Neck Pain

Neck pain is extremely common:

1. NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries estimate that up to 70% of people will experience neck pain at some point in their lives, with rates peaking in middle age and slightly higher in women. 
2. Global research shows neck pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints worldwide, with substantial impact on work and daily life. 

The good news is that for most people, neck pain is not due to anything serious, and responds well to a combination of advice, movement, exercise and manual therapy*. Neck pain and lower back pain can often occur together, particularly when posture, desk work or spinal movement patterns are contributing factors — learn more about our back pain treatment in Edinburgh.

• Trusted Edinburgh clinic since 2005 – five chiropractors with over 75 years’ combined experience
• Evidence-based approach – guided by RCC quality standards for acute neck pain
• Thorough assessment – clear diagnosis, explanation and tailored treatment plan
• Hands-on care + rehab – not just short-term relief; we focus on long-term improvement
• Warm, professional team – friendly support from your first phone call to your final visit

Every person is different, but the most frequent patterns we see at Morningside Chiropractic include:

1. Postural and lifestyle-related neck pain

• Prolonged desk or laptop work
• Looking down at phones and tablets (“tech neck”)
• Long periods of driving or sitting
• Stress and muscle tension in the neck and shoulders
• Headaches coming from the neck

Recent research links sedentary behaviour and screen use (especially mobile phones and computers) with an increased risk of neck pain, particularly in working-age adults who sit for many hours each day.  

2. Mechanical / non-specific neck pain

Pain related to joints, discs, ligaments and muscles of the neck, often described as:

• Local neck stiffness or ache
• Pain referring into the shoulders or upper back (more on this on our Back Pain & Sciatica page).
• “Mechanical” pain that changes with movement or posture

This is the kind of problem the RCC Acute Neck Pain Quality Standard focuses on – type I and II neck pain that is not associated with serious pathology or nerve damage.  

3. Neck pain with arm symptoms (possible “trapped nerve” / cervical radiculopathy)

Sometimes neck problems irritate a nerve in the neck, leading to:

• Pain radiating into the shoulder, arm or hand
• Pins and needles, numbness, or weakness in the arm or hand

These cases need careful assessment. We work in line with NICE guidance on neck pain with radiculopathy and will refer you to your GP or appropriate specialist if we suspect you need medical imaging, medication, or further investigation.  

4. Degenerative / age-related changes

• Osteoarthritis in the neck joints
• “Wear and tear” (spondylosis) visible on scans

These findings are very common as we age and do not always correlate with pain, but they may be part of the picture in some cases.

5. Whiplash and injury-related neck pain

• Road traffic collisions
• Sports injuries (e.g. rugby tackles or falls)
• Sudden acceleration/deceleration injuries

We assess these cases carefully against red-flag criteria from the RCC standard and relevant clinical guidelines, and may advise seeing your GP or A&E first if needed.  

While most neck pain is not serious, there are some situations where you should seek urgent medical assessment (NHS 111, your GP, or A&E). 

You should seek urgent medical help if:

• You’ve had recent significant trauma (e.g. fall from height, road traffic accident)
• You have severe neck pain with fever, feeling very unwell, or unexplained weight loss
• You notice difficulty walking, problems with coordination or weakness in arms or legs
• You develop problems controlling your bladder or bowels
• You have a history of cancer, osteoporosis, or long-term steroid use and new severe neck pain

Our chiropractors always screen for these “red flag” indicators during your first appointment. If we’re concerned, we won’t treat you – we’ll explain our findings and help you access the most appropriate medical care.

Your chiropractor will:

✔ Listen – We take time to understand your symptoms, lifestyle, work demands and medical history.

✔ Examine –This includes movement testing, joint and muscle assessment, and neurological checks where appropriate — with red-flag screening based on RCC and NICE standards.

✔ Explain –You’ll receive a clear diagnosis, what we recommend, and how long recovery may take.

Treatment usually begins at this first visit if appropriate.

👉 For a full breakdown of what happens at your first visit

Your treatment plan is tailored to you – your condition, lifestyle, preferences and goals.

Chiropractic Adjustments & joint Mobilisation

Gentle, specific techniques to:

• Improve movement in the neck and upper back
• Reduce stiffness and mechanical irritation
• Help restore more comfortable, efficient movement

If you’re nervous about manipulation, we can use low-force mobilisation, activator instrument or other gentle techniques instead.

Soft Tissue and Muscle Work

We may use:

• Trigger point therapy
• Myofascial release
• Gentle stretching

These approaches help ease muscle tension in the neck, shoulders and upper back, making it easier to move comfortably.

Individualised Exercise & Rehab

For long-term improvement, exercise is essential. We’ll design a simple programme you can realistically do at home or in the office, such as:

• Neck mobility and stretching
• Strengthening for deep neck muscles and shoulder blades
• Postural endurance work to help you cope better with desk or driving demands

Posture, Ergonomics & Lifestyle Advice

Small changes often make a big difference. We can help with:

• Desk and screen set-up (home and office)
• Strategies for regular breaks and micro-movement
• Ways to reduce the impact of phone and tablet use
• Stress-related muscle tension management

Dry needling (if appropriate)

Two of our chiropractors (Vicky & Tony) also offer dry needling (Western medical acupuncture) as part of a broader treatment plan, particularly for stubborn muscle knots and tension-type headaches.

If Neck Pain is disrupting your work, sleep or daily life, we can help you move more comfortably and confidently again.

✔ Evidence-based care

✔ Friendly, experienced team

✔ Appointments Monday–Saturday

👉 Book your Neck Pain Assessment using the the Enquiry Form below or call 0131 447 3794