Neck Pain

Neck pain can stop you sleeping, turning your head to drive and concentrating at work, and it often brings headaches with it. Whether it came on after a long stint at a desk, a whiplash injury or for no obvious reason, our physiotherapy team can find the cause and help you move freely again.

Book appointment

Call 0161 401 1000

Most neck pain is not caused by anything serious and responds well to the right treatment. The key is working out what is driving it, so the plan fits you rather than a generic set of stretches.

Common Causes of Neck Pain We Treat

• Whiplash: neck pain and stiffness after a car accident or sudden jolt
• Postural and desk-related neck pain: stiffness and aching that builds through the working day
• Headaches that start in the neck (cervicogenic headaches)
• Wry neck: sudden painful stiffness, often on waking
• Trapped nerve symptoms: pain, pins and needles or numbness spreading into the shoulder or arm
• Long-standing neck pain: pain that has lasted months or keeps coming back

How We Assess and Treat Neck Pain

Your first appointment includes a full assessment of your neck, upper back and shoulders, and of your work, sleep and activity, then a clear explanation and a plan you can start straight away. Depending on the cause, treatment may include:

Manual Physiotherapy and Exercise

Hands-on treatment to ease pain and stiffness, with targeted exercises to restore movement and build strength so the pain is less likely to return.

Acupuncture

Where it helps, acupuncture and dry needling can be used alongside exercise to relieve neck pain and related headaches.

Advice for Work and Daily Life

Practical changes to your desk set-up, sleeping position and daily routine, so treatment keeps working between appointments.

Your Neck Pain Specialist Team

At our Manchester clinic, consultant physiotherapist Kate Hindley has a special interest in neck pain, including headaches that start in the neck and whiplash-related stiffness. Physiotherapy for neck pain is available at all five of our clinics, and all our physiotherapists are HCPC registered. Meet our team.

Cost and insurance. A 45-minute initial physiotherapy assessment starts from £53 (see our self-pay prices). We work with Bupa, WPA, AXA and Aviva, and you can claim back through a workplace cash plan such as Medicash or Westfield. Paying for yourself? You don’t need a GP referral. Claiming on insurance? Check with your insurer first, as some need a referral or authorisation code.

Neck Pain: Frequently Asked Questions

Is it worth seeing a physio for neck pain?

Yes. Physiotherapy is an effective first step for most neck pain, particularly if it has lasted more than a couple of weeks, keeps coming back, or comes with headaches or arm symptoms.

Why has my neck pain lasted for months?

Long-standing neck pain is often kept going by stiffness, weakness and the way we sit, sleep and work, rather than by damage. That’s good news, because these are things physiotherapy can change.

How long does neck pain take to get better?

It depends on the cause. A lot of neck pain eases within a few weeks with the right treatment, while long-standing pain usually takes longer. We’ll give you a realistic timescale at your first appointment.

When should I see a doctor urgently?

Seek urgent medical help (NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency) if your neck pain follows a serious accident or fall, or comes with a high temperature and headache, a rash, new weakness or numbness in your arms or legs, problems with balance or walking, or changes in bladder or bowel control. The same applies to a sudden, severe headache, dizziness, double vision, trouble speaking or swallowing, or blackouts. Tell us at your assessment about any unexplained weight loss or a history of cancer.