Why necks get stiff and sore
Our necks do a lot of work. They hold up a head that weighs about as much as a bowling ball, and they move it thousands of times a day. When we spend hours looking down at a phone, leaning toward a laptop, or holding the same position behind the wheel, the muscles and joints of the neck and upper back get tired and irritated. Stress adds to it, as many of us hold tension in our shoulders without noticing.
The result is a familiar mix of stiffness, aching across the shoulders, pain when turning your head to check a blind spot, and sometimes pain that spreads into the shoulder blade or down the arm. Neck problems also commonly cause headaches, often felt at the base of the skull, around the temples, or behind one eye.
Headaches that start in the neck
Not every headache comes from the neck, and part of our job is working out which ones do. Headaches from the neck tend to sit on one side, start at the back of the head and spread forward, and get worse with certain neck positions or after long periods at a desk. Tension-type headaches often feel like a tight band around the head and are linked to stress and muscle tension.
If your headaches do not fit these patterns, or you have any warning signs, we will refer you to your doctor. We work alongside local physicians and are happy to share our findings with them.
How we assess your neck
At your first visit we ask about your symptoms, your work and daily routine, how you sleep, and your general health. We check how your neck and upper back move, test strength, sensation and reflexes in your arms, and examine the muscles and joints involved. We also take a careful screening history before any hands-on neck treatment, so we can choose the safest approach for you.
What treatment looks like
Your plan depends on what we find and what you want to get back to. It usually includes:
- Gentle joint mobilization or adjustment of the neck and upper back to ease stiffness. You always choose whether you are comfortable with each technique.
- Soft tissue work for tight muscles across the neck, shoulders and upper back.
- Exercises to strengthen the deep neck muscles and the muscles between your shoulder blades, which support good head position through the day.
- Setup changes for your desk, screen, car seat and pillow, which often make as much difference as anything we do in the clinic.
Many people feel easier movement after the first visit, and headaches often become less frequent over the following weeks as the neck settles and habits change. We track your progress and change the plan if it is not working.
Book a neck pain visit in Dothan
If a sore neck or regular headaches are wearing you down, call us to book. We see patients from Dothan and across the Wiregrass, with early morning and late afternoon appointments that fit around work. We check your insurance before your visit, so there are no surprises.
