5 Causes of Neck Pain

Written by: James Gill BOst GOsC 6039. Registered Osteopath, Founder & Clinic Director

Medically Reviewed: Yannick Gracia, M.Ost GOsC 10475. Registered Lead Osteopath

Clinical Update: While standard stretching manages mild stiffness, chronic neck pain often involves deep-tissue “adhesions” or trigger points within the trapezius. At bodytonic clinic, we lead with quantifiable results: our Focused Shockwave protocol reaches depths of 12cm to physically release chronic “knots” where manual therapy alone cannot reach. Please note: While major insurers (Bupa/AXA/Aviva) cover Radial Shockwave, Focused Shockwave is currently a self-pay premium treatment.

What Exactly is Neck Pain?

Neck pain can strike at any time and can cause great discomfort when it does. This is because the neck is home to a cluster of muscles and nerves which, if strained or put under pressure, can cause significant pain in other areas of the body, including the head, the back, and even the legs.

There are several different muscles in the neck, as well as soft tissues and ligaments which, if they become strained, can cause significant pain. The two most significant include:

The trapezius: This muscle runs from the base of the skull, across the shoulders, and halfway down the back. It’s helpful to think of the trapezius muscle as being shaped like a kite. It helps to facilitate muscle movements such as head tilts and looking up/down, so if it’s strained in any way, chances are you will feel it!
Levator scapulae: This muscle travels up and down the side of the neck, from the top of the cervical spine and down to the shoulder blade (scapula). Again, if this muscle becomes strained for any reason, it can significantly restrict neck and head movement and/or make it painful.

One of the most common reasons why neck pain develops relates to the tendons and ligaments in the neck. If these fibrous tissues become sprained or torn, pain and inflammation follow. Most avoidable neck aches occur when these muscles and ligaments become overly strained due to postural habits.

Meet Your Neck & Posture Specialist Team

Because neck pain is often linked to both spinal alignment and muscular imbalances, we provide access to a multidisciplinary team of registered experts across our Southwark, Canada Water, and Stratford clinics.

If your neck stiffness is accompanied by widespread muscle pain and fatigue, you may be experiencing symptoms of Fibromyalgia. Explore our multi-disciplinary approach to FMS.

Our Registered Osteopathy Team

Our Osteopathy team focuses on the structural integrity of the body to promote overall health. Recognised as Allied Health Professionals (AHPs), our osteopaths are statutorily regulated by the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC). Using a systems-based approach, they look beyond the symptoms to address the root causes of spinal pain.

Ana Freitas is a Registered Osteopath London SE16 E20 E15 E14

Ana Freitas M.Ost

Georgie Mabbs Osteopath London Bodytonic Clinic SE16 E15 E14 SE8 E1W

Georgie Mabbs M.Ost, BSc

Courtney Innis Osteopath London bodytonic clinic London SE16 E15 E20 Featured Image

Mr Courtney Innis BSc (Hons) Ost

Andrew O'Neill, registered osteopath at Bodytonic Clinic, London

Mr Andrew O’Neill M.Ost

Yvan Loneux Registered Osteopath London SE16 E20 E15 E14 SE1 SE8 SE10

Yvan Loneux M.Ost ND

To view our full multidisciplinary team across all locations, click here.

Our Registered Physiotherapy Team

Our Physiotherapy team are experts in restoring movement and function. As HCPC-registered professionals, they work across the major systems of the body to provide evidence-based rehabilitation and preventative care, combining manual therapy with corrective exercise.Note: This section shows a selection of our specialists.

Mishika Chopra Featured Image bodytonic clinic SE16 London E15 E14

Mishika Chopra MSc BPT

Ele Bray MSK Physiotherapist at bodytonic clinic London Canada Water SE16 Stratford E15

Ele Bray MSc, BSc

Noah Longley physiotherapist london Canada Water SE16 Stratford E15 E20 Olympic Village

Noah Longley MSc BSc

Natalia Villegas Physiotherapist bodytonic clinic SE16 Stratford Canada Water London E15

Ms Natalia Villegas MSc BSc

Shibin Vinod Physiotherapist Shockwave Ultra-sound London - bodytonic clinic SE16 E15 E14 E20

Shibin Vinod BPT, MSc

To view our full multidisciplinary team across all locations, click here.

Our Registered Chiropractic Team

Our Chiropractic team are primary healthcare professionals. This means they are trained to carry out a full clinical diagnostic assessment to ensure that Chiropractic care is the safe and appropriate path for your specific injury. Every practitioner is regulated by the General Chiropractic Council (GCC).

Ryan Mullings Bodytonic Clinic Chiropractor London Canada Water SE16 E14 E15 E20.png

Mr Ryan Mullings MChiro

Lauren Egginton - Chiropractor at Bodytonic Clinic | Specialising in Pregnancy & Pediatric Care

Lauren Egginton MChiro

To view our full multidisciplinary team across all locations, click here.

Book with Health Insurance

We are recognised by Bupa, AXA, Aviva and Vitality for Neck Pain and Posture treatment. Please note that these Health Insurance currently provide authorisation for Radial Shockwave only:

Aviva Insurance (Radial Shockwave)
AXA Insurance (Radial Shockwave)
Bupa Insurance (Radial Shockwave)
HEALIX Insurance (Radial Shockwave)
Vitality Insurance (Radial Shockwave)

Focused Shockwave is available as a premium clinical upgrade for insurance patients. Please provide your authorisation details once you have registered.

Three Frequent Causes of Neck Pain

Our infographic below illustrates ways that neck pain can occur, though these are the three most frequent causes we encounter:

Incorrect Posture: This can be a result of an old/unsupportive mattress or pillow, or a badly arranged chair or computer monitor if you’re working.
“Text Neck”: An increasingly common problem for phone and tablet users. Spending time looking down puts extra strain on the muscles of the neck.
Sleeping Position: Sleeping on your front can inadvertently lead to neck-ache, as it means your neck is often twisted to the side in an uncomfortable position.

Pregnancy Note: Most pregnant women gain between 10kg and 12.5kg, putting on most of the weight after week 20. The spine has to support this extra weight, which can cause compensatory neck and upper back pain.

Clinical Breakdown: 5 Primary Lifestyle Causes of Neck Strain

How Osteopathy, Physiotherapy, Chiropractic and Shockwave Help

A course of Osteopathy, Physiotherapy or Chiropractic, or a specialised Cranial osteopathy, can help to pinpoint the source of an ache and relieve tension and stiffness accordingly. Our team works to relieve neck pain by:

Applying direct pressure and neurovascular stimulation of muscles.
Improving blood supply to an area of tension.
Treating the whole musculoskeletal system, ensuring the neck, spine, and core are working in harmony.
Providing bespoke advice on stretches and exercises to prevent injury from recurring.

For chronic Neck Pain or stiffness that remains persistent, we combine manual therapy with advanced technology. We utilise the versatility of Radial Shockwave (ESWT) to release broad tension in the trapezius, and the precision of Focused Shockwave (FSWT) to target deep, chronic knots and underlying joint inflammation.

Because neck alignment intimately impacts the jaw, our treatment pathways seamlessly integrate specialised care like TMJ jaw pain treatment to ensure full structural recovery.