![[Motion Wellness Chiropractoc Logo 1]_ed](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/60308a_b058d25614e34bb3b1f8de12f87d4081~mv2.png/v1/crop/x_0,y_131,w_1536,h_728/fill/w_203,h_121,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/%5BMotion%20Wellness%20Chiropractoc%20Logo%201%5D_ed.png)
Neck Pain Treatment in Canberra
Helping You Move Beyond Neck Pain
Neck pain may feel like stiffness, aching or reduced movement, and can sometimes spread towards the head, shoulder, upper back or arm. At Motion Wellness, we take the time to understand your symptoms, identify the factors that may be influencing your pain, and develop a personalised management plan based on your needs and goals.
Where Do You Feel Neck Pain?
Neck pain may be felt in different areas and can sometimes spread beyond the neck. Although the location of your symptoms may provide useful clues, pain location alone cannot identify the exact cause. Similar symptoms may arise from different structures or conditions, and many people experience pain in more than one area at the same time.
1. Around The Base of Skull
May be associated with
-
Cervicogenic headache
-
Migraine
-
Occipital neuralgia
Commonly aggravated by
-
Looking up
-
Turning the head
-
Sustained positions
-
Desk work
-
Sleeping in certain positions
2. Around Temple, Forehead, or Behind The Eye
May be associated with
-
Cervicogenic headache
-
Migraine
-
Tension-type headach
-
Pain referred from the upper neck
Commonly aggravated by
-
Neck movement
-
Sustained postures
-
Stress
-
Poor sleep
-
Individual headache triggers
3. Around the Side and Back of the Neck
May be associated with
-
Non-specific neck pain
-
Muscle-related pain
-
Facet-related pain
-
Whiplash injury
Commonly aggravated by
-
Turning the head
-
Looking over the shoulder
-
Driving
-
Prolonged sitting
-
Sleeping in certain positions
4. Around the Shoulder Blade
May be associated with
-
Non-specific neck pain
-
Neck-referred pain
-
Cervical radiculopathy
-
Shoulder conditions
Commonly aggravated by
-
Prolonged Sitting
-
Desk work
-
Reaching
-
Lifting
-
Repetitive work
5. Pain Radiating Into the Shoulder or Arm
May be associated with​
-
Neck-referred pain
-
Cervical radiculopathy​
-
Shoulder or peripheral nerve conditions
Commonly aggravated by
-
Looking up
-
Looking over the shoulder
-
Reaching overhead
-
Lifting or carrying
-
Prolonged sitting
Common Questions About Neck Pain
1. Is Neck Adjustment Safe?
Yes, for many people. Serious complications are rare, although temporary reactions such as soreness or stiffness can occur. Before recommending a neck adjustment, we carefully assess whether it is appropriate based on your symptoms, examination findings and individual circumstances.
2. Can Neck Adjustment Help With Neck Pain?
Yes, for some people. Neck adjustment may help reduce pain and improve movement. However, current evidence does not support the idea that it permanently "realigns" the spine or puts the spine back into place. It is generally most effective when combined with exercise
3. Is My Posture or a Straight Neck Causing My Pain?
Not necessarily. There is no single "perfect posture," and a straight neck on X-ray does not fully explain your symptoms. Both posture and neck alignment may influence symptoms in some people, but neither reliably predicts who will develop neck pain. The appearance of your neck on an X-ray should always be interpreted alongside your symptoms and clinical examination—not in isolation. Rather than trying to maintain perfect posture, it is usually more helpful to stay active, change positions regularly and gradually build tolerance to different activities.
4. My X-Ray Shows Degeneration. Is This Causing My Pain?
Not necessarily. Age-related changes such as arthritis, disc degeneration and bone spurs are common and do not always cause pain. Research shows that imaging findings often do not match a person's symptoms. Rather than treating the scan, we focus on understanding your symptoms, movement, function and goals to provide the most appropriate care.
5. My MRI Shows a Disc Bulge. Is This Causing My Pain?
Not necessarily. A disc bulge is a common MRI finding and does not always cause pain. Research has shown that many people without neck pain also have disc bulges on MRI. Rather than treating the MRI, we interpret imaging alongside your symptoms, physical examination and neurological findings to determine whether the findings are relevant to your condition.
