So here we are, the final bank holiday and the last week of the summer holidays. I’m not quite sure where those six weeks have gone!
Hopefully you’ve all had a fantastic summer, managed to get away or spend some quality time with family and friends and made the most of what has been some pretty amazing weather.
Our kids are back to school next week, so we’re looking forward to getting back into a bit of routine. As lovely as the summer holidays are, I think by this point everyone is ready for some structure again, parents included!
We’ve also got loads planned in the clinics for September. One thing we’re particularly keen to do more of is getting out into the local community and running our free health and wellbeing talks.
If you’re part of a local business, community group, sports club or team, we’d love to come and spend 30-45 minutes with you. We can cover things like back pain, injury prevention, staying active, workplace health and keeping your team feeling healthy and productive. There’s absolutely no charge for the talk, so if you think your workplace, club or community could benefit, just get in touch and we’ll arrange it.
We’re also really excited to officially welcome Hannah to the team! She started seeing clients over at our Marlow clinic this week and has settled in brilliantly already. So if you’re dealing with shoulder pain, neck pain, sciatica or knee pain, feel free to book a session with her.
Additionally, on the subject of Marlow, we are very close to securing a new location for the clinic, which is really exciting. Hopefully we’ll have some more news to share with you on that very soon.
So, enjoy the last few days of the summer holidays, good luck to all the parents getting everyone back into school mode and we’re looking forward to seeing lots of familiar faces again in September.
Have a fantastic bank holiday!
Neck Pain: Why It Happens, What Helps, and When to Get It Checked
Have you ever woken up, turned your head and thought, “What on earth happened to my neck overnight?”
You went to bed perfectly normally. You didn’t fall down the stairs. You didn’t attempt a new Olympic sport. Yet somehow, checking your blind spot in the car suddenly requires turning your entire body.
Neck pain is incredibly common and I see people experiencing everything from a mildly annoying stiff neck to discomfort that affects their work, exercise, driving and sleep.
Sometimes it settles relatively quickly. Other times, it keeps coming back and that’s when it’s worth looking beyond the painful spot and asking a better question:
Why is my neck getting irritated in the first place?
What Is Neck Pain?
Your neck or cervical spine is made up of seven vertebrae, along with discs, joints, muscles, ligaments and nerves. It has an impressive job. It supports your head while allowing you to look up, down and around throughout the day.
And we ask a lot of it!
Think about a normal day: checking your phone, driving, working at a laptop, carrying bags, exercising and then perhaps spending an evening looking down at another screen.
Neck pain can arise from several structures and may be associated with muscle tension, irritated joints, injury, age related changes or irritation of a nerve. In some people, problems involving a cervical disc the cushioning structure between vertebrae can also contribute to neck and arm symptoms.
What Are the Common Symptoms of Neck Pain?
Neck pain doesn’t feel the same for everyone.
You may notice:
- An aching or sore neck
- Stiffness or difficulty turning your head
- Tightness across your neck and shoulders
- Pain around the shoulder blades
- Headaches associated with neck discomfort
- Pain that becomes worse after prolonged sitting
- Reduced range of movement
- Pain extending toward the shoulder or arm
If a nerve in the neck becomes irritated or compressed, symptoms can sometimes include pins and needles, numbness or weakness in an arm or hand.
Those neurological symptoms are worth having professionally assessed rather than simply assuming you have slept awkwardly.
Why Does Neck Pain Happen?
There isn’t one universal cause of neck pain (and your pillow isn’t always the villain!)
1. Long Hours at a Desk
One pattern I regularly discuss with patients is neck discomfort that gradually increases throughout the working day.
Picture this: You start work at 9 a.m. sitting reasonably well. By 11 a.m., you’ve moved closer to the screen. After lunch, your shoulders are creeping upward. By 4 p.m., your head is forward, your back is rounded and your coffee cup has become an essential piece of office equipment.
Sound familiar?
Sitting isn’t automatically bad for you. The bigger issue is often staying in one position for too long.
Regular movement and changing positions can help reduce the physical load associated with prolonged desk work.
2. Phones and Screens
Your head is relatively heavy and your neck has to support it all day.
Looking down at a phone for extended periods can place the neck in a sustained flexed position. That doesn’t mean checking Instagram will instantly damage your spine but hours spent repeatedly holding one posture, may contribute to muscular fatigue or discomfort in some people.
Try bringing your phone toward eye level occasionally instead of always bringing your head down to your phone.
Your neck may appreciate the promotion.
3. Stress and Muscle Tension
Ever noticed your shoulders slowly heading toward your ears during a stressful day?
Stress can influence muscle tension and how we experience pain. That means looking after your neck isn’t only about posture.
Sleep, regular exercise, recovery, relaxation and taking breaks all form part of the bigger picture.
4. Injury and Physical Activity
Sports injuries, sudden movements, falls and road traffic accidents can all contribute to neck pain.
Sometimes the cause is obvious. Other times, symptoms develop gradually following repeated loading or changes in activity.
If your neck pain began after significant trauma, getting an appropriate assessment is particularly important.
Why Is My Neck Pain Worse at Night?
This is a question I hear regularly.
If neck pain interrupts your sleep, it can create a frustrating cycle: your neck hurts, you sleep poorly, you wake up tired and suddenly everything feels harder the next day.
Your sleeping position and pillow may influence comfort, although there isn’t one magical pillow that works for everyone.
