When it comes to neck pain or neck and shoulder pain, the big Questions we get asked is
‘Why is This Happening to Me? - We also regularly see people who have come because they felt it was ‘spreading to their shoulders’ or spreading from their shoulders to their neck! Many people don’t realise that this nagging pain or tension felt in either shoulder or the neck are absolutely connected. Have you ever had a massage which eased your neck tension but you felt your shoulders afterwards? I like to akin the shoulder and neck to 2 cousins in a playground! You don’t have 1 up to mischief without the other having some involvement!! Imagine what they get up to when left to their own devises, let alone after a time!! Your neck and shoulders are the same.
People also want to know why is it coming and going? Painkillers help sometimes but not others - why? Why can I get some relief from heat but can’t from anything else? Why does neck stretches NOT work!!
Does this sound Familiar to what’s happened to You?
Unfortunately, in today’s world, we have an abundance of information BUT its unfortunately too easy to get confused. Add to the fact that you will have been told different things, by different people. Unfortunately, not all of it is either TRUE or HELPFUL. It’s confusing to find the root cause of your neck and shoulder pain. To give this the attention it deserves, merely focusing on the sore area, does NOT work!!
Many patients who suffered from Chronic Neck and Shoulder Pain are tormented with the fear of what caused it-
Maybe I shouldn’t have bent down that way that morning and it wouldn’t have ‘gone’.
I wish I hadn’t slept funny that night, I injured my shoulder a long time ago is this what it stems from?
...the list goes on.
The true reality often resides in the fact that YES you felt pain at that moment, but its highly likely that it wasn’t THAT action that got you there…it was years and years of poor posture, prolonged sitting for example on the computer or driving, that cause your muscles and joints to be under tension the pain you felt from lifting, turning sharply to look around when reversing, Picking your grandchild up…was the EFFECT from a lifetime of that….I like to refer to it as THE ACCUMULATION Factor.
If you don’t know what the right thing to do for this, and often you have tried and followed several bits of advice…. neck pain can be really confusing and frustrating. It creeps into every aspect of your life. Sadly, it often adds to those feelings of ‘hopelessness’ and ‘frustration’ making the list even longer of things that ‘just didn’t work for you’. We often see many patients who feel that they need to ‘accept and put up with their pain’ as it’s here to stay forever.
Do You Ever Feel This Way?
If You’re Currently living with and Suffering from Neck & Shoulder Pain, go through this quick check list to see if any of these reasons are causing your Neck & Shoulder Pain to last longer:
1.You thought and hoped it would just go away on its own
2.You've gone to the GP’s, often a few times. Tried to Rest and taking the painkillers, but it’s hard to rest and although the pain killers helped for a short while, your Neck and shoulder pain was just as bad when they wore off and you were in constant fear of it striking again.…. Added to that, medication just made you feel horrible so you couldn’t keep taking them all the time.
3.A friend, family member or even a therapist told you that EVERYBODY gets Neck and Shoulder Pain, especially when you are ‘getting older’. You should do what they did, just accept it and get on with it.
4.You've tried other sports Therapists, Physios, and complimentary techniques but nothing they could do or advice seemed to help
5.You tried exercises from the internet and even tried going to a personal trainer, but those exercises made your Neck and Shoulder pain worse
6.Tried to Rest as you hadn’t been able to give that a proper go when you were told to initially. It ended up making your back even more stiff and more tight!!
7.You’ve tried a few ‘massages’, some very painful and some relaxing- all of which you thought should help as no pain no gain…. but they didn’t do anything to fix it in the long term…
We'd love to hear from you...
If any of these happened to you- we would love to hear from you by inviting you to book a call to chat with one of our neck and shoulder pain physios at our Inverness Physiotherapy Clinic to find out what you can do to finally help. The great thing about trying things that haven’t worked, (and we forget about this positive), is that you are one more step closer to finding out the thing that does work! As we see this ALL the time, we like to cut the tiring steps out and get onto helping you feel a whole lot better.
Click the link below to book a call with our Neck and Shoulder Pain Physio to get some solid advice over the phone. At Alba Physiotherapy, it is our passion to help people in pain and discomfort, get back to the live the life they loved to lead. This call is complimentary, at no cost and with no obligation to book appointments. We want to help you make the right decision about what to do next that’s best for you.
What can I do to get rid of MY Neck & Shoulder Pain as Quickly as possible?
