Why Does My Neck Hurt?
Understanding Neck Pain, Headaches & Shoulder Tension
If you’re reading this because your neck feels tight, sore, or like it’s radiating pain into your shoulders or head—you’re not alone. Neck pain is one of the most common reasons people seek chiropractic care, and it often doesn’t stop at just the neck. It can lead to:
✔ Aching or burning pain in the shoulders
✔ Tension that climbs up into the base of your skull
✔ Headaches—especially behind the eyes or at the temples
✔ Pain or stiffness when turning your head
Let’s unpack what’s going on—and how chiropractic care can help.
What Causes Neck Pain?
Neck pain can develop gradually from daily habits or appear suddenly after an injury. Common causes include:
Poor posture – Hours spent slouching over phones or desks.
Stress and tension – Tight muscles from holding emotional stress in the neck and shoulders.
Whiplash injuries – Sudden trauma from car accidents or falls.
Repetitive strain – From sleeping in awkward positions or looking down at devices.
Joint or disc dysfunction – Misalignment in the spine that affects movement and nerve function.
These issues often lead to subluxations—small misalignments in the spinal joints that interfere with the surrounding muscles and nerves.
Why Is My Neck Pain Giving Me Headaches?
It’s not in your head—tension in the neck can cause real headaches. In fact, a condition known as cervicogenic headache occurs when pain refers from the cervical spine (neck) into the head. You may feel:
✔ A dull ache behind the eyes
✔ Pressure at the base of your skull
✔ Pain that wraps around the head or temples
✔ Tightness in your shoulders and upper back
When the joints and muscles in your upper neck aren’t moving well, it can irritate the nerves that travel into your head. This is one reason chiropractic care can be so effective—it addresses the source of the dysfunction, not just the symptoms.
How Chiropractic Helps Neck Pain & Related Symptoms
At Living Chiropractic in Chelsea Heights, we use the Gonstead system, a precise and evidence-based method to identify spinal misalignments and restore proper movement.
Here’s how we help:
🔹 Targeted Adjustments – We don’t “crack” everything. We focus on the exact area causing the problem.
🔹 Nerve Function Improvement – Adjustments help relieve pressure on nerves that may be causing referred pain or headaches.
🔹 Postural Correction – Helping you stand taller and reduce strain on your neck and shoulders.
🔹 X-Ray Guided Care – Our on-site imaging allows us to accurately assess and treat the problem.
🔹 Personalised Plans – Every patient is different—your care plan will reflect your unique needs.
What the Research Says About Chiropractic & Neck Pain
📚 Bronfort et al. (2010): A systematic review found spinal manipulation more effective than medication in reducing neck pain and improving function in both the short and long term.
📚 Haavik & Murphy (2011): Research from Dr. Heidi Haavik showed that chiropractic adjustments improve sensorimotor integration—how the brain and body communicate—which may explain improvements in pain, posture, and coordination following care.
📚 Côté et al. (2015): A comprehensive study published in The Spine Journal found that patients with neck pain experienced better outcomes with spinal manipulation and exercise than with medication alone.
📚 Miller et al. (2010): Found that manual therapy, including chiropractic care, significantly reduced headache frequency and intensity in those with cervicogenic headaches.
These findings show that chiropractic care is a safe, effective, and drug-free option for those struggling with neck pain, headaches, or referred shoulder tension.
When to Seek Help
If you’re noticing:
❗ Neck pain lasting more than a few days
❗ Headaches that begin at the base of your skull or behind your eyes
❗ Shoulder tightness or pain that seems linked to your neck
❗ Pain with turning, sleeping, or working
…it’s time to get checked.
Our chiropractors take the time to thoroughly assess what’s going on and create a tailored plan to help you move better, feel better, and live better—starting with your neck.
Book a Neck Pain Consultation Today
📍 Serving Chelsea Heights, Bonbeach, Aspendale Gardens, Carrum & Surrounds
📞 03 9580 2282
Don’t put up with neck pain. Let us help you get to the source and start feeling better—naturally.
