Wry Neck Brisbane

sore neck joint

Wry Neck (or locked and sore neck joint)

So you’ve woken up with a sore neck joint, it could be Wry Neck. This is is an extremely common condition.  It is considered an acute injury because an individual suffering a wry neck is dealing with constant pain and an inability to perform some or all fundamental neck movements easily.

Symptoms usually occur quickly and people often Google “muscle spasms in neck” or “locked neck joint” and “sore neck joint”.

The typical presentation is to wake up with neck pain and an inability to turn the head fully.

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Wry Neck Causes

The two main types of Wry Neck are called Facet Wry Neck caused by a locked facet joint or Discogenic Wry Neck caused by a severe injury to a disc.

What is Facet Wry Neck?

Acute wry neck is most commonly caused by a dysfunctional facet joint that is locked in place facet joint 

Facet joints guide and limit movement of their respective vertebra.

There are two facet joints (left and right) in each vertebra.

Acute injury is a common cause of Facet joint dysfunction in the under 40’s. Joint motion can stiffen (through degenerative diseases such as arthritis)  – which is known as hypomobility. Conversely, joint motion can become excessive (usually due to lax ligaments) – known as hypermobility

Injury and degenerative change (arthritis) can alter the movement of the joint – both extremes of mobility can create circumstances where the joint is stuck at the extremes of its range. Usually Wry neck is apparent on waking.  Causes include poor pillows, restless sleep (tossing and turning) and waking up with a start.  Stress can be causative.

Wry neck pain is usually associated with protective muscle spasm and irritable nerve endings telling the brain that the joint is not operating normally.  The brain responds by generating pain to stop the body from performing tasks that will increase damage to the joint.

Sore neck joint? Wry Neck Signs and Symptoms 

Sudden Pain – usually on the affected side of the neck or in the centre of the neck.

Loss of usual motion – The locked sore neck joint means that the neck is stuck in a strange position – usually locked on the side opposite to the pain. The pain is aggravated by movement in all directions.

Protective Muscle Spasm in neck – the muscles tighten up to reduce movement and damage.

Say Goodbye to the Stiffness and Hello to Flexibility!

Our team of qualified Therapists specializes in effective restoration and neck movement quality. Your journey to a healthier, more comfortable neck starts here!
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Sore neck joint Treatment

All treatments start with an assessment.  This is how your Myotherapist will ascertain what is wrong and in this case – which joint(s) are locked causing the painful neck spasm.

Your Myotherapist will perform a series of gentle joint mobilisations to unlock the facet joint(S) and use manual therapies such as massage and dry needling to calm the muscle spasm and restore movement quality.

The muscles may require several days to lose the irritable feeling.

Low level Laser therapy may be utilised to restore pain free function rapidly and remove spasm.

What is Discogenic Wry Neck?

Discogenic Wry Neck occurs when a disc protrudes posteriorly and presses against the surrounding structures and nerves causing a sore neck joint.

Signs and Symptoms of Discogenic Wry Neck

  • usually gradual onset
  • A dull pain is usually experienced in the lower neck and shoulder
  • Pain often radiates into the arms
  • Unlike a facet wry neck, the neck is not locked – movement causes significant pain (which is a protective response to reduce further damage). Sufferers usually hold the away from the painful side to decrease the pain.
  • Muscle Spasm
  • pins and needles, weakness in your arms or legs and numbness can result from the compressed nerves. Immediately seek medical assistance if these symptoms occur.

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Myotherapy to treat a Discogenic Wry Neck

A discogenic wry neck will take multiple weeks to rehabilitate.  

Myotherapy can assist with the restoration of function. This includes, full multi-directional range of movement in the neck and a program of strengthening to recover stability in the neck to stop degeneration and fear of movement.

Treatment Goals for a Disc related Wry Neck

  • Comprehensive assessment and diagnosis
  • Educate you about ways to improve recovery and de-threaten activities that cause no harm
  • Techniques to deload an irritable Disc – nerve flossing, sliders and gliders
  • Restore range of motion
  • Reduce muscle spasm – Laser, massage, dry needling and joint mobilisations
  • Recognise postural factors that may irritate the disc and provide alternative options
  • Exercise plan to empower you and help make the pain of your sore neck joint a memory

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Many forms of wry neck can be remedied quickly with the exception of wry neck caused by a bulging disc in the neck – which can take many months to recover from as the disc bulge is reabsorbed. The most common cause of wry neck is a dysfunctional facet joint (vertebral joint) that is locked in place Injury and age related change (arthritis) can alter the movement of the joint – too much or too little mobility can create circumstances where the joint sticks at the extremes of its range.
Absolutely yes. A locked facet joint can compress the nerve root upsetting the nerves usual range of motion. Referred pain into the arm frequently originates in the neck, where the nerves that service the arm (c5-t1) originate. It is very common for arm symptoms to disappear or reduce with neck treatment.
Absolutely yes. Muscle spasm and joint pain can quickly cause headache and migraine. The upper cervical joints (c0-c3) are well documented as triggers of many forms of headache and migraine.
This is a very complex question. Mostly yes, but sometimes the locked joint requires intervention to unlock the irritable vertebral level or in the case of discogenic wry neck, the process of the disc being reabsorbed can take upto 2 years.
  • Acute wry neck is most commonly caused by a dysfunctional facet joint (vertebral joint) that is locked in place Injury and age related change (arthritis) can alter the movement of the joint – too much or too little mobility can create circumstances where the joint sticks at the extremes of its range.
  • Usually Wry neck is apparent on waking.up
  • Causes include poor pillows, restless sleep (tossing and turning) and waking up with a start.  Stress can be causative.
  • Wry neck pain is usually associated with protective muscle spasm and irritable nerve endings telling the brain that the joint is not operating normally.  The brain responds by generating pain to stop the body from performing tasks that will increase damage to the joint.

