When neck pain starts getting in the way
You might wake with a stiff neck, notice an ache building through the working day or find yourself turning your whole body to look over your shoulder.
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Sometimes neck pain appears after an awkward movement or a change in activity. At other times it develops gradually or keeps returning without an obvious reason.
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When that happens, it can be difficult to know whether you should rest, keep moving or do something differently. Understanding how your neck is moving and what seems to aggravate or ease your symptoms gives us a useful place to start.
Understanding what may be causing your neck pain
Most neck pain involves the muscles, joints and other tissues around the neck becoming sore or sensitive. You may notice a local ache, stiffness when turning your head or discomfort spreading towards the shoulders or upper back.
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There is not always one damaged structure responsible for the pain. How your neck responds to movement, activity and different positions often tells us more than trying to identify a single painful tissue.
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Long periods in one position, an unfamiliar activity or a change in your usual routine can sometimes contribute. Sleep, stress and how much your neck has been doing can also influence how symptoms behave.
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Your neck is designed to move. For many people, gradually returning to comfortable movement and normal activity is an important part of recovery. We help you work out where that starting point is.
When symptoms need a closer look
Neck problems can sometimes cause symptoms beyond the neck itself.
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Pain travelling into an arm, tingling, numbness or changes in strength can indicate irritation of a nerve, although similar symptoms can have other causes.
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We check for signs of nerve involvement as part of your examination and explain what we find. If your symptoms suggest that further investigation or medical assessment would be more appropriate, we will discuss this with you.
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New or worsening weakness or changes in balance or coordination should be medically assessed promptly.
How we can help
There is no single approach that suits every episode of neck pain. What we recommend depends on your assessment, how your symptoms are behaving and what you want to get back to doing.
Hands-on care
Treatment may include chiropractic adjustments, joint mobilisation and soft tissue techniques to help reduce discomfort and improve movement.​
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We explain the options and choose techniques that you are comfortable with.
Movement & exercise
Simple exercises can help restore comfortable movement and build strength around your neck, shoulders and upper back.
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We start at a manageable level and progress things as your neck settles.
Practical advice
Small changes to how you work, sleep or exercise can sometimes make symptoms easier to manage.
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Rather than searching for the perfect posture, we encourage comfortable movement and regular changes of position.
Progress & next steps
We review changes in your pain, movement and the activities that matter to you.
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If progress is limited or your symptoms change, we reassess what is happening and whether your approach needs to change.
Ready when you are
f neck pain is making work, sleep, exercise or everyday movement more difficult, you can book an appointment with our team at Back In Motion in Buckshaw Village, Chorley. You don’t need to work out the cause or the right treatment beforehand. We’ll assess your neck, explain what we find and help you decide on the most appropriate next step.