Most neck pain builds up quietly: long days at a laptop, a stiff drive home, a bad night’s sleep, and then one morning you can’t turn your head to check your blind spot. Sometimes it starts after an awkward movement, a new pillow or a session at the gym. It can spread across the shoulders, between the shoulder blades or up into the head.
Most neck pain improves within a few weeks. Treatment helps it settle sooner, gets you moving normally again and gives you a plan for keeping it from coming back.
Does this sound familiar?
- A stiff neck that’s hard to turn, especially first thing or after driving
- Aching across the shoulders and upper back by the end of a working day
- Pain on one side that catches when you look over your shoulder
- Headaches that start at the base of the skull
- Pain, pins and needles or numbness spreading into the arm
- A neck that flares whenever you’re busy or stressed
What's usually going on
Most neck pain comes from the joints and muscles of the neck becoming stiff and sensitive, often after a spell of more sitting, screen time or stress than usual. Wear and tear on scans is very common from middle age and often isn’t the cause of the pain.
When pain spreads into the arm with pins and needles or numbness, a nerve in the neck may be irritated. This usually settles too, but it needs a careful examination.
Headaches can also come from the neck, and our page on headaches from the neck explains how. If your neck pain started after a car accident, see our whiplash page.
What can help
- Keeping it moving. Gentle movement usually helps more than holding the neck still, and we’ll show you where to start.
- Hands-on treatment. Mobilisation, manipulation and soft tissue work can ease pain and stiffness, and work best alongside exercise.
- Exercises for the neck and upper back to rebuild strength and endurance, especially if you sit for long periods.
- Small changes to your desk, screen, car seat and pillow, and to how often you change position.
Physiotherapists, chiropractors and osteopaths all treat neck pain. You don’t need to choose before you book. If someone else on the team would suit you better, we’ll tell you.
Your first appointment
Your first appointment lasts 45 minutes. We’ll ask how it started, what it stops you doing and whether you have any symptoms in your arms or head. We’ll check how your neck and upper back move, and test the nerves to your arms if needed.
By the end you’ll know what’s likely to be causing it and what to do at home, and treatment usually starts in the same session. Many people need only a few appointments. If we think you should see your GP or have a scan, we’ll say so.
When to see a GP or go to A&E instead
- Neck pain after a significant fall, a blow to the head or a high-speed accident, especially with numbness or weakness. Go to A&E.
- Neck pain with dizziness, double vision, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing or a drooping face. These can be signs of a stroke and need urgent medical attention. See the NHS guidance on stroke symptoms.
- Weakness, clumsiness or altered feeling in both arms or hands, or new problems with walking or balance. Get seen urgently.
- Neck pain with a fever and a severe headache, or a rash. Get urgent medical help.
- Neck pain with unexplained weight loss, or if you’ve had cancer in the past. See your GP.
Who you'll see
Neck pain, and headaches that come from the neck, are seen here by our physiotherapists, chiropractors and osteopaths. Corinna Towler is a chartered physiotherapist with an MSc, who also offers medical acupuncture. Sam Pargeter, our co-founder, is a sports chiropractor with more than 15 years in practice, whose work includes neck pain and headaches that come from the neck. Joe Lancaster is a chiropractor with a first-class master’s degree, who combines hands-on treatment with exercise-based rehab. Annabelle Frost is a registered osteopath with a first-class master’s degree, who also offers dry needling and medical acupuncture. Lachlan Beveridge is a registered osteopath with more than 20 years in practice.
We match each patient with the clinician whose skills best fit their problem and what they want to get back to. If you’re not sure who to book with, call us on 01444 817851 and we’ll point you to the right person.
Corinna Towler
Physiotherapist,
Restore C-section Scar Specialist,
APPI Pilates trained
Corinna is a chartered physiotherapist with a Master’s degree in Physiotherapy from the University of Southampton, building on an earlier qualification in sports therapy. Her background in elite gymnastics and national-level trampolining gives her a trained eye for how people move.
