Neck Pain

Neck pain is common and often linked to sustained postures, stress and muscle tension, or a strain. It can range from a stiff, achy neck to sharper pain that limits turning your head, and it sometimes contributes to headaches. Most neck pain is not serious and improves with movement, targeted treatment and simple changes to daily habits.

Neck Pain

Common symptoms

  • Stiffness or difficulty turning the head
  • Aching or sharp pain in the neck and upper shoulders
  • Muscle tension and tenderness
  • Headaches arising from the neck
  • Occasionally pain, tingling or numbness into the arm

Common causes

  • Sustained postures (desk work, devices) and low movement variety
  • Muscle tension related to stress or poor sleep
  • Strain from a sudden movement or awkward sleeping position
  • Age-related changes in the neck joints

How physiotherapy helps

We assess your neck, posture and movement to find the drivers of your pain, then combine hands-on treatment to ease stiffness with exercises to restore movement and build the strength and endurance your neck needs. We also address contributing factors like work setup and daily habits so improvements last.

General self-care tips

  • Change position regularly and add movement breaks through the day
  • Set up your screen and desk to reduce sustained strain
  • Use gentle range-of-movement exercises to ease stiffness
  • Manage stress and sleep, which strongly influence neck tension

Neck Pain — frequently asked questions

Can my desk setup cause neck pain?
Sustained postures and low movement variety are common contributors to neck pain. Improving your setup helps, but regular movement and building neck strength and endurance matter just as much — we address all of these.
Can physiotherapy help neck-related headaches?
Yes. Some headaches arise from the neck (cervicogenic headaches) or from muscle tension. Physiotherapy that addresses neck movement, strength and tension can reduce these headaches.

Please note: This information is general in nature and isn’t a substitute for individual assessment or medical advice. Everyone is different — book an assessment so we can tailor advice to you. If you have severe, worsening or concerning symptoms, seek prompt medical attention.

Let’s get you moving again

Book directly — no GP referral needed for most injuries, including ACC claims.

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