Here’s 4 things to try today:
1. Firstly, we get caught in a cycle where we can’t decide about getting help. You have tried things, they haven’t worked so patients often find themselves living with Neck and Shoulder issues and just hoping it will go away. We put off deciding about getting help and suddenly feel ourselves 6 months down the line, nothing has changed except how much you have to watch what you do. It’s important to decide to do something about your Pain Today!
2.Next, and most importantly…. If you’re going to try exercises- get the RIGHT exercises! Doing the Right Exercises, at the RIGHT time can help to reduce your Pain, get you moving more freely AND help to PREVENT your Neck or Shoulder ‘going’ again. It is worth noting at this point, there are some cases where exercises are NOT what you need depending on your stage of problems. Speak to your Physiotherapist to find out what you should or even shouldn’t be doing. If you think about it…The head is HEAVY, so if you try and do even basic stretches for your neck and shoulder, it can aggravate the issue.
Avoid...
3.Avoid sitting for long periods of time. Ever tried to get out of the car after a drive down the A9, getting up from the sofa after watching a good movie? Motion is Lotion!! Rest, and most especially sitting for long periods of time makes your Neck and Shoulders feel stiff and tight. The right advice on how to combat this for better posture, along- side hands-on treatment can get you back healthy and active again as quickly as possible. Remember, the accumulation factor means your muscles and joints have adapted to your lifestyle…any compensatory mechanisms need to be ironed out first!
4.Get physiotherapy that includes lots of treatment options including ‘hands-on’. Physio Is proven to help people who suffer from Neck and Shoulder Pain. At Alba Physiotherapy, it is one of the TOP problems we see DAILY. If your Neck and Shoulder Pain is affecting how you live your life, your job, what Quality activities you can do with your friends and family, and most especially affecting you, Physio can help get you back to living life, the way you want, to as soon as possible.
How can we help...
If you would like to know how Alba Physiotherapy in Inverness can help you get Your Neck and Shoulders Back on Track, we would love you to join us for a Free Discovery Visit. This is a 20-minute consultation with a Neck and Shoulder Pain Physiotherapist to discuss your Neck and Shoulder issues and the impact it is having on you. It is ideal for someone who is nervous about coming to Physio, is unsure whether this is the right option for them AND who wants to get to the bottom of what is wrong- with no obligation or commitment to further treatment. Our goal at Alba Physiotherapy is to get you back quicker. If we think that Physio is NOT right for you, we will tell you.
Here Are some of the Things our Patients with Neck & Shoulder Pain have reported that we have done for them within a few sessions
"I hadn’t realised how I actually couldn’t look over my shoulder! It was only until someone joked with me while I was reversing the car as to how I had to turn my whole body. The Alba Physio team immediately found the root cause of the problem, quickly got my neck moving again and helped me strengthen my spine. I hadn’t appreciated the link between everything. Now my back feels better, AND I can reverse the car without issue… which comes in handy"
"I'd stopped lifting things and using my right shoulder to save it, but started to panic when my left shoulder started to go. We thought it was spreading! I wouldn’t have believed it was coming from my neck until I felt the massive improvement with treatment. Now I can use both arms without flinching and I am stronger than ever."
"You have given me a GAP in the Pain, which has allowed me think! Something I haven’t been able to do properly in awhile. That then turns into me being able to DO things I haven’t even been able to think of doing for a long time"
"I thought I had run out of options, and had accepted that without even fully realising. I wish I had come sooner, even to learn and see that there is hope, it’s just getting on the right track that is key. Finding out the root cause within 20 minutes of going to Alba Physio was a great relief"
Don't put up with pain and stiffness...
"I never realised how much I was putting up with the pain and stiffness. Being zapped of energy, and finding that I was reaching my tolerance limit regularly throughout the day. My sleep was affected which I just took as normal with pain- Within a session, I saw the difference it was having in my life and how it’s hard to know what it’s like to live without pain, until you have a decrease in pain!!!"
"I was living on Painkillers- I didn’t take them all them like I was originally advised, but when I look back on it. Taking them more and more frequently was worrying me. Getting the right advice and the right treatment, helped me get my health back on track"
"I'd tried exercises, rest, everything. It wasn’t until I went to Alba Physiotherapy that I realised I needed to resolve how my body compensated for my pain, which was years in the making, in order to get the full benefit out of all things I was meant to be doing"
"I thought before I went to Alba Physiotherapy my only options left were steroid injections or failing that..surgery. I'm so glad I found out, before it was too late, that there are far more options that this!"