Common Symptoms Associated With Neck Pain
Neck pain may be accompanied by symptoms affecting nearby or neurologically connected regions. These symptoms do not always originate from the neck, so assessment may be needed to understand the most likely relationship.
1. Neck Pain With Stiffness
Pain can increase muscle guarding, movement sensitivity and protective restriction, making the neck feel stiff or difficult to move—particularly when turning, looking up or maintaining one position for a long time.
2. Neck Pain With Dizziness
Sensory information from the neck works together with the inner ear and vision to help control balance and spatial awareness. Altered cervical input may contribute to dizziness in some people, although vestibular, neurological, cardiovascular and other medical causes should also be considered.
3. Neck Pain With Headache
Nerves from the upper neck share pain-processing pathways with nerves involved in head and facial sensation. This allows pain from the upper neck to be felt around the back of the head, temple, forehead or behind the eye.
4. Neck Pain With Jaw Pain
The jaw and neck share muscular, movement and nervous-system connections. Chewing, clenching, stress and changes in pain sensitivity may therefore influence symptoms in both regions.
5. Neck Pain With Shoulder Pain
Neck structures can refer pain towards the shoulder or shoulder blade, while shoulder conditions may refer discomfort towards the neck. The two regions also function closely together during upper-body movement.
6. Neck Pain With Radiating Arm Pain
​Pain may be referred from the neck into the shoulder or arm, or arise from irritation of a cervical nerve root. Numbness, pins and needles, weakness or altered sensation may indicate the need for a neurological assessment.
When Should I Seek Medical Attention?
Most episodes of neck pain are not caused by a serious medical condition, but some symptoms require urgent medical assessment.
🚨 Call 000
-
Sudden weakness, numbness or paralysis affecting the face, arm or leg
-
Difficulty speaking or swallowing
-
Double vision or sudden loss of vision
-
Sudden loss of balance or difficulty walking
-
Loss of coordination, collapse or loss of consciousness
-
A sudden, severe or unusual headache or neck pain unlike anything you have experienced before
🩺 See Your GP or Seek Prompt Medical Assessment
-
Progressive weakness, numbness or pins and needles in the arm or hand
-
Increasing difficulty using your hands or frequently dropping objects
-
New or progressively worsening problems with walking or balance
-
Severe neck pain following significant trauma
-
Fever, chills or feeling generally unwell
-
Unexplained weight loss or a history of cancer
-
Symptoms that are progressively worsening or not improving as expected
How We Help With Your Neck Pain
1. Thorough Assessment
Every person experiences neck pain differently. Rather than simply looking for something "out of place," our assessment aims to understand what may be contributing to your symptoms and determine the most appropriate management plan for you.
✔ Detailed history
✔ Movement assessment
✔ Hands-on assessment
✔ Special Test
✔ Neurological assessment
✔ X-ray if indicated
2. Understanding Your Condition & Making Sense Your Neck Pain
Neck Pain Is Rarely Influenced by One Factor Alone. We help you understand the factors that may be contributing to your symptoms and recovery.
Physical & Biological Factors
-
Muscles, joints, discs and nerves
-
Recent injury or physical overload
-
Reduced movement or flexibility
-
Previous episodes of neck pain
General health
-
​Overall health and wellbeing
-
Other medical conditions
Lifestyle & Daily Activities
-
Sustained postures
-
Repetitive activities
-
Poor sleep & diet
-
Low physical activity
Thoughts & Emotions
-
Stress or anxiety
-
Fear of movement
-
Concern about pain or imaging findings
-
Previous pain experiences
-
Confidence in your recovery
Nervous System Sensitivity
-
Increased sensitivity of the nervous system
-
Heightened sensitivity to movement or touch
-
Persistent or recurrent pain
3. Personalised Treatment
Our treatment is tailored to your individual needs and goals. Depending on your condition, care may include hands-on treatment, exercise, education and lifestyle guidance to help you move with greater confidence and return to the activities that matter most to you.
Hands-on care
Manual therapy may be used when appropriate to help improve comfort, reduce pain sensitivity, and support movement.
