What causes neck pain?

Your neck balances a 10 to 12 pound head on seven small vertebrae, supported by discs, joints and many layers of muscle. Pain usually comes from one or more of these structures being stiff, strained or irritated. Common causes include:

  • Long hours looking down at a phone or laptop, and forward-head posture
  • Stiff or irritated joints in the neck and upper back
  • Muscle strain from sleeping in an awkward position or a sudden movement
  • Whiplash from a car accident or a sports collision
  • A disc bulge or herniation pressing on a nerve
  • Age-related wear in the joints and discs

Common symptoms

  • Stiffness and trouble turning your head, for example when checking your blind spot
  • Aching or sharp pain in the neck, often with tight shoulders
  • Pain spreading into the shoulder blade or between the shoulder blades
  • Headaches that start at the base of the skull
  • Tingling, numbness or weakness into the arm or hand, which suggests a nerve is involved

How we help

After a history and exam of your neck, upper back and nerves, your plan may include:

Chiropractic adjustmentsGentle, precise adjustments to restore motion in stiff neck and upper back joints.Cervical tractionGentle, controlled unloading when a disc or pinched nerve is involved.High-intensity laserNon-invasive light therapy to calm pain and support tissue recovery.Therapeutic massageReleases tight neck, shoulder and upper back muscles.AcupunctureFine-needle therapy that many patients use for neck pain and tension.Electrotherapy (EMS / ultrasound)Relaxes muscles and eases pain alongside other care.Posture and corrective exerciseStrengthens the deep neck and upper back muscles so results last.

Neck pain after a car accident

Whiplash symptoms can take hours or days to appear. Even a low-speed collision can strain the neck. If you were in a crash, get evaluated early; in Florida, Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits require that you seek initial care within 14 days. See our auto accident injury care page.

What to expect

Your first visit includes range-of-motion, orthopedic and neurological testing to find the source of your pain and to check that a nerve is not seriously involved. Many people with recent neck pain notice easier movement within the first few visits. Longer-standing pain is treated in phases: first easing pain and stiffness, then building the strength and posture habits that keep it from returning.

Tips for a healthier neck

  • Raise your screen to eye level and hold your phone higher.
  • Take a 1 to 2 minute movement break every 30 to 45 minutes at a desk.
  • Sleep on your back or side with a pillow that keeps your neck level.
  • Do your neck and upper back exercises daily, not just when it hurts.

Related reading: headaches and herniated and bulging discs.

When to get help right away

Seek emergency care for neck pain after significant trauma, with severe headache, fever and a stiff neck, or with sudden weakness, trouble walking, or loss of bladder or bowel control.

Common questions

Is it safe to have my neck adjusted?

Neck adjustments are performed after a careful exam and are gentle and precise. For patients who prefer it or are not suited to adjustments, we use low-force techniques, traction, laser and soft-tissue work instead.

How long does neck pain take to go away?

Recent neck pain often improves within a few weeks with care and gentle movement. Pain that has lasted months usually needs a longer plan that adds strengthening and posture work.

Can bad posture really cause neck pain?

Long periods of forward-head posture increase the load on the neck muscles and joints. Small changes, like raising your screen and taking movement breaks, often make a big difference.

What if I have tingling in my arm?

Tingling or numbness into the arm can mean a nerve in the neck is irritated. We test your nerves at the first visit and may use traction and laser, and refer for imaging if needed.

Do you treat whiplash?

Yes. We evaluate and treat neck injuries from car accidents and help with the documentation needed for Florida PIP claims.

This page is general health information, not a diagnosis. Every patient starts with a history and examination, and we refer to other specialists when a condition falls outside chiropractic care.