Physical therapy for neck pain

1

Neck pain and stiffness

The neck that's locked up by mid afternoon, or after a night of bad sleep, and never fully loosens.

2

Tension headaches

Headaches that start at the base of the skull or behind the eyes and build through the day.

3

Upper back and shoulder blade pain

A knot between the shoulder blades that massage and foam rolling never fully get rid of.

4

Neck pain with training

Traps and neck that take over on presses, pull-ups, carries or heavy lifts.

5

Pinched nerve and arm symptoms

Pain, tingling or numbness that runs from the neck down the arm.

6

After whiplash or an old injury

A neck that hasn't felt the same since a car accident, a fall or a hit.

The real reason

Why your neck keeps hurting

Your neck is built to move and to stabilize your head while everything below it does the heavy lifting. When the rest doesn't pull its weight, the neck gets overworked.

Your evaluation

What happens in a neck evaluation

Our take

Why most neck rehab falls short

Chin tucks, a heating pad and an ergonomic chair. Most neck rehab treats the neck in isolation and blames your posture.

Your neck doesn't need to be held perfectly still. It needs a strong, mobile upper back and shoulders that do their share, so your neck isn't carrying everything. We build that, and we keep going until you can sit, sleep and train without thinking about it.

“I went to Nevin for help with shoulder, trap, and neck pain. He was incredibly thorough and attentive, starting with a full-body evaluation that revealed my lower back was being overworked, something I hadn't realized.”

Betson J.
Shoulder, trap and neck pain

“Went in with Neck and back pain. He listened to my concerns, created an effective treatment plan, and helped me feel better quickly. Highly recommend!”

Shady E.
Neck and back pain

“Nevin looks at things holistically and treats the real reason of your visit, e.g. you could come in with your shoulder blade pain and end up being treated for imbalance in your hips. While it may sound counterintuitive at first, it makes perfect sense once you visit Nevin.”

Anton S.
Shoulder blade pain

“I've been working with Nevin to address issues I have with mobility, flexibility, and posture… Nevin has a more holistic approach to treatment and looks at how the entire body functions as a whole.”

Evan
Mobility and posture

Is my posture causing my neck pain?

Usually not on its own. Staying in any one position for hours, a stiff upper back and shoulder blades that aren't doing their job matter more than how you sit. Moving more often and building strength through the upper back helps more than chasing perfect posture.

Can physical therapy help tension headaches?

Often, yes. Many headaches come from the neck and upper back. Improving how your neck, upper back and shoulders move and share load can reduce how often they happen and how bad they get.

Can physical therapy help a pinched nerve in my neck?

Yes, in most cases. Most pinched nerves are irritated, not damaged. We calm the irritation, give the nerve room to move and build your tolerance back up.

Should I get my neck cracked or adjusted?

It can feel good short term, and that's fine. It rarely changes why your neck keeps tightening up. Building strength and control through the neck and upper back is what makes the relief last.

Will a new chair or desk setup fix it?

It can help, but it's rarely the whole answer. Changing positions often and building a stronger upper back matters more than the perfect chair.

How long does it take?

Most people feel a difference in the first few weeks. A full plan is usually 6 to 12 weeks, depending on how long it's been going on and what you're getting back to.

When should I see a doctor first?

If your neck pain started after a car accident or hard fall, comes with a sudden severe headache, dizziness, vision changes or trouble speaking or swallowing, weakness that's getting worse, numbness in both hands, or fever with a stiff neck, see a physician first. Otherwise, you can start with physical therapy without a referral.