Why Cervical Pain Happens, Its Symptoms, and How Physiotherapy Can Help?
Did you know that up to 70% of people experience neck pain at some point in their lives? Cervical pain, or pain in the neck area, is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It can be incredibly painful, making it hard to focus on anything else. You can’t relax, and it feels like your entire attention is consumed by the discomfort.
But cervical pain isn’t just limited to the neck. Often, the pain radiates throughout the body because it’s connected to nerve issues. It’s more than just a physical ache—it’s a condition that can disrupt your life completely. In this blog, we’ll dive deep into the details of cervical pain, exploring its symptoms, causes, and most importantly, how physiotherapy can help you find relief and get back to living pain-free.
Symptoms That You Have Cervical:
If you have most of these symptoms, chances are you are suffering from cervical pain:
- Neck Pain: Stiffness, tightness, or general discomfort.
- Shoulder and Back Pain: Pain spreading to the shoulders or upper back.
- Restricted Movement: Difficulty turning or tilting the head.
- Headaches: Pain starting at the base of the skull.
- Tingling or Numbness: Unusual sensations felt in the arms, hands, or fingers.
- Muscle Weakness: Weakness in shoulders, arms, or hands.
- Radiating Pain: Pain travelling to the arms or legs (nerve-related).
- Sleep Problems: Waking up with neck pain or discomfort while sleeping.
- Dizziness: Occasional lightheadedness due to cervical issues.
- Tenderness: Soreness in neck or shoulder muscles.

What Causes Cervical Pain?
Cervical pain doesn’t happen without a reason. It’s often the result of everyday habits or conditions that affect the muscles, joints, or nerves in your neck. Below are some of the most frequent causes:
- Bad Posture: We often don’t realize that how we sit or stand can affect our neck. Slouching or craning your neck forward for long periods can put extra strain on the muscles and joints, leading to pain.
- Muscle Strain: Whether it’s from carrying heavy bags, sudden movements, or simply overusing your muscles, strain can easily cause neck pain.
- Injuries: Accidents like car crashes or falls can lead to whiplash or direct injury to the cervical spine, resulting in ongoing pain.
- Degenerative Disc Disease: As we age, the discs in our spine can begin to wear down, causing discomfort and stiffness in the neck.
- Osteoarthritis: This condition affects the joints in your spine and can result in painful inflammation and stiffness in the neck.
- Stress: Yes, stress can manifest physically in your body, particularly in your neck and shoulders. When you’re stressed, your muscles may tense up, leading to pain.
How Physiotherapy Can Help Relieve Cervical Pain?
You can consume medicines for neck pain relief, but they only provide temporary comfort. However, physiotherapy helps address the root causes of cervical pain and offers long-term benefits. Here’s how it works for you:
Pain Relief:
Your physiotherapist can use techniques like manual therapy to move the neck joints gently, which helps with stiffness and pain. They might also use heat or cold packs to reduce inflammation or electrotherapy (like TENS) to block the pain signals.
Fixing Your Posture:
If you have bad posture, like slouching or leaning forward, it can make neck pain worse. Your physiotherapist will show you exercises to help improve your posture, so the strain on your neck gets less over time.
Strengthening Your Neck Muscles:
Weak muscles around your neck can make pain worse. The physiotherapist will give you special exercises to strengthen these muscles, which helps support your neck and prevents more pain.
Stretching Your Neck:
Tight muscles can make your neck hurt even more. Stretching exercises can help loosen up those muscles, improve flexibility, and get better blood flow to the area so it heals faster.
Ergonomic Tips:
Your physiotherapist will give you simple tips for sitting, standing, or sleeping in ways that don’t put stress on your neck. Small adjustments to your daily routine can have a significant impact!
Special Treatments:
Sometimes, if there are muscle knots or trigger points in your neck, physiotherapists can use dry needling (also called IMS) to release the tension. This helps relax the muscles and improves circulation, speeding up recovery.
Lifestyle Tips for Cervical Pain
Avoid Sleeping on Soft Pillows: Use a firm pillow to keep your neck properly aligned while sleeping.
- Check Your Posture: Make sure you’re not slouching or leaning forward when sitting or standing.
- Take Frequent Breaks: If you work at a desk, take breaks every 30 minutes to stretch and move around.
- Sleep on Your Back or Side: Avoid sleeping on your stomach, as it puts extra strain on your neck.
- Use Ergonomic Furniture: Ensure your chair and desk are at the right height to prevent neck strain.
- Avoid Holding the Phone Between Your Shoulder and Ear: This can cause neck strain. Use a hands-free device or speakerphone instead.
- Lift Properly: When lifting objects, bend at your knees, not your back, to avoid putting extra stress on your neck.
- Stay Active: Regular exercise, including neck stretches, can help keep muscles strong and flexible.
Conclusion
Cervical pain can be a real challenge, but it doesn’t have to control your life. With the right physiotherapy treatments, you can reduce pain, improve your posture, and strengthen the muscles in your neck to prevent future issues. By making simple changes to your daily routine and working with a skilled physiotherapist, you can enjoy a pain-free lifestyle once again.
If you’re dealing with cervical pain, visit Vital Physiotherapy in Surrey, BC, and let us help you get back to feeling your best!