What is neck & shoulder pain?
Neck & Shoulder Pain is widespread today, especially in Singapore, whereby most workers work desk-bound jobs. Countless hours staring at their monitor combined with stress can lead to high tension in the neck/shoulder area.
A frozen shoulder is a form of shoulder pain whereby patients can feel stiffness and pain in the shoulder joint. Typically, this would occur from keeping shoulders still for extended periods.
As part of our neck pain and frozen shoulder treatment in Singapore, our chiropractors will assist you with adjustments and introduce a range of exercises to relieve stiffness and pain caused by frozen shoulders.
Neck & Shoulder Pain Facts!
- According to a study done by Edelman Intelligence, they found that Singaporeans spend about $8 billion each year on pain relief-treatment.
- An article by Singapore General Hospital also stated that pain dramatically influences a person and affects their moods. Furthermore, it can affect sleep habits and even the quality of sleep, which can get a person on a bad start to their day.
What are the symptoms of neck & shoulder pain?
The symptoms of neck and shoulder pain can vary widely, depending on the underlying cause, severity, and the individual’s perception of pain. Here are some common symptoms:
Neck Pain:
- Stiffness: A reduced range of motion, or difficulty turning the head side to side or nodding up and down.
- Muscle tightness and spasms: These can be uncomfortable and limit movement.
- Sharp pain: This might be located in a specific spot, and might worsen with movement or certain activities.
- General soreness: This tends to be a more diffuse discomfort, often described as aching or throbbing.
- Headaches: These often occur along with neck pain. They can be the result of neck muscles being tight or from a pinched nerve in your neck.
- Radiating pain: Pain might spread into the shoulder or arm, and in cases of nerve impingement, it may extend to the hands or fingers causing numbness or tingling.
- Difficulty sleeping due to pain or discomfort.
Shoulder Pain:
- Discomfort or pain in your shoulder: This could range from mild discomfort to intense pain. The pain might be constant, or it could come and go.
- Stiffness: You might have trouble moving your shoulder normally.
- Decreased range of motion: You might not be able to raise your arm as high as usual, or you might have trouble reaching behind your back.
- Weakness: You might have trouble lifting objects or doing your usual activities because your shoulder feels weak.
- Swelling and tenderness around the joint.
- Crepitus or a feeling of grinding when moving the shoulder.
- Radiating pain: This might extend from the shoulder down the arm or up to the neck.
Remember, if you’re experiencing neck or shoulder pain, especially if it’s severe, worsening, or accompanied by other symptoms like numbness, weakness, or radiating pain, you should seek medical attention. These could be signs of more serious conditions.
What are the complications from neck & shoulder pain?
Neck and shoulder pains, if not managed properly, can potentially lead to several complications. While these complications are not guaranteed to occur, it’s important to be aware of them:
Chronic pain: This is one of the most common complications. If not treated, acute neck or shoulder pain may become chronic, significantly affecting quality of life and ability to perform daily tasks.
Decreased range of motion: Persistent neck or shoulder pain can lead to stiffness and loss of flexibility, which can limit movement and function. This might hinder your ability to perform certain tasks at work or home.
Sleep disturbances: Pain and discomfort can disrupt sleep, leading to insomnia, fatigue, and reduced daytime function.
Nerve-related issues: If the pain is due to a pinched or compressed nerve (such as in cases of a herniated disc or spinal stenosis in the neck), it may lead to tingling, numbness, or weakness in the arms or hands. In severe cases, this could lead to permanent nerve damage.
Depression and anxiety: Chronic pain can have psychological impacts as well. It can lead to stress, anxiety, and depression, especially if it limits your activities or affects your sleep.
Muscle weakness and atrophy: Prolonged lack of use or movement of the shoulder or neck muscles due to pain can lead to muscle weakness and atrophy.
Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis): In some cases, ongoing shoulder pain and immobility can lead to a condition called frozen shoulder, which is characterized by stiffness and a restricted range of movement in the shoulder joint.
Impaired physical performance: Ongoing neck or shoulder pain can negatively impact physical performance, limiting the ability to participate in physical activities, sports, and even routine daily activities.
These potential complications underscore the importance of seeking appropriate medical attention for persistent or severe neck or shoulder pain. Early intervention can often help prevent these complications and improve overall outcomes.
