Neck pain can be one of those stubborn aches that seems to linger — whether it’s from long hours at the desk, stress, or waking up on the wrong pillow. At Bend + Mend, we know how frustrating it can be when your neck feels tight, sore, or hard to move. That’s why our Physiotherapists focus on one thing first — relieving your pain through skilled, hands-on manual therapy.
Depending on what’s causing your discomfort, your Physio may use techniques such as:
- Joint mobilisations to restore smooth movement in the cervical spine
- Soft tissue therapy to release tight muscles and ligaments
- Dry needling to target stubborn muscle tension
- Posture correction and muscle stretching to reduce strain
- Deep neck flexor retraining and dynamic neural exercises to support long-term recovery
These techniques work together to ease pain, improve movement, and prevent flare-ups, helping you get back to the things you enjoy faster.
How Common Is Neck Pain?
If you’ve been struggling with neck pain, you’re definitely not alone. A recent review found that neck pain ranks fourth globally for overall disability — and that 70% of people will experience it at some point in their lives. It’s slightly more common in women and tends to increase with age, but thankfully, only around 2% of cases involve serious issues.
In other words, most neck pain is treatable — and often responds really well to the right combination of manual therapy and movement.
What Actually Counts as Neck Pain?
According to Verhagen (2020), neck pain is defined as “pain in the neck with or without pain referred into one or both upper limbs that lasts for at least one day.” It might sound simple, but this definition comes from over 300 different studies — showing just how complex neck pain can be.
Clinically, Physiotherapists group neck pain into four categories based on the presence of nerve symptoms or serious pathology. The good news? The more serious categories are the least common.
Who’s Most at Risk?
While there’s still a lot more to learn about neck pain, research has identified a few common risk factors. You may be more likely to experience it if you’ve had:
- A trauma such as a car accident, fall, or sports collision
- High work stress, low job satisfaction, or poor workplace support
- Low mood or depression
- Smoking habits
Interestingly, having degenerative discs doesn’t automatically mean you’ll have neck pain — so scans alone don’t tell the full story.
What to Expect at Your Physiotherapy Appointment
Every Bend + Mend consultation starts with a conversation. Your Physio will listen to your story — how your neck pain started, what makes it worse, and how it’s affecting your day-to-day life. This helps us identify what’s driving your pain and tailor treatment specifically to you.
Your session may include:
- A safety screen for serious conditions
- Movement and posture assessments
- Muscle, reflex, and nerve testing
- And if needed, a referral for imaging
The Three Pillars of Neck Pain Treatment
At Bend + Mend, our treatment approach blends education, exercise, and manual therapy — but it’s often the hands-on work that brings the most immediate relief.
Manual therapy is the part most people love. It involves targeted techniques like gentle joint mobilisations, massage, and manipulation that help reduce stiffness, calm tight muscles, and restore normal movement. Many patients notice relief even after their first session.
Education helps you understand what’s happening in your neck, what to expect during recovery, and how to prevent pain from returning.
Exercise supports your long-term results — from simple posture stretches to progressive strengthening that keeps your neck stable and strong.
If neck pain is slowing you down, don’t put up with it any longer. Our experienced Physiotherapists at Bend + Mend in Sydney’s CBD are here to help relieve your pain and get you moving freely again.
Book an appointment today — and feel the difference that skilled manual therapy can make.
