Neck Pain Treatment at Pontifex Physiotherapy

Helping Sutherland Shire Locals Move Freely, Without Fear

Neck pain is incredibly common—whether it’s a dull ache after a long day at the desk, stiffness when turning your head, or sharp pain that spreads into your shoulder or arm. At Pontifex Physiotherapy, we help uncover what’s really going on so you can move with freedom, sleep better, and get back to doing what you love.

👉 See how we treat patients with high-level care

Common Causes of Neck Pain

Neck pain can arise suddenly or develop gradually over time. It’s rarely caused by just one thing—and often involves a combination of posture, muscle tension, stress, and movement patterns.

Here are some of the most common causes:

1. Poor Posture & Desk Ergonomics

Long hours at a computer, tablet or phone can cause overload on your neck muscles and joints—especially if your setup doesn’t suit your body.

2. Facet Joint Irritation

The small joints at the back of your neck can become stiff or inflamed, particularly with quick movements or prolonged poor posture.

3. Muscle Tightness or Spasm

Tension in the upper traps, levator scapulae or deep neck flexors can create local pain or restrict head movement.

4. Cervical Disc Issues

Disc-related neck pain may cause local discomfort or refer down the arm in more severe cases. This is often due to bulging or herniated discs that put pressure on nearby nerves.

5. Cervical Radiculopathy (“Pinched Nerve”)

This condition occurs when a nerve root in the neck is compressed or irritated—often by a disc herniation or degenerative changes in the spine. It can cause:

Pain that radiates into the shoulder, arm, or even into the hand
Numbness, tingling, or pins and needles
Weakness in the arm or grip
Worsening symptoms with neck movement or prolonged positioning

At Pontifex, we use a combination of nerve mobility techniques, posture correction, spinal unloading, strength work, and graded exposure to movement to help you recover function and reduce nerve irritation safely.

👉 Learn how we help patients with neck and nerve-related conditions

6. Stress & Anxiety

Emotional stress is often held in the neck and shoulders. Increased muscle tension and breathing pattern changes can contribute to pain or restriction.

Other Related Conditions We Treat

Wry Neck / Acute Locking – Often caused by sudden movement or sleeping awkwardly
Cervicogenic Headaches – Headaches originating from neck dysfunction
Whiplash / Car Accident Injuries – Soft tissue trauma following sudden deceleration
Chronic Neck Pain – Longer-term pain often involves central sensitisation, altered movement patterns, or fear of movement

Our Whole-Body Approach to Neck Pain

At Pontifex, we look beyond the neck to find the why. Our assessment may include your:

Shoulder function
Thoracic spine mobility
Breathing mechanics
Desk and lifestyle habits

Your treatment plan will include a combination of:

✅ Hands-on therapy – Soft tissue release, joint mobilisation, dry needling
✅ Postural education & ergonomic advice
✅ Strength and stability exercises – Targeting deep neck flexors, shoulder blade control, and trunk
✅ Breathing retraining & stress management strategies
✅ Progressive rehab for long-term relief

Personalised Neck Rehab – Not Just a Quick Fix

We don’t believe in generic approaches or “cracking” and sending you on your way. Whether your neck pain is new or something you’ve been living with for years, we design a treatment plan that fits your goals, lifestyle and needs.

Our team works with:

Office workers struggling with desk-related strain
Parents and tradies with shoulder/neck tension
People recovering from car accidents
Those experiencing headaches or dizziness from neck-related issues
Patients recovering from cervical disc injuries or nerve-related pain

👉 Meet our experienced physiotherapists who will guide you through your recovery

Is Neck Pain Holding You Back? Let’s Fix That.

You don’t have to live with tightness, restriction or worry about “hurting it again.” At Pontifex Physiotherapy, we’ll help you understand your pain, improve your movement, and feel stronger again.

📅 Book Online Now
📍 Shop 1B, 10-18 Robertson St, Sutherland NSW
📞 02 8515 0326