The common causes of neck & shoulder pain:
Neck and shoulder pain can be caused by a variety of factors, from muscle strain to serious medical conditions. Here are some of the most common causes:
Neck Pain:
Muscle strains and tension: This is often due to activities that strain the neck, such as hunching over your computer or smartphone, reading in bed, or grinding your teeth.
Poor posture: Sitting or standing with your neck in an awkward position for a prolonged period can lead to neck pain.
Sleeping position: If your neck is twisted or bent too far in any direction for a long time, you could wake up with neck pain.
Neck injury: Accidents or falls can cause severe neck injuries like vertebral fractures, whiplash, blood vessel injury, and even paralysis.
Wear-and-tear: As you age, the cervical discs can degenerate. This condition, known as cervical spondylosis or osteoarthritis of the neck, can narrow the space between your vertebrae and put pressure on the nerves branching out from your spinal cord.
Herniated cervical disk: Sometimes, the inner gel-like portion of a spinal disc can bulge or rupture through a weak area in the surrounding outer ring, compressing the nerves.
Certain diseases: Some diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, meningitis or cancer can cause neck pain.
Shoulder Pain:
Rotator cuff injuries: The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint, keeping the head of your upper arm bone firmly within the shallow socket of the shoulder. Injuries to the rotator cuff can cause shoulder pain.
Bursitis: Bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that cushion the bones, tendons and muscles around your joints. Overuse or repetitive motions can lead to inflammation of the bursae (bursitis) in your shoulder joint.
Frozen shoulder: Also known as adhesive capsulitis, this is a condition characterized by stiffness and pain in your shoulder joint, often developing slowly over time.
Impingement: This occurs when the top of the shoulder blade presses against the underlying soft tissues when you lift your arm away from your body, leading to pain and limited movement.
Fractures or dislocations: Fractures of the shoulder bones or dislocations of the shoulder joint can cause immediate and severe pain.
Arthritis: The most common type of arthritis in the shoulder is osteoarthritis, also known as “wear and tear” arthritis. It develops slowly and the pain it causes worsens over time.
Remember, if you’re experiencing persistent or severe neck or shoulder pain, you should seek medical attention to determine the underlying cause and appropriate treatment.
Do i need to see a doctor for neck & shoulder pain? When should I see a doctor?
While occasional neck and shoulder pain can be quite common, it’s important to seek medical attention if you experience any of the following:
Severe pain: If your neck or shoulder pain is intense and doesn’t improve with rest, it’s worth getting checked out by a healthcare professional. Severe pain could be a sign of a serious injury or condition.
Persistent pain: If your pain doesn’t go away after a few days of home treatment like rest, over-the-counter pain relievers, and gentle stretching, you should see a doctor.
Radiating pain: If you have pain that radiates down your arm or leg, or if you have any numbness, tingling, or weakness in your arms or hands, you should seek immediate medical attention. This could be a sign of a pinched nerve or other serious condition.
Associated symptoms: Seek immediate medical care if your neck or shoulder pain is accompanied by other symptoms such as shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, jaw or arm pain, or difficulty swallowing. These could be signs of a heart attack, especially if you have risk factors such as advanced age, obesity, smoking, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure.
After an injury: If your pain began following an injury or accident, like a car accident or a fall, you should see a doctor to rule out fractures, dislocations, or other serious injuries.
Fever or unexplained weight loss: These could be signs of an infection or other medical condition that needs immediate attention.
Night pain: If your pain wakes you up from sleep or is much worse at night, it’s important to consult a doctor.
Remember, it’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your health. If you’re ever in doubt, it’s best to consult a healthcare professional.
What are the treatments for neck & shoulder pain?
Treatment for neck and shoulder pain depends on the diagnosis, severity, and the cause of the pain. Here are some common treatments:
- Chiropractic care: Chiropractors use hands-on spinal manipulation and other alternative treatments. It’s often used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan, and can be particularly effective for musculoskeletal pains including neck and shoulder pain. Some people experience significant relief and improved range of motion after chiropractic treatments.
Pain relief medications: Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), and naproxen (Aleve) may be recommended. For more severe pain, your doctor might prescribe stronger pain relievers.
