NECK PAIN

Our neck, also called the cervical spine, consists of 7 bones called vertebrae. The cervical spine allows movement in your head in nearly every direction, but this flexibility makes the neck very susceptible to pain and injury. Neck pain can result from a variety of causes, including:

• Postural or repetitive strain
• Restricted movement of the spinal joints in your neck
• Tightness in the muscles surrounding your neck, upper back and shoulders
• Irritate or compressed nerves travelling through the cervical vertebrae and upper ribs
• Injuries and accidents

When the joints in your neck are not moving properly this can also cause pain, tingling or numbness in your arms and hands. Headaches are also very common when experiencing neck pain and joint tension.

MID & UPPER BACK PAIN

The mid and upper back, also called the thoracic spine, consists of 12 vertebrae and 24 ribs (12 on each side). The rib cage ads rigidity to the thoracic spine while protecting your internal organs. Pain in your mid and upper can be related to:

• Postural or repetitive strain
• Restricted movement of the spinal joints in your upper and mid back
• Tightness in the muscles surrounding your upper back, shoulders and neck
• Irritate or compressed nerves travelling through the thoracic vertebrae and ribs
• An injury, such as lifting or slips and falls

Decreased movement of the rib joints or tightness in the rib muscles can cause pain into the upper back and trouble with taking in a deep breath.

LOWER BACK PAIN

The lower back, also called the lumbar spine, consists of 5 large vertebrae. Many large and important muscles attach in the lower back area. Pain in this area can result from many causes, including:

• Postural or repetitive strain
• Restricted movement of the spinal joints in your lower back and pelvis (sacroiliac joints)
• Tightness in the muscles surrounding your upper back, lower back and pelvis
• Irritate or compressed nerves travelling through the lumbar vertebrae
• Lifting injuries
• Disc injuries
• Weakness of the core muscles that support your lower back

Sometimes lower back problems can cause pain, tingling or numbness in your legs and feet.

HIP PAIN

The hip area of your body, also called the pelvis, consists of 2 large bones that connect to the tailbone at the base of your spine. The upper leg bone, called the femur, attaches into the pelvis forming the hip joint. Pain in your pelvis or hip area can be caused by:

• Restricted movement of the hip joint and pelvis (sacroiliac joints)
• Tightness in the muscles surrounding your lower back and pelvis
• Irritated or compressed nerves travelling through the pelvis and down the leg

Pain in this area can refer into your legs, the side of your hip or into your groin area. Sometimes the bursa on the side of the hip will become irritated causing bursitis.

SHOULDER PAIN

The shoulder area of your body consists of the shoulder blade, collar bone and upper arm bone. This is also called the shoulder girdle, and is connected to your spine via the collar bone and numerous muscle attachments. Pain in the shoulder area can be caused from a number of things, such as:

• Referred pain from your neck
• Rotator cuff injuries (muscles or tendons)
• Sprain of the ligaments and repetitive use injuries
• Tightness in the muscles surrounding the shoulder joint, neck and upper back
• Irritate or compressed nerves travelling through the shoulder area

Problems in the shoulder girdle can refer pain into your arms, forearm and also hands, as well as numbness and tingling sensations.