Neck pain is one of the most common reasons people come to see us. It is also one of the most common causes of headaches. The neck, or cervical spine, sits at the top of your spinal column, holds up the weight of your head, and is packed with joints, muscles and nerves. When something in that system is unhappy, the effects can spread well beyond the neck itself.
The good news is that most neck pain responds well to physiotherapy. We see people for neck pain, whiplash, tension headaches and migraines at our Pimpama clinic, and we also offer home visits across the Gold Coast, Logan and Brisbane.
Why Your Neck Hurts: Common Causes of Neck Pain
Most neck pain is mechanical. That means it comes from the joints, muscles and soft tissue rather than anything sinister, and it is usually treatable. Common drivers include:
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Long hours at a desk or on a phone, the classic tech neck
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Sleeping in an awkward position
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Heavy lifting or a sudden twisting movement
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Stress, jaw clenching and poor sleep
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Age-related changes in the neck joints
A physio assessment works out which of these is driving your pain, so the treatment targets the cause and not just the symptom.
Physiotherapy for Whiplash After a Car Accident
Whiplash is a neck injury caused by a rapid back-and-forth movement of the head. It most often happens in a rear-end car accident, but it can also come from a sporting impact, a fall or even an amusement park ride. Symptoms can include:
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Neck pain and stiffness
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Headaches and dizziness
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Jaw, shoulder and upper back pain
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Pins and needles in the arms
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Trouble concentrating
Whiplash often feels worse 24 to 72 hours after the accident than it did at the time, which is why early assessment matters. Research and Australian whiplash guidelines point the same way: staying gently active and starting structured physiotherapy early tends to lead to better long-term recovery than rest alone.
We can treat whiplash and other motor vehicle injuries under CTP (compulsory third party) insurance, and we also work with WorkCover and private health funds. If you are a participant of the National Injury Insurance Scheme Queensland (NIISQ), you may be eligible for rehabilitation services under the scheme. Contact us to discuss your situation.
If your accident left you with dizziness or a knock to the head, our vertigo and dizziness and concussion pages may also be useful.
The Neck And Headache Link: How Physiotherapy Helps Headaches
People are often surprised that a physio treats headaches. The connection is the neck. Research has long shown the upper neck plays a part in many headaches, and around 70% of people with frequent headaches also report neck symptoms alongside the head pain.
Here are the headache types we commonly assess and treat.
Cervicogenic Headaches: Headaches That Start In The Neck
These come from the neck itself. They are often felt as a dull, one-sided ache that starts at the base of the skull and spreads forward. Cervicogenic headaches are easy to miss, and they often respond well to physiotherapy when the neck is the driver.
Tension-Type Headaches
The most common headache. People describe a tight band around the head, pressure across the forehead, or an ache at the back of the head and neck. They are frequently linked to muscle tension, posture, stress and poor sleep, all things physiotherapy can help address.
Migraines And The Upper Neck
Migraines are usually more intense. They are often one-sided and throbbing, and can come with nausea, light sensitivity, sound sensitivity or visual disturbance. The neck is not the cause of migraine, but research suggests the upper neck is involved for many people. In one study, nearly half of people with migraine had their head pain reproduced by sustained pressure on the upper neck. For people who feel they have tried everything, a careful assessment of this region can make a real difference. The patient organisation Migraine Australia also recognises the role physiotherapy can play.
Mixed Headaches
Many people have a combination of the above. A thorough physio assessment can identify which contributors matter most for you, so the plan fits your headache and not a textbook.
The Watson Headache® Approach
Our Pimpama physiotherapist Jacky Chiang has trained in the Watson Headache® Approach, a specific, evidence-based method of assessing and treating the upper neck for people with persistent headaches and migraines. The approach uses a precise examination of the top three vertebrae (C1 to C3) to work out whether the neck is contributing to your headaches, and to apply targeted treatment if it is.
Jacky Chiang attended the Watson Headache® Institute Level 1 Foundation Headache Course titled "Cervicogenic Headache and The Role of C1–C3 Cervical Afferents in Primary Headache" presented by Dr Dean H Watson PhD, Australian Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist. The course was held offline, 9th–11th August 2019, in Sydney, Australia. For further information, go to: www.WatsonHeadacheInstitute.com.
The course was based on the Watson Headache® Approach, a protocol for the skilled assessment and management of the upper cervical (neck) spine in Cervicogenic and Primary Headache, and related conditions in which the underlying dysfunction is sensitisation of the lower brainstem. The Watson Headache® Approach is recognised as a scientifically researched method of examination as well as a comprehensive clinical management system.
How We Treat Neck Pain, Headaches And Whiplash
Treatment usually combines three things:
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Hands-on techniques to settle the joints and muscles down
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Exercise to restore movement and build strength
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Practical advice on posture, ergonomics and sleep
For stubborn or recurring symptoms, we look deeper at upper-body strength, breathing patterns, jaw function and stress. For headaches and migraines, we apply the Watson Headache® Approach where appropriate to assess and treat the upper neck.
Many people begin to feel a difference within the first few sessions, though how quickly things change varies from person to person. We will be realistic with you about what to expect and adjust the plan as we go. Where ongoing muscle tension is part of the picture, remedial massage can be a useful addition.
Neck Pain And Headache Physio In Pimpama And On The Gold Coast
You can see us at our Pimpama clinic, or we can come to you. We offer mobile physiotherapy across the Gold Coast, Logan and Brisbane, which suits people who find travel difficult or simply prefer to be seen at home. Our team also has strong neurological physiotherapy experience, which helps when neck symptoms come with dizziness, balance issues or after a head injury.
Frequently Asked Questions
Living with Neck Pain, Whiplash or recurring Headaches?
Book a neck pain or headache assessment at our Pimpama clinic, or request a home visit on the Gold Coast, Logan or Brisbane.
Phone 0432 730 386 or email admin@pimpamaphysio.com.au.