Physical therapy: Physical therapists can teach you exercises to help improve flexibility and strength, and to correct posture, which can help prevent recurrence of the pain.
Heat or cold therapy: Applying heat or cold to the affected area can provide short-term pain relief. Cold can help reduce inflammation and heat can help increase blood flow and relax muscles.
Rest and activity modification: Avoiding activities that exacerbate the pain and allowing time for rest and healing can be beneficial.
Muscle relaxants: If you have muscle spasms, your doctor might prescribe a muscle relaxant, which can help alleviate pain.
Corticosteroid injections: If less invasive treatments aren’t effective, your doctor might suggest a corticosteroid injection into the joint, especially in cases of arthritis or severe inflammation.
Surgery: This is usually the last resort, used if the pain is caused by a serious condition that doesn’t respond to other forms of treatment. For example, if you have a herniated disk or severe arthritis that’s causing nerve compression, you might need surgery to provide relief.
Is chiropractic treatment good for neck & shoulder pain? Should i see a chiropractor?
Chiropractic treatment can often be beneficial for those suffering from neck and shoulder pain, especially when the pain is related to musculoskeletal issues. Chiropractors specialize in diagnosing and treating conditions related to the muscles, ligaments, and joints of the body, particularly those of the spine.
Chiropractors typically use hands-on spinal manipulations and other manual therapies to improve alignment and restore mobility to joints. They might also provide advice on posture, ergonomics, exercises, and relaxation techniques.
Here are some instances where seeing a chiropractor might be beneficial:
Persistent or chronic neck or shoulder pain: If you’ve been experiencing neck or shoulder pain that isn’t improving over time, a chiropractor might be able to help identify the issue and provide treatment.
Pain after a minor injury or strain: If you’ve recently experienced a minor injury (like a strain during physical activity) and the pain is ongoing, a chiropractor might be able to help alleviate the pain and restore mobility.
Neck or shoulder pain with headaches: Some types of headaches can be related to neck tension or misalignment in the spine, which a chiropractor might be able to treat.
Neck or shoulder pain due to poor posture: If your pain might be due to prolonged periods of sitting or standing, particularly with poor posture, a chiropractor can help correct these issues and provide advice for preventing future problems.
However, it’s important to note that while chiropractic treatment can be very beneficial for many patients, it isn’t appropriate for all types of neck and shoulder pain. For example, if your pain is due to a severe condition such as a torn ligament, fracture, or certain diseases, you may need medical treatment beyond what a chiropractor can provide.
At Healing Hands Chiropractic Singapore, our primary goal is to get to the root of the issue and handle it with precise non-invasive techniques that help relieve pain. We aim to restore patients and enhance their quality of life through our neck pain treatment and frozen shoulder treatment in Singapore. If you are looking for a chiropractor for neck pain, get in touch with us for a thorough consultation and find the best solution for your pain relief.
Healing Hands Chiropractic has been in the industry for 12 years and has a team of experienced chiropractors dedicated to helping patients with pain relief and management. We strongly believe in our three core values, Care For Patients, Integrity, and Attention To Detail.
Why Choose Us?
At Healing Hands Chiropractic, we specialise in neck pain treatment in Singapore. We are experienced in frozen shoulder treatment and treating stiff necks and shoulders. For frozen shoulder treatment, our chiropractor will identify the alignment of your spine from head to hip to check if its pain results from overworked muscles due to poor posture. A consultation will then be required to judge if your body is suitable for chiropractic adjustments. Afterwards, our chiropractor for neck pain will make the necessary adjustments to your spine over a few sessions to improve its alignment and teach you some exercises to improve your range of motion and flexibility in the body.
Get Rid of the pain today
Want To Have a Healthier and Happier life?
Book Your Appointment Today!
What To Expect During Your 1st Visit
Identifying postural imbalances to detect any differences in weight between the right and the left sides of the body, alignment from our head all the way down
to our hips. Tyron thermographic spinal scan helps to measure the muscle temperature around the spine. It detects areas with the greater temperature where muscles are working harder due to poor posture.
1-on-1 consultation with our Chiropractors with a detailed review of your health history.
Our Chiropractor will investigate and educate you on the necessary steps forward in reaching your health goals.
