Often, when people experience neck pain, their local stabilizers weaken due to poor posture, such as when the chin is pushed forward. This posture causes the deep neck flexors (local stabilizers at the front of the neck) to lengthen excessively, leading to their weakening. Once the local stabilizers become inactive, the global movers take over. However, since these muscles are designed for larger movements, they tire quickly when activated for extended periods, causing tension and pain in the neck.
Additionally, the forward chin posture compresses muscles at the base of the skull, which can trigger headaches around the eyes. This occurs because the extensor muscles at the back of the neck, responsible for neck extension (moving the neck backwards), become overactive. This overactivity in the extensors can explain pain at the base of the skull.
Some people may also experience other issues like headaches, dizziness, jaw problems, or ringing in the ears. These symptoms are often linked to the overactivity of the upper neck extensors and the inactivity of the deep neck flexors. Treatment for the upper neck, through manual therapy or exercises, can significantly improve symptoms like jaw pain, ear ringing, and headaches.
At Wijs, we emphasize empowering our patients with knowledge about their body and symptoms. Our goal is for you to understand what is happening, how to make a difference, and what to do if neck pain arises again in the future.
During your first session, we will explain the mechanics of neck pain, and through treatment, we will guide you in self-management exercises and give you maintenance advice. Initially, we will work on controlling your symptoms by increasing the range of motion in your neck, using release techniques and posture guidance.
In the next phase of treatment, we focus on long-term solutions by strengthening weak areas. We will target the deep neck flexors and upper back muscles, gradually increasing the intensity of activities that previously caused discomfort, enabling you to return to your normal activities with greater ease.
