Neck Pain

What is Neck Pain?

Neck pain is a common complaint affecting the cervical spine - the seven vertebrae that make up your neck. This pain can range from a mild ache to severe, debilitating discomfort that restricts movement and affects daily activities. Neck pain can be acute (lasting less than 6 weeks), subacute (6-12 weeks), or chronic (persisting beyond 12 weeks).

The neck is a complex structure involving vertebrae, discs, muscles, ligaments, and nerves that work together to support your head and allow for movement. Pain can arise from any of these structures and may be accompanied by stiffness, headaches, or radiating symptoms into the shoulders and arms.

What Causes Neck Pain?

Neck pain can develop from various factors, often involving multiple contributing elements:

Mechanical causes:

  • Postural stress from prolonged computer work or desk jobs

  • Sleeping in awkward positions or with poor pillow support

  • Sudden movements or whiplash from accidents

  • Muscle strains from overuse or sudden exertion

  • Joint dysfunction or stiffness in the cervical spine

  • Disc problems including herniation or degeneration

Lifestyle factors:

  • Forward head posture from excessive screen time

  • Weak deep neck flexor muscles

  • Tight upper trapezius and levator scapulae muscles

  • Poor ergonomic setup at work or home

  • Stress and tension contributing to muscle tightness

  • Lack of regular movement and exercise

Work-related factors:

  • Prolonged computer work with poor monitor positioning

  • Jobs requiring repetitive neck movements

  • Carrying heavy bags on one shoulder

  • Poor workstation ergonomics

  • Extended periods looking down at mobile devices ("text neck")

Risk factors:

  • Previous neck injuries or whiplash

  • Age-related changes in cervical spine structure

  • Poor sleep quality and inadequate pillow support

  • High stress levels and anxiety

  • Participation in contact sports

What Are the Symptoms?

Neck pain presents with varying symptoms depending on the underlying cause:

Primary symptoms:

  • Aching or stiffness in the neck and upper shoulders

  • Sharp, localised pain that may worsen with movement

  • Muscle spasms that can be severely painful

  • Reduced range of motion in the neck

Activity-related symptoms:

  • Pain when turning your head or looking up and down

  • Discomfort when sitting at a computer for extended periods

  • Morning stiffness that may improve throughout the day

  • Pain that worsens with stress or tension

  • Difficulty finding comfortable sleeping positions

Associated symptoms:

  • Headaches, particularly at the base of the skull

  • Pain radiating into the shoulders, arms, or upper back

  • Numbness or tingling in the arms or hands

  • Muscle weakness in the arms (may indicate nerve involvement)

  • Dizziness or balance problems in some cases

Functional limitations:

  • Difficulty with driving, particularly checking blind spots

  • Reduced ability to perform work tasks requiring neck movement

  • Sleep disturbance due to pain and discomfort

  • Compensatory movement patterns affecting shoulders and upper back

  • Reduced confidence in physical activities

Warning signs requiring immediate attention:

  • Severe headache with neck stiffness and fever

  • Numbness or weakness in both arms

  • Loss of coordination or balance

  • Neck pain following a significant injury or accident

Struggling with persistent neck pain? Our specialist team has extensive experience treating neck pain across all populations, from office workers to professional athletes. We provide comprehensive assessment, targeted manual therapy techniques including spinal manipulation and joint mobilisation, and bespoke rehabilitation programmes to address both symptoms and underlying causes.