Osteopathy treatments for neck Injuries. Anterior and posterior neck injuries
An anterior or posterior neck injury is when one or more of the necks vertebras are blocked in flexion / extension in respect to the vertebras below. This means that the front or back of the vertebra will be tilted often making contact with the vertebra below, while the opposite face of the vertebra has an abnormal separation from the vertebra below.
Possible causes for anterior neck injuries include; Kyphosis, bad posture and post trauma while posterior neck injuries are most likely caused by Hyper lordosis, degenerative disease and post trauma.
If the injury is caused by trauma the patient ought to have a diagnosis from a doctor before starting osteopathy treatments for neck injuries to eliminate any potential pathologies that would need special attention.
Symptoms
If the injury is bi-lateral anterior or posterior the patient will experience pain while the head is in flexion / extension respectively. A compresión test is required to identify if the injury has effected the space that the nerves travel through.
If the injury is unilateral
In the case of an anterior injury, pain will be experienced while the head is in flexion and rotation on the opposite side to the injury. For example if the injury is to the right the pain will be experienced when a forced inflexion / rotation is made to the left).
In the case of a posterior injury pain will be experienced while the head is in extension and rotation (same side to the injury for example if the injury is to the right the pain will be experienced when a forced rotation is made to the right).
Osteopathy treatments for neck injuries
In both case a quiro massage is performed to warm up the affected area and relax the muscles. Mobilization or manipulation in rotation away from the injury to liberate space in the area. A further manipulation and mobilization in extensionor flexion to unblock the vertebra. For example if the injury is C5/C6 right side, the corrective action is C6 / C5 rotation and extension or flexion.
Anterior / Posterior injury bilaterally
In the case of a bi-lateral injury the rotation is not necessary, an indirect extension or flexion working from the vertebras inferiors to those superior and superior to inferiors respectively. A quiro massage is performed to warm up the affected area and relax the muscles and the chain of neck muscles effected are stretched.
For more information regarding massage or osteopathy treatments for neck injuries click here.
We also offer rehabilitation pilates sessions to strengthen the spine and prevent, aid recovery for neck injuries. For more information click here