Neck Pain

Understanding Neck Pain

Common symptoms

• Stiffness or restricted movement when turning your head
• Aching or sharp pain in the neck, upper shoulders, or base of the skull
• Headaches that start at the back of the head and spread forward
• Pain, tingling, or numbness that radiates into the shoulders or arms
• A grinding, clicking, or grating sensation when moving the neck
• Tightness or soreness in the muscles either side of the neck
• Pain that worsens after sitting at a desk, looking at a phone, or driving
• Neck stiffness that is worst in the morning after sleep

How chiropractic may help

We begin with a thorough assessment of your cervical spine — checking your range of motion, feeling for areas of joint restriction and muscle tension, and assessing your posture. Where relevant, we perform neurological screening to check if any nerve involvement is present. This gives us a clear picture of what is driving your neck pain before any treatment begins. Chiropractic care for neck pain may include gentle cervical adjustments to restore normal joint movement and reduce stiffness, thoracic spine work to address the upper back, which frequently contributes to neck problems, and soft tissue techniques to release tight suboccipital and upper trapezius muscles. We also use low-force options — such as the Activator instrument or Thompson Drop technique — for people who prefer a gentler approach or who are apprehensive about manual neck treatment. Alongside in-clinic care, we will give you stretches and exercises specific to your situation and practical advice on your workstation, pillow setup, and phone habits to reduce the strain going forward.

What to expect at Banora Chiropractic

At your first visit, we take time to understand your neck pain properly — when it started, what makes it better or worse, whether it has changed over time, and how it is affecting your daily life and sleep. We then examine your neck and upper back, assess your posture, and carry out any relevant tests. If you have had any previous imaging of your cervical spine, bring it along — it can provide valuable context. After the assessment, we explain what we have found in straightforward terms and discuss our recommended approach. Many people notice some improvement in their neck movement and comfort within the first few visits. We will also spend time showing you exercises and stretches you can do at home, because what happens between visits matters just as much as the treatment itself. Neck pain that has been present for a long time generally takes more visits to resolve, but we will give you a realistic sense of what to expect from the outset — and we reassess regularly to make sure the approach is working.