About neck pain and headaches
Neck pain is closely tied to how we live: hours at a screen, phone use, driving, stress and poor sleep all load the neck and upper back. It can present as stiffness, a sharp catch when turning, aching between the shoulder blades, or pain that refers into the shoulder and arm.
Some headaches also start in the neck. The joints and muscles of the upper neck can refer pain to the back of the head, temple or behind the eye. A physiotherapy assessment can help work out whether the neck is contributing to your headaches and what can be done about it.
What we assess and treat
Neck problems we commonly assess and treat:
- Stiffness and pain from desk work, screens and long hours in one position
- Neck strain after a motor vehicle accident (whiplash-associated disorders)
- Waking with a stiff neck or pain related to sleeping position
- Joint stiffness in the neck and upper back
- Nerve irritation with pain, pins and needles or numbness into the arm
- Headaches that originate in the upper neck (cervicogenic headache)
- Jaw (TMJ) pain and clenching that adds to neck and head tension
How physiotherapy helps
Treatment is decided by the assessment, not before it. Depending on what we find, your plan may include:
- 01
Assessment
We assess the neck, upper back, shoulder girdle and, where relevant, the jaw, to find what is generating your pain or headaches.
- 02
Hands-on treatment
Gentle joint mobilisation and soft-tissue techniques to ease pain and restore movement.
- 03
Specific exercise
Exercises for the deep neck and shoulder-blade muscles that support the head, progressed as your control improves.
- 04
Workstation and habit advice
Screen height, seating, phone use and breaks. Small changes here often make the difference between short-term relief and lasting change.
- 05
Headache tracking
For neck-related headaches, we may ask you to keep a simple log so that treatment can be matched to your pattern.
When to see your doctor first
Some symptoms need a medical assessment before physiotherapy
- A sudden, severe headache unlike any you have had before
- Neck pain with fever, a stiff neck and sensitivity to light, or a rash
- Dizziness, double vision, difficulty speaking or swallowing, or fainting
- Numbness or weakness in the arms or legs, or new clumsiness
- Neck pain after a significant fall, collision or head injury
These are uncommon. If you are unsure, call the practice and we will guide you on the right first step.
Your first visit
- 1
Assessment
We talk through your history and symptoms, then assess how you move to find the cause.
- 2
Treatment
Hands-on treatment starts in the same session, matched to what the assessment shows.
- 3
Your plan
You leave knowing what we are treating, what to do at home, and what comes next.
Common questions
Can physiotherapy help my headaches?
If your headaches are coming from the neck, treatment directed at the neck may help. Not all headaches are neck-related, so the assessment is important, and some headache patterns need medical assessment first.
Is my pillow or my desk causing the pain?
Both can contribute, but it is rarely one thing on its own. We look at your positions, your movement and your neck's tolerance together, and then advise on what is worth changing.
How long does whiplash take to recover?
Recovery varies. Current guidelines favour early, gentle movement and staying active rather than prolonged collar use or rest. We build a plan around your assessment and monitor your progress.
Related conditions
This page is general information about physiotherapy for this condition. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace an individual assessment. If you are worried about your symptoms, please contact the practice or see your doctor. Reviewed 2026-09-10. Physiotherapy services are provided by Candice Paulse, BSc Physiotherapy (UCT), registered with the HPCSA (PT 0091502).