Neck pain physio in Newcastle


Fitness Physiotherapy in Newcastle treat neck injuries with evidence based treatments for pain relief and return to sport and daily activities.  Evidence based treatments have been shown to be effective through clinical research, giving people a successful return to sport and life.   neck pic                                 

Neck anatomy


The neck is a complex structure of the spine.  The neck includes seven bony vertebra stacked on top of each other and connected by two joints above and below.  Each joint has is own ligaments, capsule and muscles that connect onto it providing support and movement. Within each vertebra runs the spinal cord in what is called a spinal canal.  The nerves then exit in between each vertebra to supply signals from the brain to control different parts of our body.


Common neck injuries




Whiplash generally results from a traumatic event involving a sudden, vigorous acceleration-deceleration force to the neck.  This can cause excessive movement of the neck and result  in an injury to the tendon, muscles, joints, nerves and other soft tissues. 

The most common cause for whiplash is in a car accident. Other potential causes may include contact sports-related collision.  

Whiplash symptoms depending on the severity of the injury can include pain, stiffness, headaches, weakness and nerve related symptoms.

Research evidence for the treatment of whiplash supports advice to remain active and depending on the degree of the injury, a graded exercise exercise program with activity modifications and some hands on therapy.


Wry neck


Wry neck is a painful,  rotated and tilted neck with contracted muscles.  The neck is initially restricted and unable to move  through its range of movement. 

Wry neck can result from a sudden movement but also occurs after a long period of resting in an awkward neck position most commonly after a deep sleep.

Treatment for a wry neck depending on the cause of the injury involves using techniques to begin to normalise movement and encourage reduced guarding with a long term strategy of strengthening any weak areas.


Neck tension related pain


Neck pain can arise as a result of tension in the muscles surrounding the neck. This can be associated with factors such as stress, weak muscles and fatigue from prolonged sustained postures.  

There is good evidence from the University of Queensland that a graded exercise program that focuses on correcting the tension by strengthening the muscles in the neck and shoulder can significantly reduce neck pain log term.


At Fitness Physiotherapy in Newcastle, we treat neck injuries with evidence based treatments for pain relief and return to sport and play .