How Osteopathy can help; with hands-on treatment & practical advice to reduce the pain in your neck.
This is a particular interest of one of our Osteopaths: Frances McCollum
With over 10 years of Osteopathic experience, Frances has a particular interest in treating posture-related neck pain and headaches.
With many people now spending a large portion of their day on screens - either at a desk or on devices; postural strain and neck tension have become increasingly common.
Poor workstation setup, prolonged sitting and forward head posture can place significant stress in the neck and upper back, often contributing to tension headaches, stiffness and ongoing discomfort.
Simple ergonomic changes such as adjusting screen height, improving chair support, taking regular ‘movement breaks’, and avoiding prolonged periods looking down at devices, can make a significant difference.
Studies show that sitting or more than 6 hours per day significantly increases your risk of developing neck & back pain - particularly in desk-based, screen-heavy work, It’s not just the total sitting time that matters, but how that time accumulates.
Evidence suggest that it’s the uninterrupted long periods of sitting that cause most of the problem.
And…. its not just the muscluo-skeletal issues!
Prolonged sitting triggers a cascade of metabolic and physical issues, most notably an increased risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity due to slowed circulation and reduced insulin sensitivity.
Beyond the body, a sedentary lifestyle is linked to higher rates of anxiety, depression, and cognitive decline, ultimately shortening overall life expectancy, even for those who exercise occasionally.
Many work places are adopting the strategy of alternating positions with sit/stand desk - which has been shown to decrease neck and back pain, and improve overall comfort and concentration.
This alone is not the complete solution. Variation is the key. Variation in position as well as posture.
Osteopathic treatment focuses on improving joint mobility, relieving muscle tension, and addressing postural habits that may be contributing to symtpoms.
Your body and daily habits are unique, which makes the treatment and solution to your pain problem also unique.
Frances, Aydan & Tess work closely with patients to not only provide hands-on treatment to relieve the current pain, but also practical, tailored ergonomic advice, stretches and strengthening exercises to improve posture, reduce recurring pain and support long-term wellbeing in this increasingly sedentary world.