Mechanical Neck Pain

Mechanical neck pain simply means that your neck is not functioning correctly and that it is causing you pain.

Patients book in to see me and say: “I’ve cricked my neck and I can’t turn my head.” Sometimes it’s a stiff neck that appeared overnight after they slept awkwardly. Sometimes it’s a neck ache that has crept up on them over months of having a tight neck and shoulders or a sudden muscle spasm that has left the neck feeling locked.

Whatever name you give it, a wry neck, a strained neck, a pulled muscle, a knot in the neck or shoulder, the underlying picture is referred to as the same condition, which is mechanical neck pain.

It is a common neck problem I have treated often during the 39 years of chiropractic practice in Bournemouth and it is rarely a sign of anything too serious. This page explains to you what mechanical neck pain is, why it happens and what the research says about treatment.

“I would strongly recommend Leslie… He is a nice warm-hearted gentleman”

“I had one treatment with Leslie, I felt that I got a really good chiropractor who knows what he is doing. After two sessions of treatment with Leslie, my neck, shoulders, top back and lower back all relieved which is amazing. I would strongly recommend Leslie if you have some health issues . He is a nice warm-hearted gentleman.

Eddie F

What is Mechanical Neck Pain?

Mechanical neck pain, which GP’s may also call non-specific neck pain or cervicalgia, is pain could be arising from either the joints, muscles, ligaments and discs of the cervical spine rather than from a trapped nerve or perhaps an injury such as whiplash or possibly an underlying disease.

“Mechanical” means the pain changes with movement and posture: some positions make it worse, others ease it. The small facet joints at the back of each vertebra can become restricted, inflamed and irritated and the surrounding muscles, most often the trapezius and levator scapulae muscles, respond by tightening protectively.

That protective guarding is what patients describe as a crick in the neck or a locked neck. When the spasm pulls the head over to one side, the traditional name is wry neck or acute torticollis in medical language. All variations of one mechanical problem, not separate diseases.

patient terminology for mechanical neck pain a graphic using words people use to describe neck pain

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What Causes neck pain

The same handful of causes comes up repeatedly. b is probably the most common: patients wake with a stiff neck after a night on an unsupportive pillow or unfamiliar pillow on holiday and I have written separately about how to avoid neck pain while sleeping. Long hours at a desk or screen gradually load the cervical joints and muscles; I see it repeatedly in office workers particularly. Stress-related neck tension is another regular culprit; under pressure the shoulders rise and muscles hold tension in the neck for hours, until a knot or spasm develops. Then there are sudden causes of onsets: an awkward turn of the head, lifting badly or reaching into the back seat of the car. Long drives with a poorly positioned seat and a headrest that is failing to do it’s task can be a trigger too. Often several factors stack up and the trigger is just the last straw for already restricted joints.

Leslie Budzynski providing chiropractic treatment for mechanical neck pain at Bournemouth Chiropractic

Symptoms of Mechanical Neck Pain

Patients rarely use textbook language, people use familiar terminology to describe the pain in their neck. What I hear is: my neck is sore and achy on one side, I get a sharp pain when I turn my head, I can’t look over my shoulder to reverse the car, my neck feels stiff first thing and loosens as the day goes on.

The pain is usually felt to one side of the neck and may spread into the top of the shoulder, across the shoulder blade or up towards the base of the skull. Movement in one particular direction is often sharply limited while other directions feel almost normal. Muscles may feel tender, ropey or knotted to the touch.

What mechanical neck pain does not typically cause is pain shooting down the arm, pins and needles, numbness in the hand or a weak grip. These suggest nerve involvement and are covered in more detail on my trapped nerve and cervical radiculopathy page. Neck pain that began with a car accident or fall could belong to the whiplash page and injury can change the treatment plan.

How Chiropractic Might Help Neck Pain

Chiropractic treatment for mechanical neck pain issues typically combines gentle mobilisation of the restricted cervical facet joints, specific manipulation where appropriate, soft tissue work to the trapezius and surrounding muscles to ease spasm and tension and home advice on movement, pillows and stress. I do not use a set routine; the techniques are chosen after examining your neck, so they are specific to you.

A 2023 meta-analysis of 17 trials found manipulative therapy reduced pain and disability in chronic neck pain, with no more adverse events than control treatments, although the included studies varied considerably.[2] Research consistently suggests manual therapy works best combined with exercise, which is better than exercise alone.[3] A large 2023 systematic review was more cautious, grading the certainty of evidence for cervical manipulation as very low because of study quality, while noting side effects were mostly mild and short-lived.[4] UK guidance recommends keeping the neck moving, short-term pain relief and manual therapy alongside exercise for pain that persists.[1] An earlier Cochrane review agreed: manipulation and mobilisation can improve pain and function, with neither clearly superior.[5]

Most straightforward mechanical neck pain responds within a small number of visits over two to six weeks. If you are not improving as I would expect, I will refer you to appropriate specialist care. Your plan is built around your examination findings, your circumstances and how long the problem has been there.

