How Physiotherapy Can Help Neck Pain

Understanding Neck Pain

The neck (or cervical spine) is a complex structure made up of seven vertebrae, intervertebral discs, nerves, muscles, ligaments and joints. It supports the weight of your head (which weighs around 5-6kg), allows for a wide range of motion and plays a critical role in posture and balance.

Neck pain can result from a variety of causes, including:

• Poor posture, especially from prolonged screen use or desk work
• Muscle tension and stress, leading to tightness and headaches
• Joint stiffness, often due to arthritis or prolonged immobility
• Disc problems, such as disc bulges or degenerative disc disease
• Whiplash or trauma, commonly from car accidents or falls
• Referred pain from the shoulders or upper back

While neck pain may sometimes go away on its own, it often becomes recurring or chronic if the underlying cause isn’t properly addressed. That’s where physiotherapy comes in.

The PR Physio Approach to Neck Pain

At PR Physio, we take a holistic, evidence-based approach to treating neck pain. Our focus isn’t just on relieving the pain, it’s about identifying the root cause and giving you the tools to manage and prevent it in the long term.

Here’s what you can expect from your physiotherapy journey with us:

1. Comprehensive Assessment

Every treatment begins with a thorough assessment. We take the time to understand:

• The history of your pain: when it started, what aggravates or relieves it
• Your daily habits: work posture, stress levels, sleep, activity
• Your symptoms: stiffness, sharp pain, headaches, pins and needles
• Any associated areas of pain: shoulders, upper back, arms
• We then carry out a detailed physical examination, which may include:
• Postural analysis
• Neck range of motion testing
• Muscle strength and flexibility checks
• Joint mobility assessment
• Neurological screening (where appropriate)

This helps us identify the true source of your pain, so we can treat it effectively, not just mask the symptoms.

2. Manual Therapy for Immediate Relief

Once we’ve identified the cause of your neck pain, we begin treatment with hands-on techniques to relieve pain and improve mobility. These may include:

• Joint mobilisations to reduce stiffness and restore movement
• Soft tissue massage to release muscle tension
• Trigger point therapy for headache relief or radiating pain
• Dry needling to release deep muscle tightness
• Gentle stretches and guided movement to reduce sensitivity

These techniques are particularly effective for tight neck muscles, joint stiffness, and postural imbalances, often providing immediate relief in the first few sessions.

3. Individualised Exercise Rehabilitation

Exercise is one of the most powerful tools for long-term recovery from neck pain, but it needs to be the right kind of exercise, tailored to your condition and goals.

At PR Physio, we design custom rehab programs to target your specific needs. These often include:

• Postural correction exercises
• Neck and upper back mobility drills
• Scapular and shoulder stability exercises
• Deep neck flexor strengthening
• Breathing and relaxation techniques for tension-related pain

We’ll guide you through each stage of the programme and gradually increase the challenge as your strength and mobility improve, helping you build resilience and reduce the risk of future flare-ups.

4. Education and Lifestyle Advice

One of the biggest contributors to chronic neck pain is poor posture and lifestyle habits. At PR Physio, we spend time educating you on:

• Ergonomic desk setup to reduce strain while working
• Safe lifting techniques
• How to sleep better with neck-friendly pillow support
• Reducing screen time and eye strain
• Simple movement breaks to add into your daily routine

We believe in empowering our clients with the knowledge they need to take control of their recovery and stay pain-free for the long term.

5. Long-Term Prevention and Support

Pain relief is just the beginning. At PR Physio, our ultimate goal is to help you stay active and pain-free for life. That’s why we offer ongoing support through:

• Periodic progress reviews and reassessments
• Updated home exercise programs
• Return-to-work or return-to-sport planning
• Advice on physical activity and injury prevention
• Collaboration with your GP or specialist if needed

Whether your goal is to sit at your desk comfortably, return to sport or simply live without pain, we’ll help you every step of the way.

Common Neck Conditions We Treat at PR Physio

Our physiotherapists are experienced in treating a wide range of neck-related conditions, including:

• Postural neck pain
• Cervical joint dysfunction and stiffness
• Cervical radiculopathy (nerve impingement)
• Whiplash-associated disorder (WAD)
• Cervicogenic headaches
• Degenerative disc disease
• Muscle tension from stress or overuse
• Shoulder and upper back pain linked to neck issues

Each of these conditions requires a different approach and that’s why we tailor every treatment plan to suit the individual.