If you would like to know more and enquire about Cost and Availability we have at Alba Physiotherapy, please click the button below and fill in a short form:
What Other People Are Saying About Alba Physiotherapy
"There's nothing to be skeptical about - there's no magic goes on... it's pure physical, hands-on treatment which I don't believe you can get on the NHS any more"
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"Even just walking down to hang out the washing and stuff like that, it was sore all the time... I thought it would get better the more walking I did, but it didn't"
Maggie
“Fill Out the Form To Get YOUR Special Guide With All The Best Ways To End Neck and Shoulder Pain”
Really friendly team and great service. Would recommend!
Morven Utton
08:05 03 Aug 24
Fab service as always. I’ve used the clinic a few times over the years and the staff are always very friendly and efficient.
CATHERINE MacDonald
12:11 29 May 24
Very friendly and great at explaining and putting you at ease
LizK
07:16 23 May 24
I was referred to Alba following knee replacement surgery. From initial contact, they were friendly, helpful and professional. The physio I saw was excellent and most reassuring about my recovery. The exercise programme being easily available via their online app is brilliant. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them.
Margaret Bryant
17:00 02 May 24
Fabulous, professional service. Good advice and back up with exercises and follow up.
David Cathie
06:54 02 May 24
I’ve been a pretty regular user of Alba over the past 8+ years - both sports injuries & just getting older🥴 - and have always found them professional, friendly & very effective. In short my go to people when pain & discomfort comes a calling!
Clair Fitzsimmons
19:18 24 Apr 24
Got an appointment really quickly and couldn’t of felt more at ease
Malina MacDonald
09:21 19 Apr 24
Wonderful physio for humans and animals. Friendly and caring. Can't recommend them highly enough.
Mojo Gibson
07:31 20 Feb 24
Started some treatment which is a relief as I was concerned about pain, and my physiotherapist was welcoming, very thorough and eager to help. I look forward to working with them.
Angus Robins
11:38 13 Feb 24
The guys at Alba physio have made huge difference and we just can’t help coming back, they are so good!
Edel Thom
12:05 22 Jan 24
Efficient and helpful service. Very knowledgeable.
Josh Smith
10:09 18 Jan 24
Great physiotherapy clinic! They were very accommodating to the urgent nature of my injury. The whole team was friendly, helpful, and most importantly were on point with a diagnosis of the issue. Follow up exercises are making a marked difference to my recovery. Would highly recommend!
Christopher Farmer
10:30 14 Dec 23
Very welcoming and very knowledgeable about there work scopes and explained why I had to do certain exercises and the benefits it would be to myself in the long run .
Shannon Thomson
17:16 07 Dec 23
Amazing very helpful
Fiona McIntyre
19:05 29 Nov 23
These guys are fantastic. They have relieved my neck pain from a 40 year old injury
Maureen Macdonald
20:08 13 Nov 23
Alba Physiotherapy are really good. They give a professional service and give a lot of help and support from day one. Thank you Alba Physiotherapy 😍
Ruth
19:43 29 Sep 23
Very pleased with the care, treatment and advice I have received. Brid quickly spotted what was wrong and explained how she could work with me to remedy the problem, as well as her treatment in clinic providing an exercise plan and lots of information to help me understand. All the staff are friendly and helpful.
Sue (Soo)
11:48 08 Sep 23
Not good, very expensive for what you get , building needs maintenance very shabby inside and out. Would not go back or recommend.
Andrew Mowat
17:24 07 Jul 23
Only one appointment, however so far the customer service has been excellent. Time was has taken to understand my problem and to listen. Follow up stretching information was prompt, which will help me in interim and longer term.
John Smart
21:02 04 Jul 23
Brid and her team at Alba are first class - professional, cheerful and compassionate. They are very customer focused and take the time to learn about your individual needs and pressures when making up programmes and during treatment. I would highly recommend them.
James Johnson
07:40 15 May 23
Friendly, informative and superb treatment.
Christopher Allan
10:09 10 May 23
All staff are very friendly, accommodating and professional and, clinically, the treatments are excellent.
Geoffrey Bond
18:41 09 May 23
I have had a number of physiotherapy session and have found them relaxing and beneficial
Erica
14:40 09 May 23
First class treatment and care, lovely staff and a wonderful understanding of my needs as an amputee. Highly recommended
Neil Lancaster
12:44 09 May 23
Brilliant service. Friendly, knowledgeable and patient. Highly recommended. use of the physio app to support at home exercises is excellent.
Kirstin MacDonald
11:25 09 May 23
Colin Mitchell
11:15 09 May 23
Alba Physiotherapy is by far the best treatment I have received so far. I have seen 4 or 5 different physios in the last 12 years but I got results from Alba almost immediately. The team there really listen to your ailments and get right to the heart of the problem. The online support aswell through the exercise app is 1st class. Highly recommended.
