Managing recurring neck pain
Bill is 48 years old and works long hours. He gets very little exercise, sits in front of a computer all day and often feels stressed. He experiences recurrent neck pain which he blames on an whiplash as a result of a car accident in his twenties.
He visits a chiropractor, explaining how his right sided neck pain is now causing headaches on the same side. The history and orthopaedic examination confirms ‘cervicogenic’ (neck-based) headaches and Bill responds well to the manual therapy provided by the chiropractor. The chiropractor also discusses with Bill his sedentary lifestyle and stressful work situation.
Bill finally agrees to start a Pilates program with a local exercise physiologist and to take a walk during his lunch breaks to clear his head. He also agrees to stop working on weekends. The chiropractor explains that if his work-related stress continues to be an issue, he may benefit from some counselling and gives Bill the name of a local psychologist. Bill agrees to review his progress with the chiropractor after one month.