Neck Pain
Treatment in Hurstville
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
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Cervicogenic headache
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Migraine
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Occipital neuralgia
Commonly aggravated by
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Looking up
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Turning the head
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Sustained positions
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Desk work
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Sleeping in certain positions
3. Around the Side and Back of the Neck
May be associated with
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Non-specific neck pain
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Muscle-related pain
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Facet-related pain
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Whiplash injury
Commonly aggravated by
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Turning the head
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Looking over the shoulder
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Driving
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Prolonged sitting
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Sleeping in certain positions
5. Pain Radiating Into the Shoulder or Arm
May be associated with
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Neck-referred pain
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Cervical radiculopathy
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Shoulder or peripheral nerve conditions
Commonly aggravated by
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Looking up
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Looking over the shoulder
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Reaching overhead
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Lifting or carrying
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Prolonged sitting
2. Around Temple, Forehead, or Behind The Eye
May be associated with
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Cervicogenic headache
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Migraine
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Tension-type headach
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Pain referred from the upper neck
Commonly aggravated by
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Neck movement
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Sustained postures
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Stress
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Poor sleep
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Individual headache triggers
4. Around the Shoulder Blade
May be associated with
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Non-specific neck pain
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Neck-referred pain
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Cervical radiculopathy
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Shoulder conditions
Commonly aggravated by
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Prolonged Sitting
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Desk work
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Reaching
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Lifting
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Repetitive work
Common Questions About Neck Pain
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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Sudden weakness, numbness or paralysis affecting the face, arm or leg
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Difficulty speaking or swallowing
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Double vision or sudden loss of vision
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Sudden loss of balance or difficulty walking
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Loss of coordination, collapse or loss of consciousness
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A sudden, severe or unusual headache or neck pain unlike anything you have experienced before
🩺 See Your GP or Seek Prompt Medical Assessment
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Progressive weakness, numbness or pins and needles in the arm or hand
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Increasing difficulty using your hands or frequently dropping objects
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New or progressively worsening problems with walking or balance
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Severe neck pain following significant trauma
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Fever, chills or feeling generally unwell
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Unexplained weight loss or a history of cancer
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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
Special Test
Hands-on assessment
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.
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Overall health and wellbeing
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Other medical conditions
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Stress or anxiety
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Fear of movement
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Concern about pain or imaging findings
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Previous pain experiences
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Confidence in your recovery
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Increased sensitivity of the nervous system
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Heightened sensitivity to movement or touch
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Persistent or recurrent pain
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Muscles, joints, discs and nerves
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Recent injury or physical overload
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Reduced movement or flexibility
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Previous episodes of neck pain
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Sustained postures
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Repetitive activities
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Poor sleep & diet
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Low physical activity
3. Personalised Management
At Evergreen Spine & Wellness, our approach aligns with current clinical guidelines, starting with a conservative approach for people with persistent TMD pain. Your management plan is tailored to your symptoms, clinical findings, contributing factors, needs, and goals.
Manual therapy may be used when appropriate to help improve comfort, reduce pain sensitivity, and support movement.
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Chiropractic adjustment
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Joint mobilisation
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Manual stretching
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Soft tissue therapy
Individualised exercises designed to improve movement, physical capacity, and confidence.
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Jaw exercises
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Breathing exercise
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Stretching exercises
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Neck mobility exercises
Jaw pain can be coming from various factors, including jaw conditions, stress, sleep and activity.
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Jaw clenching & grinding
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Stress management
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Sleep intervention
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Activity modification
We may work alongside or refer you to another healthcare professional when further assessment or management is required.
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Geneal Practitioner
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Dentist
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Orthodontist
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Psychologist
Reference
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