Neck pain treatment in Summerland

What is neck pain?

Your neck supports your head through a wide range of movement, so when it's sore, even looking over your shoulder can be hard.

Neck pain can follow an injury or come on with no clear reason. Sleep, stress, activity and changes in the joints or discs may also play a part. I look at your symptoms in the context of your day. Most neck pain settles within a few weeks. Some comes back now and then, and that's common too.

Where you may feel it

• In the neck itself. Aching or stiffness that makes turning your head, reversing the car or checking a blind spot harder.
• At the base of your skull. Neck pain sometimes comes with headaches, but not every headache involves the neck. Read more on the headaches page.
• Across the shoulders and upper back. Neck pain and upper back pain often travel together.
• Down an arm. Pain, tingling or numbness into the arm or hand may involve a nerve. If it's new or getting worse, check the warning signs below.

Common signs

Neck pain looks different from person to person. These are some common patterns.

• Stiffness when you turn. Looking over your shoulder or checking a blind spot feels restricted or uncomfortable.
• Worse after screen time. Your neck feels more uncomfortable during long stretches at a computer or on your phone. “Tech neck” is a common name for this, but it doesn't identify one specific problem.
• Waking up with a sore neck. I ask how you sleep and what your pillow is like.
• Pain that keeps coming back. Tell me how often it flares, what sets it off and what you do when it does.
• Neck pain after an accident. Symptoms may develop after the initial injury. Read about whiplash, and check the warning signs below first.
• Pain at night. If neck pain wakes you even when you're lying still, or doesn't ease with rest or a change of position, see your doctor before you book with me.

When to get help

How I assess neck pain

1. 1
   We talk first. You tell me where your neck hurts, when it started, what makes it better or worse, and what you'd like to do more easily.
2. 2
   I look at how your neck moves. I watch you turn, tilt and look up and down. I press on the joints and muscles of your neck and upper back that might be involved. If you have arm symptoms, I also test the strength, reflexes and feeling in your arms and hands.
3. 3
   I check for anything that needs a doctor first. Before I treat your neck, I ask about dizziness, double vision, trouble speaking or swallowing, and sudden severe headache, because these can point to something other than a muscle or joint problem. If something doesn't fit, I tell you and suggest you see your doctor first.
4. 4
   We agree on a plan. I explain what I found in plain words, and the benefits, risks and other options for any treatment I suggest. If you'd like to go ahead and it's suitable, treatment can start at the first visit.

A first visit for neck pain takes about 40 minutes, and a follow-up about 20. Ask me anything as we go, and pause or decline any technique, a neck adjustment included.

Treatment options

I choose care based on your assessment, comfort and goals, and explain the options before treatment. I may also talk with you about your desk setup, movement breaks, phone habits and how you sleep.

What you can do at home

Most neck pain does better when you keep it moving. Before your visit and between visits:

• Keep your neck moving gently, turning it as far as is comfortable. You don't need a collar unless a doctor has told you to wear one.
• Try heat or cold, such as a heat pack or a cold pack wrapped in a towel. Use whichever feels better.
• Take breaks from screens. Stand up, look around and roll your shoulders every so often. Try my five desk stretches.
• Try a low, firm pillow if your neck is sore in the mornings.
• Take care with driving. If you can't turn your head far enough to check your blind spot, don't drive until you can.
• Ask a pharmacist or your doctor which pain medicine or gel is safe for you.
• Do the exercises I give you. I email them to you after the visit.
• Tell me if your neck is getting worse. You can text me, but I may not see it until I'm between patients. For any warning sign above, get medical help first rather than waiting for me.

Common questions