Neck pain care
Neck pain is a common reason people seek care, but it is rarely caused by a single muscle or joint being “out of place.” More often, it develops when movement becomes limited, physical tolerance drops, or the neck no longer feels reliable during daily activities, work, or exercise.
Effective neck pain care focuses on restoring movement, rebuilding strength and endurance, and helping you feel confident using your neck again. The goal is not just short-term relief, but reducing the chance that pain keeps returning. At Dr. Notley’s clinics, care combines hands-on treatment with active rehabilitation, guided by how your body moves and what you need to get back to doing.
Who Neck Pain Care Is For
This service is designed for anyone experiencing stiffness, soreness, or recurring neck discomfort that interferes with daily life. Whether your work involves long periods at a desk, driving, or lifting, or you are returning to exercise after pain, care is adapted to your goals.
Many patients seek care because their neck feels unreliable. They may hesitate to turn their head fully, avoid lifting or training, or feel unsure about movement after previous pain episodes. Neck pain care helps you move more freely, reduce repeated flare-ups, and feel confident in daily activities.
You do not need to choose between chiropractic care or athletic therapy. Care is integrated and tailored to your body’s needs at each stage of recovery.
How Neck Pain Is Assessed
Assessment focuses on understanding how your neck functions rather than identifying a single structure as the problem.
The process begins with a detailed discussion of your symptoms, daily activities, work demands, and goals. Hands-on evaluation examines joint motion, muscle response, and movement patterns during functional tasks. This allows us to identify areas where motion, strength, or coordination is reduced and tailor care to your specific needs.
Different Types of Neck Pain
Neck pain can present in several ways. Patients often experience one or more of the following:
- Acute neck pain (e.g., whiplash, muscle strain): Sudden pain following an injury or movement that overstretches neck muscles.
- Chronic neck pain (e.g., chronic mechanical neck pain, positional/postural neck pain): Persistent stiffness or discomfort lasting weeks to months without a clear injury.
- Cervical radiculopathy (e.g., herniated cervical disc, foraminal stenosis): Pain, tingling, or weakness radiating from the neck into the shoulder, arm, or hand.
- Recurrent or flare-up pain (e.g., tension-type neck pain, episodic cervical facet irritation): Pain that comes and goes, often triggered by stress, prolonged sitting, or increased activity levels.
- Neck pain can also be associated with headaches (cervicogenic headaches, tension-like headaches), dizziness (cervicogenic dizziness, vertigo, BPPV), and jaw pain (TMD, temporomandibular joint dysfunction).
How Neck Pain Is Treated
Treatment focuses on restoring movement, rebuilding strength and endurance, and improving confidence in using your neck and upper body.
Hands-on care may include joint mobilizations and soft tissue techniques to improve comfort and tolerance to movement. Because Dr. Notley is both a chiropractor and an athletic therapist, care may draw from both approaches when appropriate. Techniques such as adjustments are always discussed in advance and integrated into an active rehabilitation plan.
Exercise-based rehabilitation is central to care. Exercises are selected to restore strength, endurance, coordination, and movement confidence. They are progressed gradually, supporting your goals whether that is reducing daily discomfort, returning to work, or resuming exercise.
This integrated approach ensures improvements carry over into daily life rather than stopping when care ends.
Expected Outcomes
Patients who complete neck pain care at Dr. Notley’s clinic can expect:
- Increased neck mobility and range of motion
- Improved strength, endurance, and coordination in the neck and upper body
- Reduced frequency and intensity of flare-ups
- Greater confidence performing daily activities, work tasks, and exercise
- Skills and strategies to maintain neck health and prevent future discomfort
Start your journey towards less neck pain today.
Do I need imaging before starting neck pain care?
In most cases, no. Neck pain can usually be assessed and managed effectively through a detailed history and movement-based examination. Imaging is only recommended when specific clinical findings suggest it would change care decisions.
Is neck pain care safe?
Yes. Though there are risks to any form of care, your care will be guided by how your neck moves, how it responds to load, and your comfort level. Treatment is adapted to your stage of recovery, symptoms, and goals, and techniques are always discussed before being used.
Will I need chiropractic adjustments?
Not necessarily. Adjustments may be used when appropriate to address joint motion limitations, but they are never the only treatment. Care always includes active rehabilitation to restore strength, endurance, and movement confidence.
How long does neck pain recovery take?
Recovery timelines vary depending on symptoms, history, and goals. Many people notice early improvements in comfort and movement within the first few visits, while longer-term strength, endurance, and confidence typically build over several weeks. The focus is steady progress, not quick fixes.
What if my neck pain keeps coming back?
Recurring neck pain is often related to reduced movement tolerance or strength rather than a single injury. Care focuses on rebuilding capacity so your neck can better handle work, stress, and activity changes, reducing future flare-ups.
Can this help if my neck pain is long-standing?
Yes. Chronic or recurring neck pain often responds well to a gradual, movement-based approach that restores confidence and function. Care is adapted to meet you where you are, even if symptoms have been present for months or years.
Do I need to stop working or exercising during care?
Usually not. One goal of neck pain care is to help you continue daily activities safely while rebuilding tolerance. Modifications may be recommended, but complete rest is rarely required.
Is this appropriate if I work at a desk?
Yes. Neck pain related to prolonged sitting, computer work, or driving is very common. Care focuses on restoring movement, improving endurance, and helping your neck tolerate sustained positions more comfortably.
What makes this approach different?
Neck pain care at Dr. Notley’s clinics integrates chiropractic care and athletic therapy within a single plan. Treatment is guided by movement, function, and long-term recovery and not just short-term symptom relief.