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Neck pain physio · Benowa

Turn your head, work and sleep comfortably without the tight neck and headaches

Get hands-on treatment, a work-setup check and a strengthening plan for your neck and upper back.

Sound familiar?

Does this sound like you?

  • Your neck is stiff by mid-afternoon and the headache starts behind your eyes?
  • You can't turn your head to reverse the car without wincing?
  • You wake with a sore neck and can't find a pillow position that works?

What we treat

Neck Pain we see every week

If yours isn't listed, book an assessment and we'll work out what is going on.

Stiff, locked necksPain and limited turning after sleeping or sitting awkwardly.
Tension-type headachesHeadaches that start in the neck and spread to the head.
WhiplashNeck injuries from car accidents or falls, including CTP claims.
Desk and screen strainPain building up from long hours at a computer.
Arm pain and tinglingPain or pins and needles that comes from the neck.
Upper back and shoulder blade painOften linked with neck posture and load.

Inside the problem

How it works

Side view of a typical cervical vertebra
A cervical vertebra from the side. Small joints and nerve exits like these can all contribute to neck pain and headaches. Illustration: Gray's Anatomy (public domain).

Your neck has seven vertebrae that support a head weighing about 4 to 5 kilograms while letting it turn, nod and tilt. Small joints, discs, ligaments and deep muscles share the load. When those muscles tire or the joints stiffen, neck pain and headaches follow, often building up over weeks of desk work, driving or poor sleep.

In more detail

Common problems explained

What each one is, what it feels like and how we manage it.

Mechanical neck pain and stiff neck

Pain and stiffness from the joints and muscles of the neck, often after sleeping awkwardly, long desk days or a sudden turn. Turning to one side is usually limited. It often improves over days to a couple of weeks with hands-on treatment, gentle movement and a work or sleep setup that reduces strain.

Cervicogenic headaches

Headaches that begin in the neck and spread behind the eye or across the forehead, often on one side and brought on by neck movement or posture. Your physio checks whether the upper neck joints are the source and treats them with hands-on techniques and targeted exercises. If your headaches do not fit this pattern, we will tell you to see your doctor.

Whiplash

A strain of the neck's soft tissues from sudden acceleration, such as a car accident. Neck pain, stiffness and headaches can start immediately or the next day. We guide a progressive return to movement, which generally does better than long rest. CTP claims are covered, so bring your claim details.

Neck pain with arm symptoms

Irritation of a nerve root can send pain, tingling or weakness into the shoulder, arm or hand. We test your nerve function, treat the neck and nerve, and monitor changes. Increasing weakness or loss of coordination in the hand needs prompt medical review.

How we help

Our four-step approach

Every plan is built around your problem, your work and your goals.

1

Assess

We assess your neck, upper back and shoulders, and check whether your headache is coming from the neck.

2

Explain

You'll understand what is causing your symptoms and which movements and postures help or aggravate them.

3

Treat

Hands-on treatment to ease stiffness and pain, plus specific exercises to practise at home and at work.

4

Rebuild

Strength and endurance work for the muscles that hold your head up, so symptoms are less likely to return.

Hands-on treatment is combined with Pilates-style strengthening where it suits you.

When to see a doctor first. See a doctor urgently for a sudden severe headache unlike any you have had before, headache with fever and a stiff neck, vision changes, trouble speaking, weakness in an arm or leg, or neck pain after significant trauma.

Questions

Before you book

Can physio help with headaches?

Some headaches come from the joints and muscles of the neck. Your physio will assess whether yours does, and will tell you if you should see your doctor instead.

Is neck manipulation safe?

Your physio will explain every technique before using it, and there are plenty of gentle alternatives if you prefer them.

I was in a car accident. Can you treat whiplash?

Yes. We see CTP patients every week. Bring your claim number and insurer details when you book.

What happens at the first appointment?

Initial appointments are 60 minutes, so there is time for a thorough assessment. We assess the problem, explain what is going on, start treatment and give you a clear plan. No referral needed.

Can I claim on my health fund?

Yes. If your extras cover includes physio, you can claim on the spot with HICAPS and only pay the gap. We also see Medicare care plan, WorkCover, CTP, DVA and NDIS patients.

Your next step

Book your assessment

Book online any time, or call (07) 5564 9009 and we'll find a time that suits.

No referral neededHealth fund claims on the spot (HICAPS)194 Ashmore Rd, Benowa

General information only, not individual medical advice. Results vary from person to person. © Focus on Physio

Focus on Physio · Benowa · (07) 5564 9009