STADS Physiotherapy
Neck pain
A stiff neck is a nuisance, but with the right approach you can often move freely again quickly.
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You can’t turn your head properly, your neck feels stiff after a day at the laptop, or you wake up with a sore neck. Neck pain is common and usually harmless, but it can really disrupt your daily life. On this page you’ll read what neck pain is, how it develops, what you can do yourself and how we can help you.
What is neck pain?
By neck pain we mean pain, stiffness or an unpleasant feeling in the neck, sometimes spreading to your shoulders, between your shoulder blades or to your head. Your neck is made up of seven cervical vertebrae. Together they carry your head, which easily weighs around five kilos. Between the vertebrae are intervertebral discs, and around them are small joints, ligaments and lots of muscles that let you move your head smoothly.
In most people, no clear damage can be found. This is called non-specific neck pain. There’s no serious cause, but your neck is temporarily more sensitive and can handle less. X-rays or scans often show wear, even in people without symptoms. So that wear by no means always explains the pain. Pain is your body’s protective signal and doesn’t automatically say anything about damage.
What symptoms can you have?
- Pain or a nagging ache in your neck, sometimes on one side
- Stiffness and difficulty looking over your shoulder, for example in traffic
- Pain that spreads to your shoulder, upper back or arm
- Headache that seems to come from your neck
- Tense, tender muscles in your neck and shoulders
- Symptoms that get worse with long periods of sitting, screen work or reading
Do you have tingling or numbness in your arm or hand? Then a nerve may be irritated. That too is usually very treatable, but do get it checked.
What causes neck pain?
Neck pain often builds up gradually. Usually there’s a gap between what you ask of your neck (load) and what your neck can handle at that moment (load capacity). Working in the same position for a long time, looking at your phone a lot or a busy period with little relaxation can upset the balance. Sometimes the pain comes on suddenly, for example after an awkward movement or a night in an odd position.
Factors that can play a part:
- Long periods of screen work without variety
- Stress, tension and poor sleep
- Too little exercise and weak neck and shoulder muscles
- Previous neck pain
- An accident, such as a rear-end collision (whiplash)
‘Bad posture’ is often seen as the culprit, but it’s not that simple. There’s no perfect posture. Varying your position and moving regularly matter more than always sitting up straight.
How long does neck pain last?
For many people, neck pain eases within a few days to weeks. Keeping moving helps. A collar or lots of rest is usually unnecessary and can actually slow recovery.
For some people, the pain lasts longer or comes back. That doesn’t mean something serious is going on. But it is then worth looking at which factors play a part, such as your working posture, stress or fear of moving. Even after whiplash, most people recover gradually, although it can sometimes take a few months. How quickly it goes differs from person to person. So we can’t promise you a fixed timeframe, but we can promise a clear plan.
What often helps recovery: understanding what’s going on, staying active and building up the load gradually. What can slow recovery: waiting a long time before moving, worrying a lot about the pain and little variety in your day.
When should you see a physiotherapist?
- Your pain hasn’t clearly eased after two to three weeks
- Your neck pain keeps coming back
- The pain spreads to your arm or head
- Your work, sport or sleep is suffering
- You have symptoms after an accident or whiplash
- You want to know how to make your neck stronger and more supple yourself
Can’t work it out on your own?
Our physiotherapists and occupational therapists are happy to help. In most cases you can come without a referral, in Eindhoven or Tilburg.
When should you see your GP straight away?
Contact your GP (or the out-of-hours GP service, the huisartsenpost) straight away if you have neck pain combined with:
- A high-impact accident or fall, especially if you’re older or have osteoporosis
- Increasing weakness or loss of function in your arm or hand
- Problems with walking or balance, or clumsy hands
- Fever, severe headache and a neck so stiff you can’t bring your chin to your chest
- Sudden, very severe neck pain or headache, possibly with dizziness, double vision or difficulty speaking or swallowing
- Unexplained weight loss, feeling ill or night pain that doesn’t ease
How STADS helps with neck pain
At STADS, we first take time to hear your story. When did the pain start, what makes it worse or better, and what do you want to be able to do again? Then we examine your neck, shoulders and upper back. We look at mobility, strength, nerve function and posture, and watch for signs that call for a GP.
We explain clearly what we think is going on and what you can expect. Together we set goals, such as getting through a working day at your screen without pain, being able to look over your shoulder in the car again or getting back to sport.
Treatment is mainly exercise therapy: exercises for the mobility, strength and endurance of your neck and shoulder muscles. We build this up gradually. For a stiff, locked neck, manual therapy can be a useful addition, always combined with active exercises. We also look at your workstation and daily routine with you. You get an exercise programme to do at home, so you make progress between appointments too. Bit by bit, you’ll need us less and less.
If tension and stress play a big part, psychosomatic physiotherapy can help. If you struggle with work and daily activities after an accident, our occupational therapists can support you. Read more on our page about occupational therapy for whiplash.
What can you do yourself?
- Keep moving your neck gently, even if it hurts a little
- Change position every half hour and take short breaks from screen work
- Put your screen at eye level and hold your phone a little higher
- Use heat if it feels good, such as a warm shower or hot-water bottle
- Make sure you get enough relaxation and exercise, such as a daily walk
Read also
Related complaints
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a referral?
No. In most cases you can come to us for physiotherapy and occupational therapy without a referral from your GP. At your first appointment, we start with a short screening. We check whether your complaints are suitable for treatment by us, or whether it would be wise to see your GP first. If you do have a referral, feel free to bring it along.
Is the treatment covered by my insurance?
That depends on your health insurance and whether you have a supplementary package. Physiotherapy is usually covered by your supplementary insurance, up to a certain number of treatments per year. For some chronic conditions, a different arrangement applies under your basic insurance. For more information, see our page on reimbursements and rates or check your policy.
Should I use a neck pillow or collar?
We usually advise against a collar, even after whiplash. It makes your neck stiffer and recovery can take longer. A special neck pillow isn’t necessary. Choose a pillow you’re comfortable on and that keeps your head roughly in line with your spine. What suits one person doesn’t work for another.
My neck clicks when I move it. Is that a problem?
Usually not. Clicking or cracking in the neck is common and often harmless. The sound comes from things like gas bubbles in a joint or tendons sliding over each other. As long as it doesn’t come with new, severe pain, loss of function or dizziness, there’s no need to worry. If in doubt, feel free to talk it over with us.
Does cracking or 'manipulating' the neck help?
Neck manipulation can give some people short-term relief, but it isn’t a solution on its own. According to the guidelines, active exercise therapy is the foundation. Our manual therapists may use mobilising techniques as an addition, after a careful examination. We are very cautious about using quick manipulations of the upper neck vertebrae. We always discuss with you beforehand what makes sense.
Our locations
Two practices, one team
In Eindhoven and Tilburg, physiotherapists and occupational therapists work together under one roof. Choose the practice that’s easiest for you.
Eindhoven
Centrally located on Geldropseweg, with spacious treatment rooms and a large exercise room. Easy to reach by bike, public transport and car.
Address
Geldropseweg 28
5611 SJ Eindhoven
Free parking behind the building
Tilburg
Right in the heart of the Reeshof, close to the A58 exit. Also easy to reach from the surrounding villages.
Address
Reeshofweg 40
5036 BK Tilburg
Mon to Fri, 08.00–18.00
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