Most people over the age of 35 show some wear and tear on an X-ray of their necks, but not everyone over 35 has neck pain! X-rays only show the bones in the body and do not show the disc or soft tissues around the bones and joints. Therefore a patient can have a bad X-ray but be pain free or alternatively have a normal X-ray and be in agony because it is not the bones causing the pain. Cricked neck, trapped nerve and pulled muscle, are all terms which patients use to describe pain in the neck. In fact most neck pain is the result of a disc problem causing a trapped nerve. A neck problem can result from sleeping awkwardly and 'cricking' the neck; it can be due to prolonged bad posture such as sitting at a computer or at the wheel of a car; or it can be sudden in onset as a result of suddenly jarring the neck, or from lifting or pushing heavy objects. Patients usually complain of constant pain in the neck, across the shoulders or into the shoulder blade. Pain may even be referred from the neck up to the head or down the arms - referred pain - Neck pain may be one sided or both sides.
TREATMENT
Treatment relies on the reduction of the disc bulge by changing the mechanics of the spine and reducing the tension in the connective tissue with Connective Tissue Manipulation and Manual Lymph Drainage. Correct posture is very important to improve the neck pain and prevent recurrence. Pillow height should be sufficient to maintain the neck in a neutral position and prevent problems whilst in bed.
Jacqueline is one of a few UK Physiotherapists combining Connective Tissue Manipulation, Manual Lymph Drainage, the MacKenzie Exercise Regime and Cranio-sacral Therapy in private practice. During the past four years she has successfully treated over 1,000 patients with spinal problems and a further 1,300 patients with other muscular skeletal problems in her Gillingham Physio Centre in Dorset. In order to offer her specialist techniques to a greater number of patients she started the London Physio Centre at 148 Harley Street.
A Chartered and State Registered Physiotherapist, Jacqueline qualified at St Thomas's Hospital, London with additional emphasis in the treatment of backs and necks. She spent five years at the Leicester Royal Infirmary gaining experience in all branches of physiotherapy and became Senior Physiotherapist on the Medical Unit. In 1977 she created a private practice at the Leicester Clinic, eventually covering all orthopaedic, spinal and post-op physiotherapy.
