Neck & jaw Orthopaedic Rehabilitation
Neck Pain
- Stiffness turning the head
- Ache into the shoulder or upper back
- Headaches starting at the base of the skull
- Pain worse after screen work
Quick answer
Neck pain is usually mechanical, arising from the joints and muscles of the neck rather than from serious disease. Desk work, sustained postures and stress are the common drivers. Most episodes settle within two to six weeks with hands-on treatment, targeted strengthening and changes to how you work.
Typical recovery
2–6 weeks for most cases
A typical range, not a promise — how long it takes depends on how long it has been going on, and on what you do between appointments.
Neck pain is the second most common musculoskeletal complaint after back pain, and in office workers it is often the first. The neck holds the head — about five kilograms — in position all day, and it is the sustained holding rather than any single movement that usually causes trouble.
What it feels like
Stiffness turning the head, an ache spreading into the shoulder blade or the top of the shoulders, and often headaches that start at the base of the skull and wrap forward. It is typically worse at the end of a working day and better after a weekend.
Pain travelling down the arm with pins and needles suggests nerve involvement, which is assessed differently — see cervical spondylosis.
Why it happens
Long periods in one position, a screen set too low, phone use with the head dropped forward, weak deep neck muscles, and stress, which raises resting muscle tone across the shoulders. Sleeping position and pillow height matter more than most people expect.
How physiotherapy helps
- Hands-on mobilisation of the stiff neck and upper back segments
- Strengthening the deep neck flexors and the muscles between the shoulder blades, which typically switch off
- Stretching what has shortened at the front of the chest and neck
- Practical workstation changes — screen height, chair, elbow support
- Advice on sleeping position and pillow choice
How long it takes
A straightforward episode settles in two to four weeks. Long-standing, desk-driven neck pain takes six to eight weeks, and holds only if the workstation changes are actually made.
When to seek help urgently
See a doctor promptly for neck pain following a significant accident, or with weakness in the arms or hands, unsteadiness on your feet, or difficulty with fine hand tasks like buttons and keys.
Medically reviewed by Nasir Mughees, BPT, MPT, Orthopaedic Physiotherapy · Last reviewed September 2026