Neck pain
Your neck (cervical spine) balances a head weighing around 4–5 kg and protects delicate nerves and blood vessels travelling between brain and body.
Hours on a laptop or phone (“tech-neck”), stress, old sports injuries, sleep posture, jaw issues, shoulder weakness, and core control all influence how this area feels. Pain may stay local… or travel:
between the shoulder blades
into the arm as numbness, tingling, or weakness
up into the head, ears, or behind the eyes (cervicogenic headache)
Neck pain is recognised as one of the leading causes of disability worldwide.
At Roots Health Clinic in Prague, we treat neck pain with an emphasis on safety, clear communication, and informed consent. We use a spectrum of approaches—from gentle, instrument-assisted techniques such as Activator and joint mobilisation, to soft-tissue work, exercise, and education—and only use stronger manipulation when it’s clearly appropriate and safe.
Neck pain - cervical spine, head & arm symptoms
Neck pain can feel like:
stiffness or locking when you turn your head
sharp pain when you look up or over your shoulder
an ache that sits at the base of the skull or between the shoulder blades
pain that radiates into the arm, hand, head, or chest
Common things people tell us:
“It feels blocked and tight, especially after the computer.”
“Pain runs from my neck into my shoulder blade or down my arm.”
“If I sleep badly or get stressed, my neck and headaches flare together.”
Our aim is to understand which structures are irritated, why they’re overloaded, and how to help you move and live with less pain and more confidence.
⚠️ Important: Some neck problems need urgent medical care. See the “When to Seek Urgent Medical Care” section below.
What's going on in the body?
Your cervical spine:
balances a 4–5 kg head on a relatively small base
allows a huge range of motion (looking up/down, turning, side-bending)
houses the spinal cord, nerve roots, and major blood vessels (carotid and vertebral arteries)
Because it sits at the crossroads of many forces, the neck can be affected by:
Direct trauma – whiplash in a road-traffic collision, falls, awkward tackles
Jaw/occlusion – how your upper and lower teeth meet changes jaw muscle tone, pulling on the base of the skull and influencing neck mechanics
Shoulder and upper back mechanics – rounded shoulders or stiff upper thoracic spine change how the shoulder girdle supports (or strains) the neck
Core and pelvis – when deep abdominal and pelvic muscles don’t share load well, more compensatory tension travels up into the neck
In short: trauma, bite alignment, occupational posture, shoulder function, and core stability all interact to decide whether your neck feels supported or overloaded.
Why you might be feeling this way
Patterns we often see:
Long laptop/phone time
head-down angles multiply load on the neck
tightness at the base of the skull, between the shoulder blades
Workstation setup
low screens, unsupported forearms, non-adjusted chairs
shoulders creep up, neck muscles work overtime
Stress & breathing patterns
shallow, mouth-open, or chest-dominant breathing
neck muscles become “accessory breathers” and stay overactive
Sleep posture & pillows
very high or low pillows, stomach sleeping, or twisted positions
Sports technique
repeated overhead work, swimming breath timing, cycling posture
heavy lifting without good shoulder and core coordination
Carrying kids, bags, or backpacks
one-sided loads strain the shoulder–neck complex
Jaw clenching / bruxism
often tied to stress, caffeine, and screen time
many people don’t realise they clench until symptoms show up
Shoulder weakness or tight chest
poor scapular control shifts work into the neck
Limited mid-back mobility
stiff thoracic spine means the neck has to move more to compensate
Core under-activation
when the trunk isn’t sharing the load, the neck “helps” and overworks
Old injuries
previous sprains/strains leave sensitive tissues that need graded loading, not just rest
How we can help at Roots
At Roots Health Clinic, we focus on both relief now and building a more resilient neck–shoulder–core system over time.
Assessment
Your first visit usually includes:
History & screening
how and when your neck pain started
what makes it better or worse
previous injuries, medical conditions, and medications
screening questions to rule out serious causes (vascular, neurological, systemic)
Physical examination
range of motion and joint mechanics in the neck and upper thoracic spine
muscle tone and trigger points in neck, shoulders, and upper back
jaw function and bite patterns if relevant
shoulder blade control, chest tightness, and basic core activation
simple neurological tests (reflexes, strength, sensation, balance) where appropriate
Based on this, we’ll explain what we think is going on, discuss options, and agree a plan together.
Treatment & active care
Your plan may include:
Specific chiropractic adjustments, Activator & mobilisation
gentle joint mobilisation for stiff segments of the neck and upper back
instrument-assisted, low-force techniques such as Activator, which deliver small, targeted impulses without twisting the neck
where clearly appropriate and safe, carefully selected high-velocity manipulation (“cracking”)
we only use manipulation when we believe the benefits outweigh the risks, after screening and discussion. Many patients are treated entirely with lower-force options such as Activator, mobilisation, soft-tissue work and exercise. You can always decline manipulation.
