Neck Pain Treatment & Chiropractic Care

What Can Cause Neck Pain?

The neck is made up of vertebrae, joints, discs, muscles, ligaments and nerves. Neck pain can involve several of these structures and may also be influenced by factors such as activity, previous injury and general health.

Common contributors to neck pain may include:

• Muscle and ligament strains
• Restricted or painful movement of the joints in the neck
• Facet joint irritation
• Disc-related neck pain
• Irritation or compression of a spinal nerve
• Changes associated with osteoarthritis and ageing
• Previous injuries, including some whiplash injuries
• Changes in activity, workload or prolonged positions

Sometimes there is no single structure or event responsible for the pain. Sleep, stress, physical conditioning, previous episodes and other health factors can also influence how neck pain develops and persists.

The purpose of your assessment is to understand which factors appear most relevant to you.

What Does Neck Pain Feel Like?

Neck problems can produce different symptoms depending on the structures involved.

You may experience:

• Aching or pain in the neck
• Stiffness or reduced movement
• Pain around the shoulder blades or upper back
• Pain spreading towards the shoulder or arm
• Headaches associated with the neck
• Tingling or numbness in the arm or hand
• Weakness in the arm or hand
• Pain aggravated by particular movements or prolonged positions

Symptoms such as significant weakness, altered sensation or problems affecting your balance or coordination may require additional neurological assessment.

How Do We Assess Neck Pain?

We Listen

We start by discussing when your symptoms began, where you feel the pain, what makes it better or worse and how it is affecting your work, sleep, exercise and everyday activities.

We Examine

Your chiropractor will carry out an appropriate physical examination. This may include assessing the movement of your neck, joints, muscles and surrounding areas.

We Check Your Nervous System When Appropriate

If you have symptoms travelling into an arm or hand, or other neurological symptoms, the examination may include tests of muscle strength, reflexes, sensation and nerve function.

We Explain What We Find

We will explain what we think may be contributing to your symptoms and whether chiropractic care is appropriate.

We Discuss Your Options

If treatment is appropriate, we will explain the options we recommend. If your examination suggests that further investigation or assessment by another healthcare professional is required, we will tell you.

You can read more about how chiropractors assess and diagnose musculoskeletal problems.

Can Chiropractic Care Help With Neck Pain?

Chiropractic care may be appropriate for some types of neck pain, depending on your symptoms, medical history and examination findings.

Treatment is tailored to the individual and may include manual therapy, mobilisation, soft-tissue techniques, advice about activity and rehabilitation exercises.

Not everyone with neck pain requires the same treatment, and manual treatment is only one part of management. Exercise, movement and self-management advice may also be important, particularly where symptoms have persisted or keep returning.

The aim is to help reduce symptoms, improve movement and function and help you return to the activities that matter to you.

Find out more about chiropractic treatment and our exercise and rehabilitation approach.

<p><h2&gt;Can Neck Problems Cause Headaches?

Yes. Some headaches can be associated with structures in the neck.

These are often referred to as cervicogenic headaches.

Symptoms may begin around the neck or base of the skull and can spread towards the side or front of the head. Neck movement or prolonged positions may sometimes aggravate the headache.

However, headaches have many possible causes, and not every headache is coming from the neck.

A new, severe or unusual headache may require medical assessment rather than musculoskeletal treatment.

Find out more about headaches and neck-related headaches →

Can a Neck Problem Cause Arm Pain, Tingling or Numbness?

Yes. A nerve leaving the cervical spine can sometimes become irritated or compressed.

This may cause pain travelling from the neck into the shoulder, arm or hand and can sometimes be accompanied by tingling, numbness or weakness.

This type of problem is sometimes called cervical radiculopathy.

A disc problem is one possible cause, but changes around the joints and openings through which the nerves travel can also contribute.

Because arm symptoms can have several causes, neurological examination can be particularly important.

Can a Cervical Disc Problem Cause Neck Pain?

Changes to the discs in the neck are common and do not necessarily cause symptoms.

However, a cervical disc can sometimes contribute to neck pain or irritate a nearby spinal nerve, producing symptoms into the shoulder, arm or hand.

The commonly used expression “slipped disc” is misleading because a disc does not literally slip out of position.

As with lower-back disc problems, scan findings need to be interpreted alongside your symptoms and examination rather than assumed to be the cause of pain simply because they appear on an MRI.

What About Facet Joint Pain in the Neck?

The facet joints are small joints at the back of the spine that help guide movement between neighbouring vertebrae.

These joints can sometimes contribute to local neck pain and stiffness and may also produce referred pain towards the head, shoulder or upper back.

Symptoms from different structures can overlap, so examination is important rather than attempting to identify the source of neck pain from symptoms alone.

Is Neck Pain Caused by Poor Posture?

Posture is often blamed for neck pain, but the relationship is more complicated than simply having a “good” or “bad” posture.

Spending long periods in one position can be uncomfortable for some people, particularly when combined with changes in workload, stress, reduced activity or an existing neck problem.

