We’re rolling towards the end of January (already!) and it’s been a cracking few weeks back in the clinic and at home.
First up our Water Fast Day is happening this Wednesday, 21st January. If you haven’t signed up yet, make sure you do! It’s simple: no food for 24 hours, just water, fizzy water, lemon tea, and all the cleansing vibes.
The fast starts at 4pm and it’s a great way to reset your system, boost your energy and give your body a fresh start for the year. Join us(click the link and we’ll send you all the details) and yes, we’ll all be feeling slightly grumpy together by 10pm.
On the football front, Kit was at Loxford this week, a bit of a drive for us but apparently, moving up the leagues means longer travel (and colder touchlines). We’re not quite on the Chelsea or Man United circuit yet… but give it time. He’s loving it and doing great. Great to see Kit’s Uncle and Pops come down to support as well.
312 training now in full swing. For those who missed it, I’ve signed up for the Mallorca 312, a 312km bike race around the island. Training currently involves a lot of hours on Zwift (aka sweating in the shed on a virtual bike while pretending it’s Mallorca). The team have been very supportive, although Mollie seems to enjoy taking the mick! Thanks, Mollie.
As we head into February, make sure you’re still moving towards your goals. If you need a bit of a boost or fresh focus, don’t forget our New Year Reset eBook is available completely free. It’s packed with guidance on:
- Sleep
- Supplements
- Caffeine use
- Movement & mobility
- Building habits that stick
It’s designed to help you make 2026 your healthiest year yet and it’s never too late to get started.
Next month’s theme is all about falling back in love with movement whatever that looks like for you. Walks, stretching, lifting, dancing, playing sport with the kids, it all counts. So let’s get back to enjoying how our bodies move. Looking forward to seeing many of you soon either in clinic or out there moving!
Honest question: Has your neck been working overtime?
It holds up your head (which weighs about the same as a bowling ball), survives endless scrolling, Netflix marathons, stressful workdays and that one pillow you know you should’ve replaced years ago.
And yet… when your neck starts protesting with stiffness, headaches or that annoying crackle when you turn your head, we act surprised.
Spoiler alert: your neck isn’t dramatic, it’s exhausted.
Why Everyone (Yes, Everyone) Has Neck Pain Now
According to research, neck pain is officially one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints worldwide; And no, it’s not just “getting older.”
Modern life is the real culprit:
- Phones glued to our hands
- Laptops hunched over like gremlins
- Stress sitting in our shoulders like it pays rent
Studies show that even a small forward head posture massively increases the load on your neck muscles and joints hello, tech neck! Your neck didn’t evolve for spreadsheets and Instagram. It evolved for movement.
What’s Actually Going Wrong in Your Neck?
Inside your neck is a delicate system of joints, discs, nerves and muscles designed to move freely; But when posture is poor and movement is limited:
- Joints stiffen
- Muscles tighten and fatigue
- Nerves get irritated
- Discs lose hydration and flexibility
Clinical guidelines confirm that restricted spinal movement is strongly linked to ongoing neck pain and headaches.
In other words: your neck isn’t broken, it’s stuck.
Where Chiropractic Comes In (and Why Research Loves It)
Here’s where Chiropractic care steps into the spotlight.
Multiple high quality studies show that spinal manipulation and mobilisation can significantly reduce neck pain, improve movement and decrease disability especially when combined with posture advice and exercise.
A major Cochrane review also found Chiropractic techniques to be effective and safe for both acute and chronic neck pain.
Does it hurt?
I know you have seen those videos and it looks like Terminator 4 has arrived. I promise it does not feel like it looks. If anything it is really relaxing and the relief is incredible.
I’m struggling with a C6 disc issue in my beck at the moment and getting regular adjustments helps the pain, stiffness and allows me to move properly. I appreciate it can de daunting, but until you have tried it you don’t know how it feels.
Translation?
Getting your neck moving properly again works and it works without relying on painkillers.
Plot Twist: Neck Pain Isn’t Just About the Neck
Surprise! Your neck pain might actually be coming from:
- A stiff upper back
- Tight shoulders
- Jaw tension
- Poor breathing patterns
Research shows neck pain often involves multiple regions working badly together. That’s why chiropractors don’t just poke where it hurts they look at how your whole spine is moving.
Because your body is a team sport.
Everyday Neck Pain Saboteurs (We’re All Guilty)
Let’s call them out:
- Doom scrolling for hours
- Sitting like a prawn at your desk
- Sleeping on a pillow that’s not suited for you
- Stress clenching your shoulders up to your ears
Studies even link poor sleep posture to increased neck and spinal pain. Yes your pillow might be betraying you.
The best pillow is a solid (not feather) pillow that supports your head in line with your shoulder. So your head should not be too far up or down.
The Big Takeaway (a.k.a. Your Neck’s Cry for Help)
Neck pain isn’t something you should “just live with.”
Research consistently shows that restoring movement, improving posture, reducing stress, and supporting spinal health can dramatically improve neck pain and chiropractic care plays a major role in that journey.
Your neck doesn’t want perfection. It wants MOVEMENT, BALANCE and a LITTLE RESPECT!
References
- Blanpied, P. R., et al. (2017). Neck pain: Clinical practice guidelines. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 47(7), A1–A83.
- Côté, P., et al. (2018). The global burden of neck pain. The Lancet Rheumatology, 391, 785–794.
- Paige, N. M., et al. (2019). Spinal manipulative therapy for neck pain. JAMA Network Open, 2(9), e1911693.
- Gross, A. R., et al. (2019). Manipulation and mobilisation for neck pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Issue 9.
- Neupane, S., et al. (2020). Neck pain and mobile device use. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 21, 375.
- Fernández-de-Las-Penas, C., et al. (2020). Multiregional contributions to neck pain. Journal of Pain Research, 13, 1123–1134.
- Gordon, S. J., et al. (2020). Sleep posture and spinal pain. Nature and Science of Sleep, 12, 249–260.
If you are wanting to chat more about the information above then why not book a call with me and we can go into more detail? Click here to book or if you want to get an assessment then Book a consultation with a Chiropractor here
If you do know someone who wants more advice, please send them our details. You can send them this assessment as well to diagnose their back pain. It is a great tool to understand where your back pain is coming from, it is free and takes 60 seconds. Click here for assessment