Bruce Neilson
19:05 27 Sep 22
The physiotherapists are excellent here, first class I would highly recommend to anyone with problems Sian Morgan
Kathryn Urquhart
15:20 27 Sep 22
Mairi R
12:00 27 Sep 22
Alba have really helped my mother-in-law (who has Parkinson's) to improve her mobility. A friendly and professional service.
Angela Mosley
19:14 02 Aug 22
I did not get a diagnosis or any improvement with treatment.Despite the advertising I also did not get my money back.Wouldn't recommend
Alastair Cameron
16:48 23 Jun 22
Have just had my first appointment with Alba and was extremely impressed with their professionalism, attention to detail and thoroughness. Am confident that a problem I thought was only going to get worse is actually treatable with the program they will design for my specific condition.
Karen Shane
17:34 09 May 22
Neil MacDonald
22:46 11 Feb 22
All I can say is thank goodness Brid Walsh looks like she is no longer treating horses! Brid Walsh was recommended to me by the Highlands only equine practice to be involved with a lameness issue and oh my what an absolute stressful experience this was! On her last session with my pony she shrugged her shoulders and said that there is nothing more that she could do for my pony, the story certainly doesn’t end there!. When I raised my formal complaint with the practice I requested that Brid write a report of her work and what she had found as I had paid for her services I was entitled to know exactly what I had paid for! On reading the first three lines of her report I was throughly shocked by what I was reading! The report was on the completely wrong leg!! I just couldn’t believe what I was reading that somebody in a medical professional capacity would present a report for a medical record and not even check what they had presented to make sure that it was 100% accurate considering the circumstances for having to request this in the first place. I would urge anyone that has any dealings with her to make sure that you request a copy of anything that she is recording or reporting for medical procedures and purposes to make sure that each report is accurate or better still do exactly what I did and find somebody that actually knows what they are doing and how to treat medical issues that were obviously beyond her professional capacity.I took my pony less than 2 years after Brid said that there was nothing more that she could do for her to the biggest show in Scotland the Royal Highland Show where she had a very busy 4 days of competition.I also left a review on Alba Physiotherapy's social media page and to have this removed because it shows Brid to be unprofessional it gives a clear picture of the integrity of the owner of this business nothing short of a disgrace! Thankfully I had taken a picture of the review on her page.
Alison Gordon
17:16 18 Sep 20
I cannot thank Igor and Alba Physio enough. I developed a frozen shoulder at start of lockdown and thanks to Igor's help, advice and support, am now pain free and fully mobile. Igor and his colleagues at Alba are all so friendly and helpful. I would recommend Alba to anyone with aches, or muscle pain. 5 star and first class
grant innes
22:01 13 Aug 20
I have been seeing Igor at Alba Physiotherapy for a few months now and it has made a huge positive difference to my back pain and other issues. My experience there has been great and I would recommended them to anyone. Everyone’s very friendly there and the facilities are good all
Stephen Chalmers
18:00 16 Jul 20
Highly recommended company and physio Igor. My job is physically and mentally demanding. The unknown cause and unpredictable onset of back spasms and pain regularly was of concern. Igor assessed me and prescribed a course of treatment. My fitness has greatly improved. I now understand my muscles and how to self help in the future. What these guys say you'll need, is what you'll need. Don't Sacrifice your long term health and recovery by cutting short your number of appointments. The practice fully complies with covid 19 regs and you are in safe hands. Highly recommend their Pilates too! Take the plunge and just book! 👍
Sandra Philip
20:41 15 Jul 20
Having had enough of suffering back pain I contacted Alba Physio for help. The service I have received is fantastic. After being assessed at my first appointment my treatment began. Igor is very knowledgeable ,explains everything really well , sends links to demonstrate exercises in case I forget and I can contact him in between appointments if I have any queries.
Anne Macpherson
08:16 10 Jul 20
I attended the clinic with ongoing lower back problems. Doris has been my physio and has been fantastic, as well as treating me she has given me so much information to work with myself, and continue to improve and strengthen. Highly recommend.
Linda Brady
13:06 09 Jul 20
Lovely staff and a lovely friendly atmosphere. Doris has had her work cut out for her helping me with all my arthritis associated ailments but I always feel so much better after a visit. Highly recommended.
Mike Gifford
13:43 19 Jun 20
Brid and her team were very professional and helpful. Igor was very thorough in his treatment and has helped fix my biking related injury which is great! Highly recommended.