She is trained in APPI Clinical Pilates, medical acupuncture and RESTORE C-section scar therapy, and combines hands-on treatment with clear, progressive rehabilitation tailored to you.
Sam Pargeter
Sports Chiropractor
Golf Specialist Chiropractor
Sam is co-founder of The Health Hub and a chiropractor with over 15 years in clinical practice. He graduated from the Welsh Institute of Chiropractic, where he received the Award for Clinical Excellence, and is a FICS-accredited sports chiropractor and TPI Medical Level 2 golf specialist.
He uses the Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA) to look at how you move as a whole, and combines hands-on treatment with exercises and advice you can use between appointments. He finds working with people with back pain particularly rewarding.
Insurers Sam Works With
Joe Lancaster
Chiropractor
Joe is a chiropractor with a first-class Master of Chiropractic degree. He treats all areas of the body, with a particular interest in neck, back and shoulder problems.
He looks beyond where it hurts to understand why the problem has developed, and combines hands-on techniques with a rehabilitation plan you can follow at home. He is registered with the General Chiropractic Council and a member of the Royal College of Chiropractors and the British Chiropractic Association.
Insurers Joe Works With
Annabelle Frost
Osteopath
Annabelle is a registered osteopath who graduated from the International College of Osteopathic Medicine with a first-class Master of Osteopathy degree. A keen athlete and former osteopathy patient herself, she understands how pain and injury can affect everyday life.
She takes time to listen, explain her findings and involve you in decisions about your care. Treatment can include hands-on osteopathic techniques, myofascial release, dry needling and dry cupping, alongside advice and exercises to help you stay active.
Lachlan Beveridge
Osteopath
Lachlan is a registered osteopath with over 20 years of clinical practice and one of the founding therapists at The Health Hub. He graduated from the European School of Osteopathy and has treated everyone from office workers and athletes to people managing long-term musculoskeletal problems.
Known for his calm and considered manner, he blends hands-on techniques with advice on movement and rehabilitation. Before becoming an osteopath he worked as a professional musician and vocal coach, which gives him a particular understanding of the physical demands on performers.
Insurers Lachlan Works With
Prices and insurance
- Initial assessment and treatment (45 minutes): £79
- Follow-up treatment (30 minutes): £64
No GP referral is needed. You pay at your appointment and we’ll give you an invoice to claim back from your insurer if you’re covered. Many of our clinicians are recognised by AXA, Aviva, BHSF, Cigna, Simplyhealth, Westfield Health and WPA. Recognition varies by clinician, so ask us when you book.
Frequently asked questions
Questions we’re often asked about neck pain.
- Is my pillow the problem?
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Sometimes it plays a part, but rarely on its own. A pillow that keeps your neck roughly in line with the rest of your spine is a sensible start. We’ll look at the bigger picture of sleep, work and activity.
- Should I keep my neck still?
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Usually not. Gentle movement within comfort tends to help it settle faster than holding it still or wearing a collar.
- My neck clicks. Does that matter?
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Clicking and grinding noises are very common and usually harmless, especially if they aren’t painful. Tell us if they come with pain, catching or other symptoms.
- Do I need an X-ray or a scan?
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Most people don’t. Imaging is useful after a significant injury, or when symptoms suggest a nerve problem that isn’t improving. We’ll advise if you need one.
- Can neck pain cause headaches?
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Yes. Headaches that start at the base of the skull and spread forwards can come from the neck, and they often improve when the neck is treated.
- Do I need a GP referral?
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No, you can book directly. If you’re claiming on private health insurance, check whether your insurer needs a GP referral first.
Based in Haywards Heath, we see patients from:
You’ll find us at Unit 3, 2-8 Sussex Road, Haywards Heath, RH16 4EA. There’s free on-street parking on Sussex Road and two pay and display car parks a short walk away, and our entrance, treatment rooms and toilets are wheelchair accessible. We’re open Monday to Friday 8am to 7pm, and Saturday 8am to 1pm.
Book an appointment
If your neck has been stiff or sore for more than a week or two, or it keeps coming back, it’s worth having it looked at. Book online or call us on 01444 817851.
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