Neck pain

Does this sound like you?

• You wake up and can't turn your head to one side. It came on overnight, seemingly out of nowhere
• Your neck is fine first thing, but aches from mid-afternoon onwards
• You get a tight, gripping ache at the base of your skull
• Checking your blind spot or reversing the car has become a whole-body manoeuvre
• You've noticed pins and needles or a dull ache spreading into your shoulder or arm

What's usually going on

Most neck pain is mechanical. That means the problem is in how the joints, muscles and other tissues of the neck are moving and loading, not a disease, and not something sinister.

Your neck holds your head up all day. If you spend hours at a desk, in a van, or looking down at a phone, some structures end up doing far more work than others. Over time, that shows up as stiffness, aching and loss of movement.

The good news: mechanical problems respond well to being assessed properly and treated.

How I can help

I treat mechanical neck pain. That starts with working out which structures are actually involved, using a physical examination and a proper history.

Treatment usually combines hands-on work to the joints and soft tissues with specific advice about movement, work setup and loading.

What treatment looks like

‹ ›

What happens at your first appointment

We talk through what's going on and how it started. I examine your neck, movement, strength, and the surrounding areas that often contribute. Then I tell you plainly what I think is going on and what I'd suggest doing about it.

In most cases I'll treat you the same visit. If I don't think chiropractic is the right answer, I'll say so and point you somewhere better.

How long will it take?

Many patients start noticing changes during the early stages of care, but recovery time varies considerably. A typical course involves once-weekly visits unless the severity warrants a higher frequency, with regular reassessments against your goals. Some people are ready to finish up once the pain settles; others want to keep building on their progress beyond just being pain-free.

I'll give you an honest estimate at the end of your first appointment, and I'll tell you if it's not going the way I expected.

What you can do right now

• Keep moving. Gentle movement is best, as long as it isn't increasing your pain.
• Change position often. Every 30 minutes at a desk, do something different for 30 seconds.
• Check your pillow. Ideally, use one that keeps your head in line with your body, not propped up or drooping.