by Henry Candelaria, BPHE, CSCS, D. Ac, DC
Who gets it?
About two thirds of the population will experience some episode of neck pain at some point in their lives. Most commonly, this condition affects the middle aged, but can also occur in the young and old. Have you ever woken up one morning and were unable to move your neck in a specific direction without pain? Or have you ever experienced the progressive increase in neck tension while working at your computer throughout the day? Have you ever experienced the end-of-day tension headache that seems to be made worse with neck movements?
These are all very common descriptions of how neck pain develops.
Why does it happen?
Often times, neck pain is a result of prolonged strenuous postures as in the above mentioned examples:
- Waking up with pain - neck held in 1 or 2 position throughout the night, or cranked in one direction throughout the night because of a firm pillow.
- Neck pain at work - sitting in the typist posture for an entire day! Generally, holding any posture for prolonged periods of time will result in pain. Contrary to popular belief, there is no such thing as the correct posture; the key is to change position frequently enough to avoid developing discomfort.
- Headache at the end of the work day - again, often due to sitting with your neck jutted forward for the majority of the day starring at your computer screen as in the picture below…
Despite the difference in cause, the outcome is the same… PAIN & DYSFUNTION! There are many different structures that can be affected in the neck that can result in pain. The following is a general list:
- Muscle/tendon/fascia
- Joint/joint capsule
- Ligament
- Bone
- Nerve
- Disc
Under normal circumstances, all the above structures work together in such a way to ensure that you can move through space in a pain-free and fluid manner.
Problems arise when one of the above decide to “take a break” resulting in the other “workers” having to cover and work harder to achieve the same goal: smooth, pain free movement. Often times, certain muscles are at fault in these situations in that they tend to throw in the towel and expect other muscles or structures to take over their job.
This results in what’s referred to as neuromuscular coordination problems and can commonly present as catching type of pain in the neck with specific movements and activities. There can also be other causes of your neck pain resulting in injury to the tissues mentioned above. It is therefore important to have a professional identify and address the specific source of the problem.
How do we fix it?
I work at Functional Innovative Therapeutics Inc. (FITS) in Toronto where we treat common neuromusculoskeletal conditions like the one described above. FITS is Toronto’s newest training centre for athletic development where sports medicine and sports performance meet. At FITS, we pride ourselves on developing comprehensive rehab programs that help patients return to their sport, the office, and their lives! We treat every condition following our proven 4 step approach:
1. IDENTIFY
We first perform a complete medical history. We then analyze functional movement through various testing procedures to help locate the weak link in the body to ensure that it is addressed accordingly.
2. DEVELOP
We then develop a FITS rehab program specific to YOUR individual needs with YOUR specific goals in mind. We use scientifically supported outcome measures that ensure maximal functional capacity and help us monitor your progress throughout the rehab program.
3. EXECUTE
Through motivated and certified experts in the rehab field, your FITS team is ready to guide you through your FITS rehab program making use of state-of-the-art equipment and facilities.
4. MONITOR
Any good rehab program has a built-in means of monitoring progress. At FITS, we take things a step further. With rehab tracking software, our scheduled retesting, and our constant attention to technique, you can rest assured that your progress throughout the program is smooth and adjusted according to your individual pace.
YOU'RE INVITED...
If you have any further questions regarding this or any other musculoskeletal problem, feel free to attend our free GET HEALTH seminar at our West-Toronto location on January 17th or 19th.
As part of the free GET HEALTH seminars, we will also be introducing GYM CLASS!
WHAT IS GYM CLASS?
Remember back in the days where gym class was meant for the jocks?? Where the classes were more about running and doing drills than promoting health and doing something fun, inclusive and that makes people feel great about themselves??
This is why a new GYM CLASS has been developed for those wanting to get into shape. It is not boot camp, which is traditionally based on beating you into the ground. No. Gym Class is focused on providing physical education, incredible proven workouts, and a level of attention to your individual needs that are unmatched.
Classes are small and are capped at 15 so you will get to know your classmates and your instructor very well. The environment is friendly, motivating and led by doctors and physical educators.
Housed in a 5,000 sq. ft state of the art training facility, you will have access to all modes of training. Gym class is without question the most fun you will ever have working out!Curriculum includes… all this and a smile at the end of your workout!
- Cardiovascular Training
- Strength training and Functional Movement Training to help in your day-to-day activities
- Core Conditioning – we do much more than sit-ups and crunches
- Focus on those “typical” problem areas
- Range of motion training
- Balance training Injury prevention
For more information on GYM CLASS, the GET HEALTH seminar, the speakers (one of which will be your coach, Yuri Elkaim!) and their topics, please visit our website www.fitstoronto.com, or you can contact us directly to experience the FITS difference for yourself!
For more information or if you have any questions regarding these topics or any other health related issue, you can contact me at hcandelaria@fitstoronto.com
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