Jacky Peter Physiotherapy - Physio FAQ's (Necks and Backs)

Why is it important to have a strong neck? >>back to top: Having a strong neck does not necessarily mean that you have to lift weights from your head! The stabilising muscles of the neck are what make it strong. It is important to strengthen these muscles to make your neck stronger and more stable. Having a strong neck prevents accelerated degeneration of the spine, neck pain, headaches and that 'heavy head' feeling. These stabilising muscles have to be retrained with specific exercises that your physiotherapist can teach you. These exercises can be incorporated in your daily activities and with your other exercises/gym.
Can the way I sleep be affecting my neck and back? >>back to top: Sleeping on your stomach is not good for your neck as it places strain on the spine and soft tissues of the neck. Problems involving the neck and shoulders often only manifest years later, leaving people puzzled as to how they developed neck pain.

A common symptom of sleeping on the stomach is to wake up and not be able to move the neck. This is extremely painful and is due to a locked joint. Treatment is usually required to 'unlock' the joint.

It is NEVER too late to wean yourself from sleeping on the stomach and children should be advised (when they are of an appropriate age to understand) to train themselves not to do so. This will save them experiencing problems later!
What is a 'slipped disc'? >>back to top: Do the words 'I have a slipped disc in my back' sound familiar? This phrase is actually misleading and incorrect, as a disc cannot 'slip' out of the spine. Here's the explanation.
Discs are the 'shock absorbers' of the spine, found between each vertebra. They are round in shape and contain a gel-like fluid in the centre. With stresses and strains being put on our backs, we develop tiny tears in the disc - these are the twinges we feel now and again. this allows the gel to seep through the tear. As the tears get worse, the gel continues to move through the tear towards the outside of the disc. Eventually, the gel bursts out of the disc and requires surgery, as this is extremely painful. People with lower back problems and even those who have no pain, should avoid lifting heavy objects incorrectly and should do specific exercises to avoid this from happening. So the term 'slipped disc' is best described as a bulging or herniated disc!
My doctor said I have 'sciatica', can you fix it? >>back to top: 'Sciatica' is a broad term to describe pain radiating into the buttock and/or leg. There are many causes of sciatica like a pinched nerve in the back or a trigger point in the buttock that is referring down the leg. Most causes of sciatica can be 'fixed' with physio. The physio will assess where the pain is originating from and decide what the best way of treating it specifically is!