit in poor posture or sit reading for
a long time, or driving or even when you are at the computer?”
“Does it hurt to move your head in any particular direction?”
"Are you generally better when you are up and about walking
around?"
"Have you had any other treatment for this?"
"Are you taking any medications for the pain?"
By questioning your client like this you will then get a good picture of their
condition, when it feels better or worse, if they have neck pain with arm
symptoms or not and then when you are seeing them again for the next
treatment you can then once again ask them things such as:
"Hi, how is your neck feeling?"
"Do you still have symptoms in your arms/hands?"
"Are you still on medications?"
And so on and so forth.
As i have said, this is not a comprehensive questionnaire as such but it will
give you a good idea of how they were when you first saw them and if they
are now feeling improvement since the last time.
Address the major causes of neck pain-The
forward head posture
Acupressure
With your client face down:
Work along the back from the neck and go out about half an inch from the
spine. Have your thumbs on top of the muscle belly. Have the person
breathe in as they then breathe out, you push down. You can do each
press per breath or press whilst they do several breaths.
Now, work slightly lateral to the first meridian which is around about the
lateral edge of the erector spinae muscles. Make sure that your presses
are not jagged. Slowly down on the outbreath and slowly up on the
inbreath.
Get feedback to about your pressure from your client.
You can also work areas that are sensitive called áshi' points
With your client face up:
Use your fingers along the base of the skull, then GB 21 which is midway
between the shoulder and the base of the neck on the high point of the
muscle.
Use some traction on the neck, leaning back.
You can also treat them sitting up.
Specific Acupressure Points
Here are some acupressure points to be treated:
B10
This point is positioned on the back of the neck, one-half inch below the
base of the skill, on the muscles located on the outer side of the spine. It is
also one of the acupressure points that relieves stress and exhaustion that
also aids in relaxing and clearing the head and bringing thoughts to rest.
Apply firm pressure on the muscles of 1 minute as you breathe deeply.
GV16
Acupressure point GV16 or Governing Vessel 16 is yet another vital
pressure point used in the treatment of neck problems. This point is also
called the Wind Mansion, and it can be found in the center of the back of
the head, in a large hollow under the base of the skull. In order to stimulate
this point tilt your head back and press firmly into this hollow for 1 minute
while keeping your eyes closed and breathing deeply.
GB20
GB20 or Gall Bladder 20 is a popular acupressure point for relieving
migraine, headache, blurred vision, low energy, fatigue and symptoms of
cold and flu. This point is also called the Gates of Consciousness, and it is
situated below the base of the skull, in the hollow between the two vertical
neck muscles. 2 to 3 inches apart based on the side of the head.
This point should be stimulated using the thumbs. Press your thumbs
gradually and firmly under the base of your skull for 1 minute
Pain Points
For any pain in the body, you could always use also: L.I.4 and Liv. 3
LI 4 is a very common and the best point for headaches.
It is useful for any condition related to the face and head.
nywhere there is pain, use LI
LI 4 is known as the pain point in the body. A
4. (DO NOT USE IF PREGNANT)
It is located on the back of the hand, in the webbing where the thumb and
index finger meet. Find the exact point by bringing your thumb and index
finger together. The muscle will bulge a little--that's the spot.
Liv 3 Great Surge (Liver 3)
This point is on the top of your foot and helps address fatigue, headaches,
insomnia related to “busy mind”, hangovers, eye issues (swelling,
pain) and alleviates pain. It’s also helpful in energizing. Some people
feel a “great surge” of energy move from their feet, up their legs and
bodies; hence the name.The point is on the top of your foot, in the “valley”
at the point where your big toe and second toe bones meet, above the arch
of your foot.
Extra point S.I.3
On the ulnar border of the hand, in the substantial depression proximal to
the head of the fifth metacarpal bone.
This is a great point for neck pain!
Exercises for Neck Pain
Do the neck exercises 6-8 times per day(every 2 hours)
Do not do other neck exercises, only these.
Do the double chin exercise by sliding your head backwards. Do not lift
your chin. This is doing the opposite of the forward head posture. We are
retracting the chin.
Do 10 repetitions.
Once you have done those, we do the 2nd exercise.
Retract the chin, then look up to the sky, trying to look further behind you,
then rotate to the right and left twice then return to neutral position.
Do 8 repetitions
After a day or so, just do the 2nd exercise only.
Do this until your neck is out of pain.
If you have referred symptoms in your arm/s and creates a worsening of
symptoms then you should stop them and maybe just do the first exercise
for a few days.
