Neck Pain

Acute neck pain is usually caused by a strain or sprain of an intervertebral disc (commonly C2/3), the cervical facet joints, or the supporting muscles and ligaments. Some neck pain involves nerve tissue irritation: disc herniations, bulges or bony spurs can compress nerve roots and produce cervical radiculopathy, with pain, numbness, pins and needles or weakness referring into the arm.

Whiplash from acceleration-deceleration injuries is another common cause. Chronic neck pain tends to be driven by poor posture and prolonged sitting, cervical spine instability, reduced muscle strength and support, inflexibility of the shoulder girdle and chest muscles, and pain sensitisation.

Early physio treatment involves hands-on manual therapy, dry needling and soft tissue massage to provide pain relief. Once pain is under control we prescribe therapeutic stretches and exercises for the deep cervical muscles to support the joints of the neck and prevent recurrence.