A useful goal is to keep your head and neck comfortably supported rather than dramatically tilted to one side.
If you’re a side sleeper, for example, your pillow should generally fill the space between your head and mattress so your neck feels supported.
And before buying pillow number five this month, remember: persistent neck pain may involve more than the pillow itself.
What Can You Do to Help Neck Pain?
For many uncomplicated cases of neck pain, staying appropriately active is generally preferable to prolonged bed rest.
Here are a few simple habits I often encourage:
- Move regularly. Break up long periods at your desk and change position throughout the day.
- Review your workstation. Position frequently used screens and equipment so you aren’t constantly twisting or craning your neck.
- Keep exercising. Appropriate general exercise can support strength, mobility and overall health.
- Pay attention to sleep. Aim for a comfortable, supported sleeping position.
- Manage your workload and stress. Recovery matters too.
- Don’t ignore recurring symptoms. If your neck keeps causing problems, an assessment can help identify factors that may be contributing.
The right approach depends on the individual, which is why I prefer assessment over giving everyone the same three stretches and hoping for the best.
Can Chiropractic Care Help With Neck Pain?
Chiropractic care is one conservative option that some people consider for certain types of neck pain.
When someone visits me with neck pain, the first priority isn’t simply to “crack the neck.” I want to understand what is happening and whether chiropractic care is appropriate.
That may involve looking at:
- How the neck moves
- Areas that reproduce symptoms
- Strength and neurological function when appropriate
- Work and exercise habits
- Previous injuries
- Sleep and lifestyle factors
Depending on the findings, care may include appropriate manual therapy alongside exercise, mobility work, rehabilitation and advice about everyday habits.
For some patients, other services such as rehabilitation or spinal decompression therapy may be considered depending on their presentation. These approaches aren’t suitable for everybody, so recommendations should follow an individual assessment.
When Should You Get Neck Pain Checked?
Most neck pain isn’t caused by something dangerous but there are circumstances where prompt medical attention is important.
Seek medical advice urgently if neck pain occurs with symptoms such as significant trauma, fever, severe or unusual headache, worsening weakness, problems with coordination or walking, loss of bladder or bowel control or other new neurological symptoms.
Persistent numbness, tingling or weakness in the arm or hand also deserves assessment.
And even without warning signs, if your neck pain isn’t improving, repeatedly returns or is stopping you from sleeping, working or enjoying normal activities, it may be worth finding out why.
Neck Pain FAQs
How can I relieve neck pain?
There isn’t a single solution for every type of neck pain. Staying active, regularly changing position, appropriate exercise, improving workstation comfort and managing sleep and stress can all be useful depending on the cause.
If symptoms persist, professional assessment can help determine an appropriate approach.
Is my pillow causing my neck pain?
Possibly, but don’t blame it for everything!
A pillow that leaves your neck in an uncomfortable position may aggravate symptoms, but recurring neck pain can have multiple contributing factors.
Is neck pain from sitting at a computer normal?
Neck discomfort is common among people who spend long periods working at computers, but that doesn’t mean you simply have to accept it.
Try breaking up sitting time, changing positions regularly and reviewing your workstation.
Should I exercise when I have neck pain?
In many cases, gentle activity is preferable to complete inactivity, but the appropriate exercise depends on your symptoms and their cause. Significant pain, trauma, weakness or neurological symptoms should be professionally assessed.
Don’t Let Your Neck Run the Show
Neck pain has an irritating ability to sneak into almost everything.
It can affect your sleep. Your concentration. Your training. Your drive to work. Even reversing into a parking space can suddenly feel like an advanced mobility test.
The encouraging part is that there are often practical things we can investigate and address.
Rather than endlessly swapping pillows or hoping the stiffness disappears for good this time, it can be helpful to understand what’s contributing to your symptoms and what you can realistically change.
If neck pain is interfering with your day or it keeps returning book a discovery visit with us via https://westchiropractic.neptune.practicehub.io/p/book-online. We can talk through what’s been happening, assess whether our approach may be appropriate for you and help you understand your next steps.
Your neck has a big job to do. Let’s help it do that job comfortably.
This article provides general educational information and isn’t intended to diagnose a condition or replace individual medical advice.
References
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. (n.d.). Neck pain. OrthoInfo.
- American College of Radiology. (2024). ACR Appropriateness Criteria®: Cervical pain or cervical radiculopathy. American College of Radiology.
- Blanpied, P. R., Gross, A. R., Elliott, J. M., Devaney, L. L., Clewley, D., Walton, D. M., Sparks, C., & Robertson, E. K. (2017). Neck pain: Revision 2017. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 47(7), A1–A83.
- Côté, P., Wong, J. J., Sutton, D., Shearer, H. M., Mior, S., Randhawa, K., Ameis, A., Carroll, L. J., Nordin, M., Yu, H., Lindsay, G. M., Southerst, D., Varatharajan, S., Jacobs, C., Stupar, M., Taylor-Vaisey, A., & van der Velde, G. (2016). Management of neck pain and associated disorders: A clinical practice guideline from the Ontario Protocol for Traffic Injury Management (OPTIMa) Collaboration. European Spine Journal, 25(7), 2000–2022.
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (n.d.). Neck pain – cervical radiculopathy. NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries.
- World Health Organization. (2023). Neck pain. World Health Organization.
