Neck Pain
Stiffness, restricted turning, and headaches that build through the day, usually driven by sustained position rather than injury.
Common symptoms
- , Stiffness and restricted turning
- , Ache across the top of the shoulders
- , Headaches starting at the base of the skull
- , Pain building through the working day
- , Pins and needles into an arm
Common causes
- , Sustained screen or bench work
- , Carrying loads on one shoulder
- , Diving equipment and heavy tanks
- , Sleeping position or an unsuitable pillow
- , Joint irritation in the neck
Position, not injury
Most neck pain arrives without an incident. Nobody did anything to it; they simply held a position for long enough, often enough, that the tissue objected.
That is good news, problems caused by what you do are problems you can change, and they respond quickly once the driver is identified.
Local causes worth naming
Divers and dive staff carry tanks awkwardly on land, often on one side, and the neck and shoulder complaints that follow are more common here than the diving itself would suggest.
Carrying on one shoulder (bags, tools, produce) produces reliably one-sided neck pain over months.
Screen work in the CBD offices, the same pattern found in any city: monitor too low, shoulders creeping up, headache by mid-afternoon.
Treatment and prevention
Manual therapy eases the joint restriction and muscle tension, which usually brings quick relief. Keeping it away needs the less interesting part: changing the task, alternating sides, and strengthening the deep neck muscles that fatigue first and hand the work over to the larger muscles that then tighten.
How we treat it
- , Joint mobilisation to restore rotation
- , Soft-tissue release around the shoulder girdle
- , Deep neck flexor strengthening
- , Workstation or task adjustment
- , Acupuncture where pain is persistent
Typical recovery: Typically 2–4 weeks for uncomplicated neck pain
See a doctor urgently if you have
- !Neck pain after a fall or road accident
- !Progressive weakness or numbness in an arm
- !Severe headache unlike any you have had
- !Dizziness, visual disturbance or difficulty swallowing with neck pain
- !Fever with neck stiffness
These are not physiotherapy problems. Go to a doctor or hospital rather than booking with us.
Treatments that help
Common questions
Can my neck be causing my headaches?
Yes. Cervicogenic headaches typically start at the base of the skull and spread forward, often one-sided, and often build through the day. They respond well to treating the neck.
I carry loads on one shoulder all day. Is that the cause?
Very likely a major contributor. Asymmetric loading over months produces exactly the one-sided pattern we see most. Alternating sides helps, but building the capacity to tolerate the load helps more.
My arm tingles. Is that serious?
It usually means a nerve in the neck is irritated, which is common and generally settles. Persistent or worsening weakness needs assessing promptly, mention it at the first appointment.
Book a physiotherapist on the coast
Clinic appointments in Nyali, or a physiotherapist at your door from Mtwapa to Diani. Same-week slots.