Conditions we treat
Neck Pain
Reviewed by Andrew Macdonald, Senior Physiotherapist — AHPRA registered, APA member
What Causes Neck Pain?
Neck pain is rarely caused by a single incident. It’s usually a build-up of factors — prolonged desk work, poor sitting posture, stress, and reduced mobility through the neck and upper back — though trauma like whiplash or a sports injury can also be the cause. The neck doesn’t work in isolation either: poor mobility or stability in the lower back and pelvis can also contribute to problems higher up.
Symptoms
Neck pain can range from a dull ache to sharp, limiting pain, and is often accompanied by stiffness or headaches, or pain referring into the shoulders, upper back and arms.
Treatment
Andrew’s assessment looks at the whole picture, not just the neck itself, combining manual therapy, dry needling and trigger point therapy to ease pain and restore movement, alongside spinal mobilisation techniques to help restore normal movement through the neck and upper back. A tailored exercise programme addresses the postural and movement habits behind the pain, so it’s less likely to return.
How we treat it
Treatments used for neck pain
Manual TherapyManual therapy uses hands-on techniques — soft tissue work, trigger point therapy, joint mobilisation and fascia distortion release — to ease pain, restore movement and speed recovery.
Dry NeedlingDry needling uses thin, sterile needles to release tight, overactive trigger points in muscle — a Western, evidence-based technique distinct from traditional acupuncture.
Exercise RehabilitationA structured, progressive exercise programme — tailored to your condition and stage of recovery — to rebuild strength, restore movement and prevent injuries recurring.Frequently asked questions
What causes neck pain that won't go away?
Persistent neck pain is rarely caused by one single incident — it's usually a build-up of factors like prolonged desk work, poor sitting posture, stress, and reduced mobility through the neck and upper back. Andrew's assessment looks at the whole picture, including how the lower back and pelvis are contributing, rather than treating the neck in isolation.
Can neck pain cause headaches?
Yes — this is very common. Tight, restricted joints and muscles in the neck can refer pain upward and trigger what's known as a cervicogenic headache, along with pain into the shoulders and upper back. Treating the neck often resolves headaches that haven't responded to other approaches.
Is it bad to crack your neck?
Self-cracking your own neck repeatedly isn't recommended — it typically mobilises the already-mobile segments rather than the stiff ones actually causing your symptoms, and can become a habit that doesn't address the underlying problem. A physiotherapy assessment identifies which specific joints need treatment.
How do I know if my neck pain is serious?
Most neck pain is mechanical and responds well to physiotherapy. See Andrew urgently if neck pain follows a trauma like a car accident or fall, or if it comes with numbness, tingling or weakness down an arm, dizziness, or difficulty with coordination — these need a thorough assessment to rule out more serious causes.
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