Why does my neck hurt? Billy Gilhooley's guide to causes, treatment & recovery
- Billy Gilhooley
- 24 minutes ago
- 5 min read
Neck pain is one of those things most of us experience at some point — whether it’s a dull stiffness after a long day at the desk, a sharp twinge when you turn your head too quickly, or an ache that just seems to hang around for weeks. As a physiotherapist here in Preston, I, Billy Gilhooley, see neck pain walk through the clinic door almost daily. It doesn’t matter if you’re a tradie, an office worker, or even an athlete — neck issues don’t discriminate.
The good news? Most neck pain has a clear cause, responds really well to treatment, and with the right guidance, you can often take big steps towards managing it yourself.
If you’d like to know more about me and my background, visit the About page.
What’s Really Causing Your Neck Pain?
Neck pain can come from a lot of different sources, but here are some of the most common culprits I see in clinic:
Muscle strain and tension – This is the classic “desk worker neck.” Hours spent hunched over a screen or staring at your phone can overload certain muscles while leaving others weak and underused.
Joint stiffness or irritation – The small joints in your neck (facet joints) can get stiff or irritated, often making turning your head feel restricted or uncomfortable.
Disc-related issues – While less common, discs in the cervical spine can bulge or degenerate, sometimes irritating nearby nerves and causing tingling or referred pain into the shoulder or arm (HealthDirect - Spinal Disc Problems).
Poor posture habits – “Tech neck” is real. The further your head sits forward, the more strain it places on the muscles and joints of your neck (HealthDirect – neck pain).
Injury and trauma – Whiplash from a car accident or contact sport can leave lingering pain and instability if not properly rehabilitated.
Patients often ask me: “Why does it feel worse first thing in the morning?” The answer is usually pretty simple. Overnight, your neck can stiffen from being in one position for hours, or your pillow might not be offering the support you need.
If you’re curious about how neck mechanics link with other conditions, I’ve also written about joint manipulation and tendon relief.
When Should You Worry?
Most neck pain isn’t serious, but there are times when you shouldn’t just “wait it out.” You should book in with a physiotherapist if:
The pain lasts more than a week without improving.
It’s spreading into your shoulder, arm, or down between your shoulder blades.
You’re getting pins and needles, numbness, or weakness in the arm or hand.
Turning your head is so restricted it’s interfering with driving, working, or sleeping.
If you’re unsure whether your symptoms require professional care, our FAQ’s section covers the most common questions patients ask before booking.
How Physiotherapy Helps Neck Pain
Every neck is different, and that’s why cookie-cutter advice doesn’t work. At Specific Physiotherapy Preston, I tailor each treatment to the individual — but most plans include a mix of:
Hands-on treatment – Joint mobilisation or manipulation to improve movement, plus soft tissue release for tight, overworked muscles.
Targeted exercise – Strengthening the deep stabilising muscles of the neck and upper back is key for long-term results.
Dry needling or massage – Helpful for stubborn trigger points that don’t release with stretching alone.
Education & ergonomic advice – Often, the real breakthrough comes from small changes at home or work. Adjusting a desk, changing pillow height, or simply building more movement breaks into the day can make all the difference.
To see how physiotherapy can also improve jaw-related conditions, check out my article on TMJ-related headaches and jaw tension.
Can Remedial Massage Help With Neck Pain?
Alongside physiotherapy, remedial massage can play an important role in easing neck pain.
Many people carry tension through their shoulders and upper traps without even realising it, and this constant muscle tightness can feed into neck stiffness and headaches.
Remedial massage helps by:
Improving circulation to tight, overworked muscles.
Releasing trigger points that contribute to pain and restricted movement.
Promoting relaxation, which is particularly useful if stress is a factor in your neck pain.
At our clinic in Preston, remedial massage is often used alongside physiotherapy treatments to give patients more complete relief. It’s especially helpful for office workers who spend long hours at a desk, or anyone experiencing recurring tightness in the neck and shoulders.
If you’re curious about this approach, visit our Remedial Massage Preston page to learn more.
A Real Case From Billy Gilhooley's Clinic
Not long ago, I, Billy Gilhooley, treated a young office worker who came in saying, “I can’t turn my head to check traffic when I drive — it’s locked up completely.” On assessment, I found her upper and mid-cervical joints were stiff, and her upper traps were overcompensating for weaker stabilisers.
Over two sessions, we combined joint mobilisation, soft tissue release, and some simple home stretches. Within a week, she went from a pain score of 7/10 to 2/10. By the third session, she was confident driving again and back to her usual gym routine.
Stories like this are common, but they highlight an important point: with the right treatment and some consistency, neck pain doesn’t have to drag on.
If you’d like to read more about long-term issues and why pain sometimes lingers, I’ve explained this in Understanding Chronic Pain: Why It Won’t Just Go Away.
What You Can Do at Home
If your pain is mild or you’re waiting for your physio appointment, here are a few strategies you can safely try:
Posture resets – Every half hour, sit tall, gently tuck your chin, and roll your shoulders back.
Heat therapy – A warm shower or heat pack on stiff muscles can be soothing and improve blood flow.
Gentle stretches – Slowly tilt your head to one side (ear toward shoulder), hold for 20 seconds, and repeat on the other side.
⚠️ Important: If any stretch or exercise increases your pain, or you experience tingling or numbness, stop immediately and seek professional help.
For more treatment approaches, you can browse our Treatments page.
FAQs I Hear Every Week
Q: Can stress cause neck pain?
Absolutely. Stress often makes us tense through the shoulders, which feeds into the neck muscles.
Q: How long will recovery take?
For a simple muscle strain, most people feel improvement within days to two weeks. More complex issues like a disc irritation can take longer, but with structured physio treatment, progress is usually steady.
Q: Do I need a scan before treatment?
In most cases, no. A detailed physiotherapy assessment can pinpoint the problem. Scans are only necessary if there are red flags or if recovery isn’t following the expected course.
If you have other questions, visit the FAQ’s page or explore the Blog for more detailed articles.
Neck Pain in Preston: Why Local Matters
At my Preston physio clinic, I see a pattern: office workers commuting to Melbourne city on the train or tram, sitting at desks all day, and spending evenings on laptops or phones. Add in weekend sport, gym, or even just carrying kids around — it’s a recipe for overloaded necks.
By addressing posture, strengthening key muscles, and using evidence-based treatment, Billy Gilhooley Physiotherapy helps people reduce pain and stop it coming back.
To learn more about my approach, check out Stop Managing Pain. Billy Gilhooley’s Approach to Treating the Real Cause.
The Takeaway
Neck pain is frustrating, but it’s rarely permanent. With the right combination of hands-on treatment, exercise, and education, most people recover quickly and learn strategies to prevent flare-ups in the future.
If you’re dealing with ongoing neck pain, don’t just push through — come see me, Billy Gilhooley, at Specific Physiotherapy Preston. We’ll take the time to assess what’s really causing it and create a personalised plan that gets you back to moving comfortably.
You can easily book an appointment via our Contact page.