This is a very complex question. Sometimes a wry neck will unlock on its own (not very likely), often the locked joint requires intervention to unlock the irritable vertebral level – or in the case of discogenic wry neck, the process of the disc being reabsorbed can take upto 2 years.
This is a very complex question. Sometimes a wry neck will unlock on its own (not very likely), often the locked joint requires intervention to unlock the irritable vertebral level – or in the case of discogenic wry neck, the process of the disc being reabsorbed can take upto 2 years.
This is a very complex question. Wry neck pain usually lasts until the irritable facet joint unlocks, or the disc bulge shrinks. Sometimes a wry neck will unlock on its own (not very likely), often the locked joint requires intervention to unlock the irritable vertebral level – or in the case of discogenic wry neck, the process of the disc being reabsorbed can take upto 2 years.

Wry neck caused by a locked joint is relatively easy to treat.At Knead Massage Brisbane, your Myotherapist will perform:

  • gentle joint mobilisations to unlock the facet joint(S)
  • Low level Laser therapy may be utilised to restore pain free function rapidly and remove spasm.
  • use manual therapies such as massage and dry needling to calm the muscle spasm and restore movement quality.

The muscles may require several days to lose the irritable feeling.

Wry neck caused by a locked joint is relatively easy to treat.At Knead Massage Brisbane, your Myotherapist will perform:

  • gentle joint mobilisations to unlock the facet joint(S)
  • Low level Laser therapy may be utilised to restore pain free function rapidly and remove spasm.
  • use manual therapies such as massage and dry needling to calm the muscle spasm and restore movement quality.

The muscles may require several days to lose the irritable feeling.

  • Acute wry neck is most commonly caused by a dysfunctional facet joint (vertebral joint) that is locked in place Injury and age related change (arthritis) can alter the movement of the joint – too much or too little mobility can create circumstances where the joint sticks at the extremes of its range.
  • Wry neck pain is usually associated with protective muscle spasm and irritable nerve endings telling the brain that the joint is not operating normally.  The brain responds by generating pain to stop the body from performing tasks that will increase damage to the joint.

There are two causes of wry neck.  Locked vertebral joints are relatively straight forward to treat.

Wry neck caused by a locked joint is relatively easy to treat.At Knead Massage Brisbane, your Myotherapist will perform:

  • gentle joint mobilisations to unlock the facet joint(S)
  • Low level Laser therapy may be utilised to restore pain free function rapidly and remove spasm.
  • use manual therapies such as massage and dry needling to calm the muscle spasm and restore movement quality.

The muscles may require several days to lose the irritable feeling.

Wry neck caused by a bulging disc will require a long term treatment plan.  Statistically disc bulges take 18-24 months to shrink.

The risks of wry neck include:

  • damaging the neck joint further by trying to force movement while the neck has not been properly “unlocked”
  • further irritating disc bulges by performing strenuous activity that causes prolonged muscle contraction.
  • Damage to the nerve tissues from chronic inflammation that may lead to neuroplastic change causing a sensitivity syndrome such as central sensitivity.

This question is hard to answer with authority. It is feasible that some people are more likely to develop wry neck than others because of their bone structure, musculature and postural tendencies. Statistically females are more likely to experience wry neck than men, due to ligament laxity and muscular size and endurance. People who have experienced whiplash are more likely to develop intermittent wry neck.

Yes, wry neck is usually extremely painful as it  is a protective muscle spasm telling the brain that a neck joint is not operating normally.  The brain responds by generating pain to stop the body from performing tasks that will increase damage to the joint.

Acute wry neck is most commonly caused by a dysfunctional facet joint (vertebral joint) that is locked in place Injury and age related change (arthritis) can alter the movement of the joint – too much or too little mobility can create circumstances where the joint sticks at the extremes of its range.

Another common form of wry neck is caused by a bulging disc in the neck which presses on the nerve root when the neck assumes certain positions.

  • Wry neck pain is usually associated with protective muscle spasm and irritable nerve endings telling the brain that the joint is not operating normally.  The brain responds by generating pain to stop the body from performing tasks that will increase damage to the joint.
  • Acute wry neck is most commonly caused by a dysfunctional facet joint (vertebral joint) that is locked in place Injury and age related change (arthritis) can alter the movement of the joint – too much or too little mobility can create circumstances where the joint sticks at the extremes of its range.
  • Usually Wry neck is apparent on waking.up
  • Causes include poor pillows, restless sleep (tossing and turning) and waking up with a start.  Stress can be causative.

  • Wry neck pain is usually associated with protective muscle spasm and irritable nerve endings telling the brain that the joint is not operating normally.  The brain responds by generating pain to stop the body from performing tasks that will increase damage to the joint.
  • Acute wry neck is most commonly caused by a dysfunctional facet joint (vertebral joint) that is locked in place Injury and age related change (arthritis) can alter the movement of the joint – too much or too little mobility can create circumstances where the joint sticks at the extremes of its range.
  • Usually Wry neck is apparent on waking.up
  • Causes include poor pillows, restless sleep (tossing and turning) and waking up with a start.  Stress can be causative.

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Roger Morelli

Roger Morelli

Myotherapist at Knead Massage & Natural Therapies
Roger Morelli is a Myotherapist at Knead Massage in Brisbane CBD. He loves helping clients improve their quality of life with effective Myotherapy and corrective exercise treatments. He has a special interest in lower limb issues after experiencing a life changing car accident 20 years ago.
Roger Morelli
Roger Morelli

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