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Necks can be can be uncomfortable and painful and are a common reason for seeking treatment. If you have a painful or restricted neck how often do you notice that other areas are also distressed such as your upper or lower back or hips for example?

A long time ago as humans evolved to walk on two legs our cervical spines adapted to support our heads in the upright position.  The cervical spine which consists of seven vertebrae muscles, ligaments, blood vessels, nerves and vital organs, needs to move freely to support the head, (which weighs about 3 kilos), and allow us to look straight ahead.

As an osteopath according to our first principle “The body is a unit” I am interested in seeing how other parts of the body may contribute to neck pain.

I am often using my hands to examine and release tension in the upper and middle ribs, upper and lower back and pelvis before working on the neck. My aim is to improve other areas that support good function of the neck and help the whole body feel and move better.

Techniques I may use include soft tissue, inhibition and stretching of tight muscles, articulation of joints of the neck, ribs, shoulders and upper back and neural release of specific cervical nerves and their surrounding layers or dura.

Things that may contribute to neck problems include:

• Sustained neck postures such as looking down at mobile phones, tablets and laptops.
• Slouching and poor sitting posture
• Poor work ergonomics particularly to do with using computers.
• Excessive overhead lifting of weights.

​Things that may assist good neck function include:

• Attending to posture, head neck shoulders in line.
• Regular walking heel to toe.
• Shoulder rolls and upper back stretches.
• Avoiding wearing high heels.

If you’ve ever had a problem such as a sore back, headache, sciatica or a painful knee it’s likely that you have looked for some kind of professional to help.  Physiotherapists and osteopaths are both allied health professionals whose aims are to relieve pain and help your body work better however the differences between them can be confusing.
 
This article takes a closer look at each profession to find out what they do and how they are different. It may help your guide your choice in making your choice.

Physio’s and Osteo’s probably have more in common than you think, however there are some differences in philosophy, aims, methods of treating and training.

Aims and philosophy:

The aim of physiotherapy is to improve function through rehabilitation i.e.to improve a person’s ability to move and function.  Physios are experts in rehabilitation of injuries and exercise-based management of conditions. They use their in-depth knowledge of anatomy and physiology to assess and treat people with a range of health conditions from sporting injuries, neck and back pain, to people recovering from stroke, brain or spinal cord injury, and conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, osteoporosis and cystic fibrosis.

Osteopaths are experts at manual therapy and their treatments are almost exclusively hands on.  Osteopaths believe that there is a strong relationship between the body’s structure (mechanics) and its function. Their aim is to improve the body’s structure and hence function by working physically using the hands. They have a holistic approach and follow the following principals: “the body is a whole’,“all the body’s systems are interconnected” and that “the body has the ability to self-heal”. A practical example of that is if you see an osteopath for neck pain, they will likely take a look at your upper back, ribs and pelvis as well as your neck.

In contrast Physiotherapy treatment may focus more on mobilising the site of injury rather than the ‘whole body’ approach.

Training and education:

Physios are trained in a wide range of areas and have a much broader scope of practice than Osteos. They work in all sectors of healthcare, including public hospitals, private practice, rehabilitation centres, sporting clubs and community health centers. In Australia, all physiotherapists must complete at the very minimum a bachelor degree (usually four years) in physiotherapy, however many practicing physios have a masters or professional doctorate.

All physiotherapists must be registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Registration Agency. (AHPRA)

Osteopathic training is almost exclusively in the workings of the human body involving medical science and practical skills and technique. It involves developing advanced palpatory and diagnostic skills.  Osteopaths almost exclusively work in private practice.

In Australia Osteopaths undergo a five-year University training with an undergraduate applied science degree and a Master’s degree.
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All Osteopaths must be registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Registration Agency. (AHPRA)