Neck Pain
A stiff, aching neck can follow you through the work day and into your sleep. We look past quick fixes to find out why your neck is irritable, then rebuild the movement, strength and control it needs.
Your care, at a glance
The questions worth asking any clinic — answered up front.
Who you'll see
Cooper has a particular interest in neck and shoulder problems and delivers our laser-guided cervical proprioceptive retraining; Laura lists neck pain among her core clinical interests. Complex presentations, including post-whiplash, can also be reviewed by Dr Steve Saunders.
How we assess it
Thorough history and screening first — a small number of neck presentations need medical referral — then examination of joint movement, muscle strength and endurance, and laser-based measurement of joint position sense where whiplash or persistent pain suggests it.
How we treat it
Hands-on therapy to settle pain and restore movement, a targeted strengthening program for the deep neck and shoulder muscles, and sensorimotor retraining with real-time laser feedback where testing shows your position sense is affected.
When you progress
- Pain-free movement range restored and maintained
- Deep neck flexor strength and endurance targets met
- Joint position error normalised on laser re-testing
- Full work, driving and training tolerance
The evidence behind this approach
A 200-participant randomised trial showed specific exercise and manual therapy reduce cervicogenic symptoms with effects lasting a year (Jull et al., Spine 2002); disturbed neck position sense after trauma, and how to retrain it, is well documented (Treleaven, JOSPT 2017) — the basis of our laser retraining service.
Why it happens
Neck pain from desk work usually is not 'bad posture' damaging your spine - research has not found one correct posture that prevents pain. More often it is the result of holding any one position for too long without enough movement, amplified by stress, workload and fatigue. Necks are built to move, and hours of stillness leave them stiff, sensitive and tired.
Neck pain has other triggers too: an awkward night's sleep, a sudden turn, sporting collisions or whiplash from a car accident. And because the neck, shoulder blades and upper back work as a system, weakness or stiffness in one area often loads up another.
How we assess it
We start with a thorough history and screening, because a small number of neck presentations - pain or numbness radiating down the arm, dizziness, visual changes, or a new severe headache - need careful attention before rehab begins.
Then we assess how your neck and upper back move, the strength and endurance of the muscles that support them, and your proprioception: the sense of where your head is in space, which is often disrupted after whiplash or with persistent neck pain. If desk work is part of the picture, we will look at your setup and work habits too.
How we treat it
Treatment combines hands-on therapy to settle pain and restore movement with a targeted strengthening program for your neck, shoulders and upper back - the part that produces lasting change. Dry needling and massage can help along the way.
Where your assessment shows disrupted movement sense, we use laser proprioceptive retraining: a head-mounted laser gives instant visual feedback while you retrain precise, controlled neck movement. It is a practical, measurable way to restore the fine control that pain and injury take away.
Necks and desk work
If you spend your day at a screen, small changes add up: shifting position or standing every 30-45 minutes, positioning your screen at about eye level and arm's length, reclining your backrest slightly, and keeping your forearms supported. Movement variety matters more than any single 'perfect' position - the most useful posture is your next one.
We can advise on your setup during treatment, or review your workstation formally through an ergonomic assessment.
Getting back to what you love
Neck pain should not dictate how long you can work, drive or sleep, or whether you can check your blind spot without wincing. Whether you are an office worker, a tradie or an athlete returning from a collision, we have applied the same measurement-first, evidence-based approach to elite sportspeople and everyday Adelaideans for more than 35 years.
Book online through HotDoc at our Adelaide CBD or Edwardstown clinic - no referral needed, with HICAPS for on-the-spot claims.
Frequently asked questions
Is my posture causing my neck pain?
Probably not in the way you would think. Research has not linked any single posture to neck pain - sustained stillness, stress and fatigue matter more. We focus on movement variety and building a neck that tolerates your day.
What is laser proprioceptive retraining?
A rehabilitation technique that uses a head-mounted laser to give real-time visual feedback while you retrain precise neck movement. It helps restore the movement sense that is often disrupted by whiplash or persistent neck pain.
When should I be worried about neck pain?
Most neck pain is not serious, but see your GP or physiotherapist promptly if you have pain or numbness spreading down your arm, neck pain after a significant accident, or symptoms like dizziness, visual changes or an unusual severe headache.
Can you assess my desk setup?
Yes. We give practical ergonomic advice as part of neck pain treatment, and also offer formal ergonomic assessments of your workstation with a written report.