Shoulder, Neck, and Back Pain Ineffective Massage for a Hong Kong Man Revealing 2 Incorrect Postures Leading to Musculoskeletal Strain

Shoulder, neck, or back pain is a common urban ailment experienced by many people in Hong Kong. As a result, it is often taken lightly, and with temporary relief from massages or self-applied heat, the condition may seem to improve. This easily leads patients to overlook the seriousness of the issue. However, when the pain repeatedly resurfaces, failure to address it promptly can potentially worsen into more severe symptoms, even extending to the head, as seen in the following case of a male patient.

Chiropractor Yau Hoi Ying emphasizes that shoulder, neck, and back pain often result from poor posture or bad habits. In addition to breaking these "bad habits", patients also need to receive systematic spinal and muscular treatments correctly in order to achieve a complete cure. This approach helps prevent the development of pain in other areas and ensures long-term relief from discomfort.

Prolonged Shoulder, Neck, and Back Pain: Hong Kong Man Seek Medical Help as a Last Resort

- Recently, there was a male patient who sought medical help for neck pain. He mentioned that the pain extended to both shoulders and occasionally manifested as discomfort around the base of the skull and behind the ears.

- Despite suffering from this shoulder, neck, and back pain for several years, the patient had never sought medical attention before.

- The patient explained that he occasionally sought massages and applied heat to alleviate the symptoms, which provided temporary relief. As a result, he dismissed the need for professional treatment.

- However, as time went on, the effectiveness of these self-care measures diminished, and the relief lasted only one to two days. The tightness and pain in the neck and shoulders would then return after two or three days.

- Fortunately, the patient eventually decided to seek medical help, which prevented the condition from further deterioration. Otherwise, the pain could have spread to the head, causing additional headaches and complicating the treatment process.

Simultaneous Shoulder, Neck, and Back Pain: Trapezius Muscle Pain

Shoulder pain, neck pain, and back soreness can occur individually. However, for individuals suffering from trapezius muscle syndrome, all three can simultaneously manifest, causing immense discomfort and significantly impairing work efficiency and quality of life.

How Do Chiropractors Treat Shoulder, Neck, and Back Pain?

Chiropractor Yau Hoi Ying explains that the first step is to identify the underlying cause of the shoulder, neck, and back pain. Taking trapezius muscle pain syndrome as an example, it can be caused by issues within the muscle itself. Additionally, due to the trapezius muscle's attachment to the bones and its sensory involvement through the cervical nerves, the source of the pain will likely involve the cervical and thoracic spine.

Therefore, chiropractors typically address both the muscular and spinal issues simultaneously to effectively alleviate trapezius muscle pain syndrome.

Can Posture Corrector Braces Effectively Improve Shoulder, Neck, and Back Pain?

The currently popular "Posture Corrector Braces" advertised to improve shoulder, neck, and back pain, but are they truly effective? Chiropractor Yau Hoi Ying explains that firstly, posture corrector braces or shoulder braces are not designed to correct the spine. Their main function is to provide support for the shoulders and assist patients in maintaining an upright posture.

The purpose of a posture corrector brace is not to treat the condition but rather to serve as a reminder to maintain good posture.

Yau Hoi Ying reminds everyone to use posture corrector braces with caution, ensuring not to fasten them too tightly to avoid affecting blood circulation. It is also important not to overly rely on the corrective brace.

To alleviate and prevent shoulder, neck, and back pain, the focus should be on improving improper posture and habits.