If neck pain is getting in the way of things you would rather be doing, come and talk it through. I offer a free 15-minute consultation, you can come in for a short no-obligation chat with no examination or treatment.

Book a free consultation

Or call for a chat on 01202 937568

Red Flags and When seek medical attention first

The overwhelming majority of stiff, cricked or aching necks are not a sign of anything serious and most settle well.[1] There are, however, a few situations where you should see a doctor before anyone treats your neck.

Contact your GP or call 111 if your neck pain comes with fever or feeling generally unwell, unexplained weight loss, a history of cancer or if it began after significant trauma such as a road accident or a fall from height. Seek urgent help, A&E rather than a chiropractor, if you have severe headache unlike any before, difficulty with balance or walking or numbness and weakness in both arms. If none apply, which is the usual case, your neck is very likely suitable for conservative chiropractic care.

Booking your first visit at Bournemouth Chiropractic

Your first visit starts with a thorough case history, then an examination of how each level of your neck moves, orthopaedic and neurological tests to rule out nerve involvement and a check of your shoulders and upper back. I explain what I find and tell you whether chiropractic care is suitable and agree a plan with you before any treatment begins.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mechanical Neck Pain

Yes, in most cases chiropractic can probably help you with a stiff neck. A stiff or cricked neck is usually mechanical neck pain, which is on the list of conditions the ASA accepts chiropractors can claim to treat. Care involves mobilising the restricted joints, easing the spasm and giving advice to stop it recurring. If examination suggests the problem is not mechanical, I will tell you and refer you on.

Sleeping awkwardly can leave a cervical facet joint restricted and the surrounding muscles then go into protective spasm, sometimes pulling the head to one side: the classic acute wry neck or torticollis. It feels alarming but is rarely serious and usually settles within days, faster with gentle movement than with complete rest.

Most acute episodes of a cricked neck ease within days to perhaps up to two weeks, particularly if you keep the neck gently moving. Pain that has built up over months of tension in the neck and shoulders usually takes longer, often several weeks. If neck pain is not improving after two to four weeks of sensible self-care, it is worth having it properly assessed.I have a good guide written on my blog about how many chiropractic sessions it might take to see an improvement in your symptoms.

Stress alone rarely starts neck pain, but stress-related neck tension is a genuine amplifier. Under pressure, the shoulders creep up and muscles, like the trapezius, stay switched on for hours, producing knots, aching and stiffness. Treatment helps, but so does addressing the pattern itself: screen breaks, exercise and noticing when your shoulders are up around your ears.

Go to A&E, or call 999, if neck pain follows major trauma or comes with a sudden severe headache, difficulty walking or balancing, loss of bladder or bowel control or numbness or weakness in both arms or legs. See your GP promptly if you have fever, unexplained weight loss or a history of cancer alongside neck pain. Otherwise, urgent hospital care is very rarely needed for a stiff neck.

What is behind your neck pain? Come in and find out

There are a lot of possible causes behind mechanical neck pain and the right first step is a proper assessment. If that's what is getting in the way of your day-to-day life, I'd happily see you to find out whether chiropractic may help you. During your consultation I'll take a full medical history, examine you carefully and answer your questions about what is going on in your neck.In the meantime, if you need advice or have questions before booking I offer a free chat.

Mechanical neck pain is a very common reason people come through my door here in Bournemouth and Poole.

In many of the cases I see, chiropractic care is a very well-tolerated option worth considering and I'll explain clearly whether it's likely to help in your particular case. If I think you'd be better served by your GP, a specialist or another practitioner, I'll tell you and help point you in the right direction. Either way, you'll leave knowing more than when you arrived.

There's no pressure and no obligation, just come in, get assessed and let's find you a way forward.

The first step is just a conversation. Call or message, whatever's easiest and we'll take it from there.

References

[1] National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Clinical Knowledge Summary: Neck pain, non-specific. Available at: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/neck-pain-non-specific/

[2] Liu Z, Shi J, Huang Y, et al. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials of manipulative therapy for patients with chronic neck pain. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. 2023;52:101751. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2023.101751

[3] The combined effects of manual therapy and exercise on pain and related disability for individuals with nonspecific neck pain: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy. 2023;31(6). https://doi.org/10.1080/10669817.2023.2202895

[4] Benefits and harms of spinal manipulative therapy for treating recent and persistent nonspecific neck pain: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. 2023;53. https://doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2023.11708

[5] Gross A, Langevin P, Burnie SJ, et al. Manipulation and mobilisation for neck pain contrasted against an inactive control or another active treatment. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2015;(9):CD004249. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD004249.pub4

Medical Disclaimer

The information on this website is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, nor is it a substitute for diagnosis, treatment, or guidance from a qualified healthcare practitioner. If you have any health concern, please consult your GP or another appropriately qualified clinician. Chiropractic treatment isn’t suitable for everyone. Suitability is assessed at your initial consultation, with referral to another healthcare professional made where appropriate. Treatment outcomes vary between individuals, and no guarantee of results is made or implied.

Practitioner: Leslie Budzynski D.C. | Doctor of Chiropractic | GCC registration: 00043 | BCA membership number: 0072

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