How Osteopathy Can Help with Neck Pain from Long Hours at Desk

Osteopathy has reshaped traditional approaches to treatment, introducing a holistic, hands-on, and patient-centric paradigm. Conventional medicine often focuses on isolating and treating specific symptoms, such as prescribing painkillers or muscle relaxants for neck pain, or referring patients for imaging to pinpoint a single issue.

Osteopathy has changed traditional treatment by offering a less invasive, holistic option. It is not a complete replacement. It is important to note that severe cases, such as cervical disc herniation, require surgery. However, Osteopathy often complements traditional care, with many patients using it alongside physical therapy or medical management for better outcomes. 

How Osteopathy Can Help with Neck Pain?

Osteopathy can help with neck pain from long hours at a desk by addressing musculoskeletal imbalances. This is done with hands-on and holistic approaches. Here is how it works: 

1. Manual Adjustments

This is the widely used technique. Osteopaths use gentle manipulations, soft tissue massage, and joint mobilization. It relieves tension in the neck and upper back. These techniques improve joint mobility, reduce muscle stiffness, and enhance blood flow, alleviating pain caused by prolonged sitting. 

2. Posture Correction

An improper posture often leads to neck pain. Desk work often leads to forward head posture or rounded shoulders. Your posture is assessed at the outset by the Osteopaths, and then proceed to correct postural imbalances by targeting muscles. These techniques are used to strengthen the weaker muscles to support proper alignment. 

3. Restoring Range of Motion

This is yet another important method Osteopaths use to restore range of motion. Long hours at a desk can stiffen the cervical spine. The techniques, like myofascial release and stretching, restore flexibility and are used by the Osteopaths. It reduces strain on neck muscles and improves alignment. 

4. Addressing Related Areas

Neck pain often stems from tension in connected areas like the shoulders, upper back, or even the lower spine. As the muscles of these areas stiffen, it causes pain. Osteopaths take a whole body approach, treating these areas to prevent compensatory strain. Different techniques are used to relax the muscles, which in turn do away with the neck pain. 

5. Ergonomic and Lifestyle Advice

Osteopaths provide guidance on workstation setup. It includes monitor height, chair support, and exercise to counter the effects of prolonged sitting. You might be suggested stretches, like chain tucks or shoulder rolls, which you have to do during breaks. 

Also, read Physiotherapy Exercises for Neck Pain Relief

Is Osteopathy a Reliable Treatment for Neck Pain?

Osteopathy is a non-invasive approach tailored to individual needs, making it an effective treatment for desk-related neck pain. It is highly recommended to consult a licensed Osteopath for a personalized assessment. If you are looking for one such reliable Osteopath in Jammu, you can visit Swasthya Shastra, where I, Dr Gaurav Vaid, a licensed Osteopath with decades of experience, will provide you with tailored Osteopathic treatment for your neck pain. 

A 2021 Study published in PM&R proves that Osteopathy is a reliable form of treatment. It concluded that “Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment is relatively safe and effective in reducing pain and disability along with improving sleep, fatigue, and depression in patients with chronic neck pain.” 

This comprehensively sums up the question that you can opt for this form of treatment for your neck pain, as the studies suggest that it has delivered the desired results. 

Practical Tips 

Here are some of the practical tips that you need to follow: 

• Make sure you take a break every 30-60 minutes to stretch or walk. 
• Adjust your chair and monitor to maintain neutral spine alignment. This will do away with the stress on a specific area. 
• You should consider regular Osteopathic sessions for chronic pain. You can consider the option of having such sessions biweekly. 
• Don’t take neck pain lightly. Get it cured once you feel the pain. 

Conclusion 

So it has come to the fore that Osteopathy, comparatively new, is a reliable and credible form of treatment for your neck pain. There are enough studies to back this argument. This has gone well for a number of patients with chronic neck pain. There are different techniques used to treat neck pain.

For those who are in and around Jammu, looking for an Osteopath, can make their way to Swasthya Shastra, where I, Dr Gaurav Vaid, provide you with tailored Osteopathic treatment. 

For further queries, please reach out to Dr. Gaurav Vaid or Swasthya Shastra.