Question
Hi Shawn

Thanks for your time.

I have had two knots in my neck, on the right side at the back of my neck, for a couple of months now. My neck hurts, but it's more the headaches around the neck / back of head area, and also the top and right side of my head.

I believe they are tension related issues, however although I don't feel stressed at the moment, I think I am suffering slightly from anxiety, which may be causing the tightness.

I've been trying massage, but it does not seem to be helping.

Any thoughts?

Regards

Aaron

Answer
Dear Aaron,

The pain you have described can all be the result of chronic muscle dysfunction and abnormal movement patterns.  Radiating pain up over the neck and head is commonly the result of trigger points and muscle spasms in the neck and upper back.  This has been well established in the clinical literature.

The first thing I would suggest is that you make sure that the massage therapist you are seeing is utilizing deep tissue massage techniques and fibrous release not just "feel good massage".  If your knots are significant, they are going to need to be literally broken down because there is probably a fair amount of adhesions in the tissue which will not respond to more gentle massage techniques.

Next, it is important to determine why the knots are there:  if you do not ultimately get to the cause of dysfunction, the knots will come back.  For instance if you are a desk/computer worker it is extremely important that your workspace be ergonomically correct to reduce abnormal stress on the neck and shoulders.  Otherwise, what success do think a massage will have against 40 hours a week of poor biomechanical posture at work.  All jobs and daily habits have distinct repetitive tasks or positions that can create movement dysfunction and stress on the musculoskeletal system.  Once these are found, they can be addressed with specific stretching and strengthening exercises to stabilize the neck.

I would also recommend that you visit a chiropractic physician so that you can have the vertebral movement of the spine assessed.  This is important as the neck will be restricted due to chronic muscle tension, and the joints will need to be addressed.  Research has also affirmed that headache pain is referred from the upper joints of the spine to the back of the head, temples and forehead.  It often only takes a few spinal adjustments to remedy this pain and suffering.  I would recommend that you specifically look for a chiropractor who has had additional training in GRASTON, ART, or SASTM techniques.  This is because they are advanced techniques of muscle work which are highly effective in reducing pain quickly.

GRASTON, A.R.T. AND S.A.S.T.M., can be easily be researched on the internet with a simple search, and all of the sites have a physician  so that you can search for doctors who have completed training in these disciplines.

Hope this helps Aaron.

Respectfully,
Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman
www.suncoasthealthcare.net