-
Chiropractic adjustment
-
Joint mobilisation
-
Manual stretching
-
Soft tissue therapy
Lifestyle Guidance
Neck pain can be coming from various factors, including stress, sleep, activity, and work
-
Stress management
-
Pillow assessment
-
Activity modification
-
Workstation advice
Exercise Rehabilitation
Individualised exercises designed to improve movement, physical capacity, and confidence.
-
Stretching exercise
-
Strengthening exercise
-
Nerve gliding exercise
-
Functional training
Pain Science Education
Helping you better understand:
-
​Your pain & symptoms
-
Contributing factors
-
Self-management
-
Recovery strategies
Reference
Balthillaya, G.M., Parsekar, S.S., Gangavelli, R., Prabhu, N., Bhat, S.N. and Rao, B.K. (2022) ‘Effectiveness of posture-correction interventions for mechanical neck pain and posture among people with forward head posture: protocol for a systematic review’, BMJ Open, 12, e054691. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-054691.
Bier, J.D., Scholten-Peeters, W.G.M., Staal, J.B., Pool, J., van Tulder, M.W., Beekman, E., Knoop, J., Meerhoff, G. and Verhagen, A.P. (2018) ‘Clinical practice guideline for physical therapy assessment and treatment in patients with nonspecific neck pain’, Physical Therapy, 98(3), pp. 162–171.
Blanpied, P.R., Gross, A.R., Elliott, J.M., Devaney, L.L., Clewley, D., Walton, D.M., Sparks, C. and Robertson, E.K. (2017) ‘Neck pain: revision 2017: clinical practice guidelines linked to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health from the Orthopaedic Section of the American Physical Therapy Association’, Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 47(7), pp. A1–A83. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2017.0302.
Chacko, N., Gross, A.R., Miller, J., Santaguida, P.L., Burnie, S.J., Gelley, G.M., Paquin, J.P., Duranai, M.R., Langevin, P., Chopra-Tandon, N., Chak, N.T., Hoving, J.L. and Bobos, P. (2025) Manual therapy with exercise for neck pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2025(12), CD011225.
Chaibi, A. and Russell, M.B. (2019) ‘A risk–benefit assessment strategy to exclude cervical artery dissection in spinal manual-therapy: a comprehensive review’, Annals of Medicine, 51(2), pp. 118–127. doi: 10.1080/07853890.2019.1590627.
De Hertogh, W., Micarelli, A., Reid, S., Malmström, E.-M., Vereeck, L. and Alessandrini, M. (2025) ‘Dizziness and neck pain: a perspective on cervicogenic dizziness exploring pathophysiology, diagnostic challenges, and therapeutic implications’, Frontiers in Neurology, 16, 1545241. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2025.1545241.
de Zoete, R.M.J. (2023) ‘Exercise therapy for chronic neck pain: tailoring person-centred approaches within contemporary management’, Journal of Clinical Medicine, 12(22), 7108. doi: 10.3390/jcm12227108.
El-Allawy, A., Hecht, N., Luedtke, K., Schleicher, P., Weidner, N. and Kötter, T. (2025) ‘Clinical practice guideline: nonspecific neck pain’, Deutsches Ärzteblatt International, 122, pp. 552–557. doi: 10.3238/arztebl.m2025.0119.
Finucane, L.M., Downie, A., Mercer, C., Greenhalgh, S.M., Boissonnault, W.G., Pool-Goudzwaard, A.L., Beneciuk, J.M., Leech, R.L. and Selfe, J. (2020) ‘International framework for red flags for potential serious spinal pathologies’, Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 50(7), pp. 350–372. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2020.9971.
Gerard, T., Naye, F., Decary, S., Langevin, P., Cook, C. and Tousignant-Laflamme, Y. (2025) ‘Rehabilitation management of neck pain—development of a diagnostic framework based on the Pain and Disability Drivers Management model’, Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice, 31, e14299. doi: 10.1111/jep.14299.
Gorrell, L., Kuntze, G., Ronsky, J.L., Carter, R., Symons, B., Triano, J.J. and Herzog, W. (2021) ‘Kinematics of the head and associated vertebral artery length changes during high-velocity, low-amplitude cervical spine manipulation’, Research Square [Preprint]. doi: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-1016230/v1.
