Neck pain

Understanding your pain and finding a way forward

Neck pain is very common and can affect how you move, work, sleep and carry out everyday activities. It can range from a mild ache or stiffness to more persistent pain that begins to interfere with the things you enjoy.

Neck pain can sometimes develop following an obvious injury, but it can also appear without a clear cause. Understanding your symptoms and what may be contributing to them can be an important first step towards managing your pain.

At Castle Eden Chiropractic, we take the time to understand your individual symptoms, lifestyle and goals before developing a personalised approach to your care.

What causes neck pain?

There isn’t always one single cause of neck pain. Your symptoms can be influenced by a combination of physical, lifestyle and other factors.

Common contributing factors can include:

  • Spending long periods sitting or working at a desk

  • Repetitive movements or sustained positions

  • Changes in activity or exercise levels

  • Sleeping in an uncomfortable position

  • Muscle or joint irritation

  • Previous injuries, including whiplash

  • Changes in training load

  • Stress, poor sleep or fatigue

  • Sometimes neck pain develops without an obvious trigger. This does not necessarily mean that there is serious damage to your neck.

What does neck pain feel like?

Neck pain can feel different from person to person. You might experience:

  • Aching or stiffness in the neck

  • Pain when turning or moving your head

  • Tightness through the neck and shoulders

  • Pain after sitting or working for long periods

  • Reduced neck movement

  • Discomfort that extends into the shoulders or upper back

  • Pain that affects your sleep or everyday activities

  • Headaches that occur alongside your neck symptoms

  • Some people may also experience symptoms such as pins and needles, numbness or weakness into the arm. These symptoms can indicate irritation of a nerve and should be appropriately assessed.

How can chiropractic care help?

Your first appointment will begin with a detailed discussion about your symptoms, health history and what you would like to get back to doing.

We will then assess your movement and the areas relevant to your symptoms. This helps us understand your presentation and decide whether chiropractic care is appropriate for you.

Depending on your individual needs, your care may include:

  • Hands-on treatment

  • Manual techniques may be used to help manage pain and improve movement.

  • Exercise and rehabilitation

  • We may recommend specific exercises to help improve your strength, mobility and confidence with movement.

  • Advice and education

  • Understanding your symptoms and knowing how to manage them can be an important part of recovery.

  • A personalised approach

  • There is no single treatment that is right for everyone. Your care will be tailored to your symptoms, lifestyle and goals.

Evidence for neck pain supports approaches that can include exercise and manual therapy, with treatment selected according to the individual and their presentation.

Could your lifestyle be contributing to your neck pain?

Our necks are exposed to sustained positions and repetitive movements throughout the day. Working at a desk, using a phone, driving or spending long periods looking down can sometimes aggravate symptoms.

This doesn’t mean that there is a single “perfect” posture you need to maintain all day. Instead, regularly changing position, taking movement breaks and gradually building your tolerance to different activities can be useful.

If your neck pain is affecting your work, exercise or hobbies, we can help you identify ways to manage your activities while you build your movement and confidence.

Neck pain and headaches

Neck pain and headaches can sometimes occur together. For some people, symptoms may be influenced by the muscles and joints around the neck.

However, headaches can have many different causes. If you are experiencing new, severe or unusual headaches, or if your headache is accompanied by other concerning symptoms, you should seek appropriate medical advice.

When should I seek medical advice?

Most neck pain is not caused by a serious underlying condition. However, some symptoms require further medical assessment.

Seek urgent medical attention if your neck pain is accompanied by symptoms such as:

  • Significant weakness or loss of sensation

  • New problems with balance, coordination or walking

  • Loss of bladder or bowel control

  • Numbness affecting both arms or both legs

  • Severe symptoms following a significant injury

  • A severe or unusual headache

  • Symptoms that make you feel seriously unwell

If you’re concerned about your symptoms, it’s always appropriate to seek advice from your GP or another healthcare professional.

  • This varies from person to person. Some episodes settle relatively quickly, while others can persist or recur. Your recovery can be influenced by factors such as your symptoms, activity levels, sleep, stress and previous experiences with neck pain.

  • A chiropractor can assess your symptoms, determine whether chiropractic care is appropriate and provide an individualised management plan. If your presentation requires a different type of care, you can also be referred or directed to an appropriate healthcare professional. Chiropractic care may form part of a management plan for some people with neck pain. Treatment may include manual therapy alongside exercise, advice and education, depending on your individual needs.

  • Pain that extends from the neck into the shoulder or arm can have several possible causes. If you are experiencing symptoms such as numbness, pins and needles or weakness, these should be assessed appropriately.

  • Often, yes. Remaining active and gradually returning to normal activities can be helpful. You may need to temporarily modify certain exercises or activities depending on your symptoms.