Neck pain affects up to 50% of adults at some point in their lives and is the fourth leading cause of disability globally. With the rise of smartphones and home working, cervical complaints are becoming more prevalent — and chiropractic is one of the most effective treatments available.
Types of Neck Pain We Treat
Postural neck pain
The most common type — caused by prolonged desk work, looking down at phones, or driving.
Acute torticollis ("wry neck")
Sudden onset of severe neck stiffness and pain, often waking up with the neck locked to one side.
Cervical disc problems
Disc bulges in the neck causing local pain and sometimes arm pain (cervical radiculopathy).
Cervicogenic headaches
Headaches originating from the cervical spine — often felt at the base of skull and temples.
Whiplash
Neck injury from rapid acceleration-deceleration (car accidents, contact sport). Causes ligament and joint damage.
Cervical facet syndrome
Degeneration of the small facet joints in the neck. Causes pain on rotation and extension.
Signs You Should See a Chiropractor for Neck Pain
- → Persistent stiffness that limits your ability to turn your head
- → Neck pain that radiates into your shoulder, arm, or hand
- → Recurring headaches that start at the base of your skull
- → Neck pain that has not resolved within 2–3 weeks of self-treatment
- → Pain that worsens with sitting at a desk or looking at screens
- → Clicking, grinding, or locking sensations in the neck
The "Text Neck" Epidemic
Forward head posture — where the head sits in front of the shoulders rather than directly above — increases the effective weight the cervical spine must support dramatically:
5 kg
0° — Neutral
12 kg
15° — Head tilted forward
18 kg
30° — Smartphone use
22 kg
45° — Common desk posture
27 kg
60° — Severe forward tilt
This chronic overloading of the cervical spine leads to muscle fatigue, joint degeneration, and nerve irritation. Chiropractic correction of alignment, combined with postural retraining, is highly effective.
Treatment Approach at Kingston Chiropractic
Dr Kelly will assess your cervical spine fully before recommending treatment. For neck pain, this typically includes:
Get your neck pain assessed today
£37 initial consultation — full assessment included.