Graded mobilisation & exercise therapy (Physio + Chiro)
repeated, controlled movements to desensitise stiff joints
specific exercises for deep neck flexors, shoulder blades, and upper back
improving coordination between neck, shoulders, and core
Massage & myofascial release (licensed physio-massage team)
reducing muscle guarding and improving circulation
working on trigger points in upper traps, levator, suboccipitals, and jaw muscles
with sensitive tissues, you may feel short-term soreness or a mild flare after therapy—this usually settles within 24–48 hours. You’ll always have our email and phone number if anything concerns you between visits.
Posture, movement & “stress-down” tools
workstation changes, micro-break ideas, and movement snacks
breathing techniques to reduce neck-driven breathing
simple home strategies to calm a sensitised nervous system
Exercise referral or further investigation
when extra supervised rehab, imaging, or medical input is needed
we may liaise with your GP, dentist, or relevant specialist
We aim to keep treatment within your comfort zone, explain what we’re doing and why, and adjust as we go.
Ready to get to the root of your neck pain?
If neck pain, arm symptoms, or neck-related headaches are affecting your work, sleep, or sport, you don’t have to navigate it alone.
At Roots Health Clinic in Prague, our chiropractors and physiotherapists can help you:
understand what’s driving your neck pain
treat irritated joints, muscles, and nerves using safe, clearly explained techniques including low-force options like Activator
build strength, control, and habits that support your neck long-term
You’ll always have our email and phone number, so you can reach us between visits if you have questions or concerns.
GHS online programs – start healing from home
We highly recommend these trusted online programs from Good Health Society to support your recovery from disc issues—whether you're waiting for your first visit or looking to stay pain-free between sessions:
The Good Back Academy
Understand why neck and upper back tension keeps coming back—and how to break the cycle with smarter movement, posture, and daily habits.
The Acute Back Pain Guide
Step-by-step help for sudden stiffness, spasms, or sharp pain. Learn what to do (and what to avoid) in the early days to calm your system and move with confidence again.
When you should seek emergency care
Most neck pain is mechanical and responds well to conservative care. But some signs need urgent medical assessment:
sudden, severe neck pain or headache with:
facial droop, slurred speech, vision changes, severe dizziness, loss of balance
recent significant trauma (fall, crash, high-speed tackle) with:
inability to move the neck or bear weight on arms/legs
unexplained fever, feeling very unwell, night sweats, or weight loss
history of cancer, infection, or significant immune compromise
progressive limb weakness, spreading numbness, or unsteady gait
bowel or bladder changes associated with spinal symptoms
If any of these appear, we will pause treatment, explain our concerns, and refer you for appropriate medical evaluation (GP, urgent care, or emergency department).
What people often notice over time
With appropriate care and home strategies, many people report:
reduced day-to-day neck pain and stiffness
easier turning to check mirrors or look over the shoulder
fewer or milder neck-related headaches
better understanding of what helps and what to avoid
more confidence that they can look after their neck long-term
We don’t promise miracle cures—but we do aim for steady, sustainable progress based on your goals.
Common conditions we see
Examples of neck-related problems we regularly see at Roots:
Muscle strain & trigger points
overworked upper trapezius, levator scapulae, deep neck muscles
tight, aching “knots” from desk work, stress, or lifting
Facet joint irritation (“stiff joints”)
sharp, local pain with turning or looking up
often one-sided, can refer to the head or between the shoulder blades
Cervical disc bulge/herniation (radiculopathy)
neck pain with arm symptoms: numbness, tingling, electric pain, or weakness
often worse with certain positions, sometimes eased by others
Cervicogenic headache
pain starting in the neck and referring to the head, behind the eyes or ears
Whiplash-associated disorder
after collisions or sports tackles
stiffness, headaches, dizziness, concentration and fatigue issues
Postural syndrome / “tech-neck”
forward-head posture from screens and long sitting
aching, burning, or pressure in the neck and upper back
TMJ (jaw) dysfunction & occlusion issues
clenching and grinding change muscle tone at the skull base
can trigger neck pain and cervicogenic headache
Shoulder/scapular dysfunction
poor shoulder blade control and tight chest muscles
extra load transferred into the neck with everyday tasks
Upper-thoracic stiffness
tight mid-back joints referring pain between the shoulder blades
neck compensates for lack of mobility below
Cervicogenic dizziness (neck-related)
sense of unsteadiness or “off-balance” linked to neck movement/tension
only considered after serious causes are ruled out
Cervical spondylosis/osteoarthritis
age-related wear and tear
stiffness, particularly in the morning or after inactivity
Spinal stenosis / myelopathy (less common)
crowding of the cord or nerve roots
may cause clumsiness, gait changes, or widespread neurological signs; needs careful assessment and often medical referral
Inflammatory conditions
e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis
neck pain with stiffness, flares, and other joint or systemic symptoms
Joint hypermobility
“too much motion” leads to muscle guarding and recurrent aches
often needs a stability-focused, not “more stretching,” approach