i love to ride my bike, and had a trip planned to ride some of the great pyrenean mountains. six weeks of treatment and i was back on the bike.
richard townsendnewcastle great park
clinician · davephysiotherapy
back & spine · plain-english guide
neck pain
one of our most frequently treated conditions — usually the result of poor posture and insufficient activity.
evidence-basedhcpc registeredseen in 3 daysone-to-one
first session45 minutes
typical recovery3 – 6 sessions
from£72
seen within3 days
accredited & insurer-ready
what is neck pain?
neck pain is one of our most frequently treated conditions. it often results from inadequate posture and insufficient physical activity — and like low back pain, it's highly responsive to physiotherapy.
extended sitting prevents synovial fluid secretion in spinal joints, causing stiffness. poor posture compresses the intervertebral discs, shifting the nucleus backward and potentially causing bulging — which can affect nearby pain-sensitive structures. additional causes include degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis, traumatic injuries, and non-mechanical medical issues.
what it feels like.
where the pain is
- localised in the centre, right or left side of the neck
- radiating toward the head, arms or shoulder blades
how it feels
- constant or intermittent
- sharp, shooting, dull or achy
triggers & relief.
makes it worse
- extended periods of sitting
- operating a vehicle
- rotating the neck
- looking upward or downward
- fine activities like reading or needlework
- swimming with the head elevated
usually helps
- cold therapy
- warm therapy
- cervical support devices
- anti-inflammatory medication
- postural adjustment
- structured movement routines
can you treat it at home?
most cases of neck pain respond to a combination of self-management and targeted physiotherapy. here's how to tell which camp you're in.
try at home first
mild & new.
- less than 2 weeks old
- no radiating pain or numbness
- eases with gentle movement
- no sleep disruption
book an assessment
persistent or limiting.
- lasted 2+ weeks with no change
- shooting pain or pins & needles
- stopping you sleeping or working
- recurring flare-ups
how we treat it.
we start every journey with a thorough assessment — the right diagnosis is the foundation of successful treatment. depending on what we find, we typically combine several of the following:
- joint mobilisation techniques
- targeted soft-tissue therapy
- core strengthening protocols
- postural education
- muscle energy methods
- acupuncture and dry needling
- functional taping strategies
when to see a gp instead.
physiotherapy is safe and effective for the vast majority of cases — but these signs mean you should contact your gp, 111, or a&e first.
patients who had neck pain.
a few words from patients we've treated for neck pain.
darren was quick and efficient at identifying my problem and actively working to solve it. great north run 2011.
laura robb
clinician · darrensports injury
i didn't think the great north run 2011 was going to happen for me. a few weeks with darren and it did.
paul rickeard
clinician · darrensports injury
faqs.
no — you can book directly with us. if you're using private medical insurance (bupa, aviva, vitality, wpa, axa) your insurer may require a referral; check your policy before booking.
most patients resolve acute issues in three to six sessions. chronic or complex cases can take longer. we'll give you an honest timeline at your first assessment.
something you can move in — shorts and a t-shirt for lower-limb work, a vest for shoulders. we have changing rooms if you're coming straight from work.
most patients are seen within three working days. evening and saturday-morning slots are available but book up quickly.
ready to sort it?
book a 45-minute assessment online, or call 0191 217 1929 and our reception team will match you to the right clinician.
treatments for neck pain
what we'll often recommend.
most neck pain plans combine one or more of the following evidence-based treatments.
most booked45 min
01
physiotherapy
hands-on assessment and treatment for pain, injury, and long-term conditions. 45-minute initial consultation.
from£72
book30–60 min
05
sports massage
deep-tissue work to improve circulation, reduce doms, and keep you training without niggles.
from£55
book45–60 min
06
acupuncture
aacp-certified practitioners using acupuncture alongside physiotherapy for pain, tension, and recovery.
from£97
bookrelated guides
keep learning.
conditions we see most often alongside neck pain.