By Liam Oliver, Physiotherapist
Back or Neck Pain at Work? How Back & Neck Physio can Help.
Physiotherapy has got your back (and neck!)
Neck and back pain are two of the most frequent presentations that we see as physiotherapists in the clinic.
Whether it’s due to stress at work, long hours at a desk or you simply just woke up with it - we’ve all been there. If you’re currently in this situation, it is time to do something about it.
You might not think there's much that you can do about it if you work all day at a desk, but we have tricks up our sleeves that are effective and easy to implement.
What causes Back and Neck pain at work?
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Sitting for too long without taking breaks.
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Stress, or a stressful atmosphere.
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Having a workstation or chair that is uncomfortable for you.
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Lack of physical activity or exercise in general.
Common Neck and Back Pain Symptoms: CAN NECK PHYSIOTHERAPY HELP?
Neck and back pain can present with many different symptoms which you can see in the list below:
Symptoms of Back and Neck pain:
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Stiffness
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Pain
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Muscle spasms
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Tenderness around spine in the neck or back
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Lack of strength and functioning
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Headaches (in the case of neck pain)
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Referral down the legs (in the case of back) or arms (in the case of neck)
Another important thing to note is how the pain itself can vary. The pain can be:
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Sharp
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Stabbing
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Pinching
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Burning
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Pins and needles
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Dull or numb
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A deep ache
Whilst the solution is often simple, there are multiple potential causes of such pain. While most back and neck pain responds very well to physiotherapy and is relatively harmless, there are some cases where it can be dangerous (such as cauda equina or VBI insufficiency) and a referral to a doctor will be necessary. This is why an accurate diagnosis by a physiotherapist is important to ensure you receive the correct treatment.
What can you improve at work TO HElp NECK AND BACK PAIN?
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Take regular work breaks. Sit for only 30-40 minutes at a time and then take a 5-10 minute break. During this break, it's important to get up and move around.
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Find constructive ways to manage your stress (regular exercise, talking to someone, hobbies).
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Talk to your physiotherapist about how you can improve your workstation.
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Find time to move! Even a short walk after work can help things. Remember - the body was designed to move. If we're not moving enough, our bodies will respond negatively.
Physiotherapy for Back and Neck Pain:
Physiotherapy for back pain and neck pain works very well in most circumstances!
Once a thorough evaluation has been done, your physiotherapist will discuss the treatment plan with you. Some treatment methods your physiotherapist will make use of includes:
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Strengthening exercises
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Exercises to increase range of motion
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Motor-control exercises
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Spinal Mobilisations
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Dry Needling
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Heat Therapy
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Soft tissue work
NECK PAIN PHYSIOTHERAPY
At Melbourne Sports Physiotherapy, our highly experienced practitioners have treated a countless number of people with back and/or neck pain. While hands-on therapy such as soft tissue work is often helpful if your back pain is very acute, if you are very sore or if you’re having a flare up, exercise is the one form of treatment that has the most evidence to support it.
Exercise also goes beyond just helping your back or neck by improving mood, preventing further injury, building confidence, preventing some diseases and promoting a healthy lifestyle. Your physiotherapist will know which exercises are suitable for you to do depending on your pain and function levels.
This article that looked at studies on office workers with neck pain found that strengthening exercises help improve pain and quality of life.
Our Top 3 Exercises FOR FIXING NECK AND BACK PAIN AT WORK OR IN THE OFFICE
There are so many exercises that can help you, but we want to share with you three effective, easy to do exercises that are great for targeting neck and upper back pain:
1. The Trapezius Shrug
2.. The Banded Row
3. The Chin Tuck (aim to build up to 10 second holds)
1. The Trapezius Shrug
2.. The Banded Row
3. The Chin Tuck (aim to build up to 10 second holds)
How can Back and Neck Physiotherapy help you?
At Melbourne Sports Physiotherapy our goal is to get you moving pain free as soon as possible.
But, we also want you to actually move better and live a healthier, more active and fulfilling life!
If your sports, fitness training or work has been wearing your body down, book in with one of our expert physiotherapists so we can help you reduce your pain and bullet proof your body so that you can keep playing, training and working forever.
If you are suffering from neck or back pain and need a solution, book in with one of our highly skilled neck and back pain Physiotherapists today!
You can make an appointment by calling or booking online.