Hamoud, H., Aly, H., Elmotaleb, Y.A., Ghit, M.M., Mosalam, A., Nasrallah, T.M., El Zokm, S.M., Fawzy, I., Bayoumy, A.N., Mohamed, M.S., Elazab, S.A., Elmesiry, A.M., Rageh, E.A., Moussa, M.A., Elyasaki, A., Refaat, S., Elhilasy, A.M., El deeb, A., Elshaitany, W. and Eltabiey, A. (2024) ‘Swimmer arm-to-shoulder test for early differentiation between shoulder and cervical spine pathology in patients with shoulder pain’, BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 25, 940. doi: 10.1186/s12891-024-08013-9.
Katsuura, Y., Bruce, J., Taylor, S., Gulotta, L. and Kim, H.J. (2020) ‘Overlapping, masquerading, and causative cervical spine and shoulder pathology: a systematic review’, Global Spine Journal, 10(2), pp. 195–208. doi: 10.1177/2192568218822536.
Khatri, M., Panhale, V. and Walankar, P. (2024) ‘Correlation of psychosocial factors with pain, posture, function, and disability in chronic mechanical neck pain patients: a cross-sectional study’, Bulletin of Faculty of Physical Therapy, 29, 48. doi: 10.1186/s43161-024-00214-6.
Kjaer, P., Kongsted, A., Hartvigsen, J., Isenberg-Jørgensen, A., Schiøttz-Christensen, B., Søborg, B., Krog, C., Møller, C.M., Halling, C.M.B., Lauridsen, H.H., Hansen, I.R., Nørregaard, J., Jørgensen, K.J., Hansen, L.V., Jakobsen, M., Jensen, M.B., Melbye, M., Duel, P., Christensen, S.W. and Povlsen, T.M. (2017) ‘National clinical guidelines for non-surgical treatment of patients with recent onset neck pain or cervical radiculopathy’, European Spine Journal, 26, pp. 2242–2257. doi: 10.1007/s00586-017-5121-8.
Meng, Y., Xue, Y., Yang, S., Wu, F. and Dong, Y. (2025) ‘The associations between sedentary behavior and neck pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis’, BMC Public Health, 25, 453. doi: 10.1186/s12889-025-21685-9.
Lee, M. and Lee, Y. (2026) ‘Immediate effects of upper cervical spinal manipulation on cervical sensorimotor control in individuals with chronic primary cervical pain: an exploratory randomized controlled trial’, Chiropractic & Manual Therapies, 34, Article 4.
Piovesan, E.J., Utiumi, M.A.T. and Grossi, D.B. (2024) ‘Cervicogenic headache—how to recognize and treat’, Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology, 38, 101931. doi: 10.1016/j.berh.2024.101931.
Thomas, L., Shirley, D. and Rivett, D. (2017a) Clinical Guide to Safe Manual Therapy Practice in the Cervical Spine: Part 1—Vascular Considerations. Australian Physiotherapy Association.
Reynolds, B., McDevitt, A., Kelly, J., Mintken, P. and Clewley, D. (2025) ‘Manual physical therapy for neck disorders: an umbrella review’, Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy, 33(1), pp. 18–35.
Thomas, L., Shirley, D. and Rivett, D. (2017b) Clinical Guide to Safe Manual Therapy Practice in the Cervical Spine: Part 2—Manipulation Considerations. Australian Physiotherapy Association.
Valera-Calero, J.A., Buffet-García, J., Kocot-KÄ™pska, M., Kosson, D., KoÅ‚acz, M. and Plaza-Manzano, G. (2025) ‘Relative contribution of real/sham spinal manipulation performance, changes in cortisol levels, and patient expectations and fear behaviors in modulating short-term pain relief in people with neck pain: A secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial’, Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 80, Article 103409.
Whalen, W., Farabaugh, R.J., Hawk, C., Minkalis, A.L., Lauretti, W., Crivelli, L.S., Wyatt, L., Sheppard, M. and Walters, S.A. (2019) ‘Best-practice recommendations for chiropractic management of patients with neck pain’, Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 42(9), pp. 635–650.