Our Chiropractors will perform a series of range of motion tests to determine your current body condition and an adjustment will be administered if deemed
clinically safe to do so.
Our Chiropractors will use their hands or a small instrument to apply a controlled force to the spinal joints. “Crack” or “Pop” sound may occur as your spine gets manipulated. Do not be alarmed, as the adjustment releases trapped gasses from your joints.
X-Rays will be prescribed so that we can accurately diagnose your condition before prescribing a customized treatment program. It is also for your safety and for us to rule out any possible underlying conditions that cannot be treated by Chiropractic.
The review of your X-rays is complimentary at your following visit if you take up the X-rays with our preferred diagnostic partners.
Frequently-Asked Questions (FAQs)
When do I know if my neck pain is a red flag?
The general rule of thumb is that you should consider getting your neck pain thoroughly evaluated if any of these conditions are met: a) It has been affecting you for more than six weeks, b) It is not improving and getting more severe, and c) You are beginning to experience other symptoms, such as headache, nausea, vomiting, sharp pain at the spinal area, and altered mental state.
What is the most common cause of neck pain?
Neck pain is a common condition that is usually caused by poor postures, such as slouching or hunching over the table or workspace, resulting in the straining of the neck muscles. Neck pain rarely signals a more severe issue. However, should you be concerned about your neck pain, it would not hurt to seek neck pain treatment at a chiropractic care centre.
What is the common cause of frozen shoulder?
Our shoulder joints are surrounded by connective tissues. Frozen shoulder occurs when they thicken and tighten around the joint, restricting its movement. While it is unknown why some individuals develop it, it appears more in individuals who cannot move their shoulders during their recovery from a stroke, broken arm, or shoulder injury.
Can frozen shoulder be cured completely?
Generally, frozen shoulder is able to go away on its own without treatment. However, there are some cases where the individual requires frozen shoulder treatments, such as manual therapy and massage therapy. If the root issue stems from the ligaments, tendons, bones, joints, or muscles, we are able to treat it appropriately. With time, your frozen shoulder should recover completely.
Neck & Shoulder Pain is widespread today, especially in Singapore, whereby most workers work desk-bound jobs. Countless hours staring at their monitor combined with stress can lead to high tension in the neck/shoulder area.
A frozen shoulder is a form of shoulder pain whereby patients can feel stiffness and pain in the shoulder joint. Typically, this would occur from keeping shoulders still for extended periods.
As part of our neck pain and frozen shoulder treatment in Singapore, our chiropractors will assist you with adjustments and introduce a range of exercises to relieve stiffness and pain caused by frozen shoulders.
Neck & Shoulder Pain
At Healing Hands Chiropractic Singapore, our primary goal is to get to the root of the issue and handle it with precise non-invasive techniques that help relieve pain. We aim to restore patients and enhance their quality of life through our neck pain treatment and frozen shoulder treatment in Singapore. If you are looking for a chiropractor for neck pain, get in touch with us for a thorough consultation and find the best solution for your pain relief.
Neck & Shoulder Pain Facts
- According to a study done by Edelman Intelligence, they found that Singaporeans spend about $8 billion each year on pain relief-treatment.
- An article by Singapore General Hospital also stated that pain dramatically influences a person and affects their moods. Furthermore, it can affect sleep habits and even the quality of sleep, which can get a person on a bad start to their day.
Why Choose Our Neck & Shoulder Pain Treatment?
Healing Hands Chiropractic has been in the industry for 12 years and has a team of experienced chiropractors dedicated to helping patients with pain relief and management. We strongly believe in our three core values, Care For Patients, Integrity, and Attention To Detail.
At Healing Hands Chiropractic, we specialise in neck pain treatment in Singapore. We are experienced in frozen shoulder treatment and treating stiff necks and shoulders. For frozen shoulder treatment, our chiropractor will identify the alignment of your spine from head to hip to check if its pain results from overworked muscles due to poor posture. A consultation will then be required to judge if your body is suitable for chiropractic adjustments. Afterwards, our chiropractor for neck pain will make the necessary adjustments to your spine over a few sessions to improve its alignment and teach you some exercises to improve your range of motion and flexibility in the body.