Rather than trying to maintain one perfect posture throughout the day, changing position regularly, remaining active and gradually building physical capacity can often be more useful.

Should I Keep Moving If My Neck Hurts?

For many uncomplicated neck problems, gentle movement and continuing normal activities as tolerated are preferable to completely avoiding movement.

You may need to modify activities that significantly aggravate your symptoms for a period of time, but prolonged restriction can contribute to stiffness and loss of confidence in movement.

We can advise you about appropriate movement and exercise following your assessment.

Do I Need an X-Ray or MRI for Neck Pain?

Most people with uncomplicated neck pain do not automatically need an X-ray or MRI.

Your history and physical examination will usually provide much of the information required initially.

Imaging may be appropriate where there has been significant trauma, neurological symptoms are present, a particular underlying condition is suspected or the result is likely to change how your problem is managed.

All three Isis Chiropractic Centres have on-site X-ray facilities. Where clinically appropriate, we can also arrange or refer for MRI or other investigations.

Why Does Neck Pain Sometimes Keep Coming Back?

Previous neck pain can increase the likelihood of experiencing another episode, but this does not necessarily mean that your neck is damaged or permanently weak.

Recurring symptoms may be influenced by several factors, including previous injury, strength and conditioning, activity levels, work demands, sleep, stress and individual health factors.

Where appropriate, rehabilitation and self-management can therefore form an important part of reducing the impact of recurring neck pain.

When Should Neck Pain Be Assessed Urgently?

Most neck pain is not caused by a serious medical condition, but some symptoms require urgent medical assessment.

Seek urgent medical attention if neck pain is accompanied by symptoms such as:

• Significant or rapidly increasing weakness or numbness in an arm or leg
• New problems with walking, balance or coordination
• Loss of dexterity or increasing difficulty using your hands
• New bladder or bowel problems alongside neurological symptoms
• Severe neck pain following significant trauma
• A sudden, severe or unusual headache
• Fever, feeling seriously unwell or unexplained severe neck stiffness

If you are unsure whether your symptoms are suitable for chiropractic care, contact us and we can advise you on the appropriate next step.

Other Problems Associated With Neck Pain

Neck symptoms can overlap with several other musculoskeletal and neurological problems. You may also find the following pages useful:

• Headaches
• Cervical Disc Problems
• Cervical Facet Joint Syndrome
• Shoulder Pain
• Dizziness and Vertigo

Neck Pain Treatment Near You

Isis Chiropractic Centres provides assessment and treatment for neck pain at our clinics in Milton Keynes, Northampton and Aylesbury.

Neck Pain Treatment in Milton Keynes

Our Milton Keynes chiropractic clinic has been providing care locally since 1994. The clinic has on-site X-ray facilities, rehabilitation facilities and free parking.

Visit our Milton Keynes Chiropractic Clinic →

Neck Pain Treatment in Northampton

Our Northampton chiropractic clinic has been providing care locally since 1989 and has on-site X-ray facilities, rehabilitation facilities and free parking.

Visit our Northampton Chiropractic Clinic →

Neck Pain Treatment in Aylesbury

The first Isis Chiropractic Centre opened in Aylesbury in 1986. Our Aylesbury clinic provides chiropractic assessment and treatment, on-site X-ray facilities and free patient parking.

Visit our Aylesbury Chiropractic Clinic →

Frequently Asked Questions About Neck Pain

Can a chiropractor help with neck pain?

Chiropractors assess and treat musculoskeletal problems including many types of neck pain. Whether chiropractic treatment is appropriate depends on the nature of your symptoms, medical history and examination findings.

Can neck pain cause headaches?

Some headaches can be associated with structures in the neck, although headaches have many possible causes. Assessment can help determine whether your neck appears to be contributing to your symptoms.

Can neck problems cause tingling or numbness in my hand?

Yes. Irritation or compression of a nerve in the neck can sometimes cause pain, tingling, numbness or weakness in the arm or hand. Other conditions can produce similar symptoms, so examination is important.

Will I need an X-ray?

No. Most people with neck pain do not automatically require an X-ray or scan. Imaging is considered where there is a clinical reason and where the result is likely to influence what happens next.

Is it safe to exercise with neck pain?

For many uncomplicated neck problems, remaining active and gradually returning to normal movement is encouraged. The appropriate exercise depends on your individual symptoms and examination findings.

What happens at my first appointment?

We will discuss your symptoms and medical history, examine the problem and explain what we think may be contributing to your neck pain.

We will then discuss whether chiropractic care is appropriate and what treatment, rehabilitation or further investigation may be recommended.

Start by Understanding Your Neck Pain

You do not need to know whether your symptoms are coming from a joint, muscle, disc or nerve before you book.

That is what the assessment is for.

Our chiropractors in Milton Keynes, Northampton and Aylesbury will assess your symptoms, explain what we find and discuss the treatment, rehabilitation or investigation options that may be appropriate for you.