Neck problems are awfully common.

Neck complaints may be bothersome, such as neck ache secondary to neck tension, which is particularly common in people who work at a computer.

Neck problems extend through to more severe neck pain, such as a ‘wry neck’ where the individual has difficulty moving their neck. This is more common for people in their younger years.

Neck problems can also cause referred pain into the upper back or arm, where there is pressure on the nerve as it exits between the vertebrae. This is brachial neuralgia, which is pretty much the same as we see with disc prolapse causing sciatica in the lower limbs.

There are many similarities between neck problems and low back complaints:

• People do better when they learn how to self-manage their condition and understand what triggers the pain and what helps;
• People do worse when the condition is over-medicalised, and they become fearful of aggravating the problem; and
• A small proportion of people with neck problems can require surgery.

As with back problems, the outcome for an individual with a neck problem is heavily influenced by the context of their condition.

Is it a compensation claim? Has it occurred through a motor vehicle accident? Is there blame, unhappiness, fear?

Over the next few weeks we will focus on neck complaints, how they develop, what can be done to assist, and the influence of policies and legislation.

1. In the first week we explore how common neck problems are. We’ll provide some information on epidemiology of spinal problems, and include writings from two people who had neck problems.
2. In the second week we will look at the simplicity and messiness of whiplash associated disorder, including information about the differing rates of whiplash depending on the jurisdiction’s rules.
3. In the third week we will explore brachial neuralgia, what contributes to the condition and how it is best managed.
4. In the fourth week we will look at common and everyday neck soreness; the sort you and I may suffer. We’ll explore appropriate treatments, and what you and the person with the condition can do to help their problem.
5. In the fifth and final week we will summarise the currently available research information regarding neck problems.

As with many musculoskeletal problems, medicine provides only limited assistance. Many people find they are able to identify triggers for their neck ache, and once they identify those triggers, can prevent their problem from flaring. Many people will try a number of different treatments for their long-term neck ache and find some of value and others not.

As with low back complaints, treating practitioners typically focus on the medical aspects - scans, medication, injections - without necessarily exploring underlying factors such as tension, ergonomics and what the individual can do to improve their level of symptoms.

If you have a case scenario that you think would be useful to explore, please email and we will try to tease out the issues in your case study.