Neck pain · Crows Nest · Lower North Shore
Neck pain chiropractor in Crows Nest.
Stiff, achy or locked-up neck? We assess where the movement has been lost, treat it hands-on, and give you the strength work that stops it coming back every few months.
What's usually driving neck pain
Most neck pain is mechanical. The joints of the cervical spine lose some of their normal glide, the surrounding muscles increase their tone to protect the area, and the whole region becomes stiff and sensitive. It can arrive overnight with no obvious cause, or build slowly over weeks of long desk hours, heavy training, phone use and poor sleep.
It often shows up as pain at the base of the neck and across the top of the shoulders, difficulty turning your head to one side, headaches from the base of the skull, or a sharp catch with certain movements. None of that means something is out of place or crumbling. It means the area isn't moving and tolerating load the way it should.
What we assess
- Range of motion through the cervical and upper thoracic spine, and which directions provoke your symptoms
- Joint-by-joint testing of the upper neck, especially where headaches are part of the picture
- Muscle tone and trigger points through the suboccipitals, upper trapezius, levator scapulae and scalenes
- Deep neck flexor endurance and shoulder girdle strength
- Nerve screening where you have arm pain, pins and needles or weakness
- Your day: screen setup, hours seated, training load, sleep position and stress
How we treat it
Hands-on care restores movement quickly. Depending on your presentation and preference, that means cervical and thoracic manipulation or graded mobilisation, soft tissue therapy through the neck and shoulder girdle, and dry needling into the muscles that are holding tension.
Then we build tolerance. Deep neck flexor and scapular work, thoracic mobility, and progressive upper body strength give the neck the capacity to handle desk days and training weeks without flaring. We'll also make practical changes to your setup and your habits, which matters more than any single treatment.
If headaches are part of your picture, treatment focuses on the upper cervical segments and the muscles at the base of the skull, which is where cervicogenic headache is generated.
Neck pain that refers into the arm
Pain, pins and needles or weakness travelling down the arm suggests nerve irritation in the neck. It's usually manageable conservatively, but it changes the assessment, the treatment choices and the expected timeframe, so we test for it properly rather than treating everything the same way.
Go deeper
Read more: neck pain and headaches →Frequently asked questions
Can neck problems really cause headaches?
Yes. Cervicogenic headache is pain referred from the joints, muscles and nerves of the upper neck. It typically starts at the base of the skull and spreads over one side of the head, and it often eases as neck movement and tone improve.
Is it safe to have your neck adjusted?
Neck manipulation is a common technique with a strong safety record for appropriate presentations, and we screen carefully before using it. If it isn't suitable, or you'd simply rather not, gentle mobilisation, soft tissue therapy and dry needling achieve a similar goal.
Why does my neck get worse at my desk?
Sustained positions load the same tissues for hours without variation. It's less about perfect posture and more about how long you hold any one position, and how much strength and endurance the neck and shoulder girdle have to tolerate it.
How many visits will I need?
Most straightforward neck pain responds within a handful of visits, with a home program running alongside. We review formally at regular intervals so you always know where you stand.
Should I get a scan for neck pain?
Rarely, for typical mechanical neck pain. We refer for imaging when the history or examination suggests it will change your management.
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Book a chiropractor in Crows Nest
455 Pacific Hwy, Crows Nest NSW 2065, serving the Lower North Shore. Book an initial consultation and we'll build a plan around your pain, movement and goals.
The information on this page is general in nature and does not replace individual medical advice. Treatment recommendations are made following an individual assessment, and referral for further investigation may be recommended where clinically appropriate.