Neck Pain and Dizziness Treatment
According to the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, nearly two-thirds of people experience some form of neck pain during their lives.
In fact, an estimated 30% to 50% of adults in the UK experience neck pain each year, ranking as the fourth leading cause of disability, with a higher prevalence in women than in men. However most cases are not severe and the pain usually resolves within a few weeks it frequently develops into a chronic presentation leading to a significant impact on quality of life for those who experience it.
Neck Anatomy and Function
The neck, also known as the cervical spine, is a complex structure made up of seven vertebrae, which are separated by discs filled with a cushioning material. These vertebrae encase and protect the spinal cord.
The neck also contains a multitude of muscles and ligaments that provide support and allow for movement.
The neck is responsible for supporting the weight of the head and it’s designed to allow for its various movements in all planes and angles including rotation, flexion, and extension.
In addition to vertebrae and muscles, the neck also houses important blood vessels that supply the brain with necessary nutrients and oxygen. One of these is the carotid artery, which can be felt on either side of the neck, and is responsible for carrying blood to the brain.
Furthermore, the neck contains the larynx, also known as the voice box, and the trachea, which carries air to and from the lungs. The esophagus, which carries food and liquids from the mouth to the stomach, also passes through the neck.
In terms of nerves, the neck contains a network of nerves running from the brain to the rest of the body.
Due to its crucial role in so many bodily functions, any issues or discomfort in the neck can have a significant impact on overall health and quality of life.
Why does neck pain developed
If we look at the neck in isolation, we can see a skinny long structure with a great number of tensional components in all planes and angles pulling in all directions (fascia and muscle). In fact there are approximately 20 muscles that attach to the neck, each with their own specific functions related to movement and stability.
Imbalance in one or a few of these muscles and facial components causes a chain reaction of compensatory patterns ultimately causing degeneration, malfunction and pain.
Stressors for neck pain
Some of the stressors that most commonly cause imbalance in the neck structures are as follow:
- Postural imbalances
- Stress and anxiety
- Sustained postural patterns (i.e. sitting at a desc or looking down for long periods of time, playing an instrument…)
- Sleeping in an awkward position
- Injury, such as whiplash from a car accident
- Degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis
How does neck pain and dizziness develop
The stressors named above cause inflammation in the Myofascial tissue which in response can trigger pain and other symptoms, including dizziness and headaches.
A very common presentation for neck pain and dizziness is caused by Myofascial trigger points.
Myofascial trigger points are hyperirritable spots within a taut band of muscle fibers that form due to a stressor (See stressors above).
These Trigger Points or knots can cause pain over the muscle area, or in other parts of the body, a phenomenon known as referred pain. They can also trigger other symptoms like dizziness or ear ringing.
Trigger points located in the neck and shoulder area, are a common cause of TMJ Disorder symptoms.
Trigger points can also limit range of motion and of course they cause dysfunction within the muscle and muscle weakness.
When these trigger points develop in the muscles of the neck and shoulder, they can cause a type of dizziness known as cervicogenic dizziness.
This is a condition where the dizziness is believed to arise from imbalances or disturbances in the neck’s muscle.
Common muscles that cause neck pain and dizziness
Myofascial Trigger Points were discovered and documented by Dr. Janet Travell.
Her incredible dedication left us manual and movement therapists a powerful source of information to guide our treatments.
Dr. Janet realised that Trigger Points had the same or very similar patterns of pain and other symptoms in different people, so she decided to document them in maps of Trigger points and their referred pain patterns.
Thanks to her work, we can now locate the trigger point based on the symptoms and location of the pain described by the client.
Once located, these Trigger points can be released, releasing the symptoms as we do so.
Here are the most common muscles that cause neck pain and dizziness (the “x” represents the location of the Trigger point and the area in red represents the location of the symptoms caused by that particular Trigger Point):
Upper Trapezius
Suboccipitals
Splenius capitis
Sternocleidomastoid
Temporalis
Masseter
If you area experiencing pain or dizziness in any of the areas above, there is a big chance that you might might be experiencing referred pain from Myofascial trigger Points.
Both our Clinical Massage Therapy and Myofascial Release Therapy are especially focused on localising and releasing Myofascial Trigger Points.
About the author
Rocio Santiago
MA in Nursing, Dip. Soft Tissue Therapy
Ro initially began her career as a nurse. Following this and after a difficult time in her life that resulted in a career change, Ro went on to train at one of the leading soft tissue therapy schools in Europe, completing a 3 year degree level course and specialising in effective soft tissue manipulation for the treatment of musculoskeletal pain.
The treatment method Ro uses consists of a combined approach using different specialised techniques, myofascial release and trigger point work among others, with the intention and focus on providing effective results in the least possible amount of time.
Combining her training, science background and life experience, her treatment method is based in science and built using a whole body approach, where mind and body are addressed as one.
Ro has been seeing clients as a soft tissue therapist for 8 years, successfully treating a wide range of conditions.