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Neck pain and stiffness are very common, especially with desk work and phone use. We find out what’s behind your pain and help you move more comfortably, with hands-on treatment and exercises.
Most neck pain comes from the muscles, joints and ligaments of the neck, often because of posture, a long day at a desk, sleeping awkwardly or stress. It usually improves within a few weeks.
Wear in the joints and discs of the neck (sometimes called cervical spondylosis) is common with age. It doesn’t always cause pain, but it can contribute to stiffness and, occasionally, to pain spreading into the arm.
Symptoms
Symptoms of neck pain
Stiffness
Difficulty turning or tilting your head, often worse in the morning.
Aching
An ache in the neck and across the shoulders.
Headaches
Headaches that start at the back of the head or neck.
Arm symptoms
Pain, pins and needles or numbness spreading into the arm, if a nerve is irritated.
Neck pain after a fall or accident, or with weakness, clumsiness or numbness in both arms or the legs, needs urgent medical advice.
Treatment options
Treatment for neck pain
Chiropractic
First appointment £70, follow-ups £50
Gentle mobilisation, manipulation where suitable and soft tissue work, with exercises and advice.
Exercises and desk advice to help prevent flare-ups
No GP referral needed
How it works
Your four-step journey
01
Get in touch
Book online or call us. Many of our consultations are free.
02
Assessment
We listen to your history, examine you and, where it helps, scan the area with ultrasound.
03
Your plan
We explain what we think is going on and your options, with costs, so you can decide.
04
Treatment and review
We start treatment if it’s right for you, and check your progress as you go.
The research
What does the evidence say?
A Cochrane review found low to moderate quality evidence that manipulation and mobilisation can give short-term relief for neck pain, with results similar to other active treatments [1]. Exercise is also important, so we combine hands-on treatment with exercises you can do at home.
When to get urgent help
Don’t wait with these
Call 999 if neck pain comes with sudden weakness, numbness or drooping of the face, difficulty speaking, or a sudden severe headache. Seek urgent medical advice for neck pain after an accident or fall, with a fever and a stiff neck, or with weakness or numbness in the arms or legs.
Your clinicians
Meet our chiropractors
Gary Edwards
Injection Therapist and Chiropractor, Clinic Director
GCC 03996
Orit Edwards
Chiropractor
GCC 04042
Jean-Luc Lafitte
Chiropractor
GCC 00771
Registered and regulated
Google reviews
What our patients say
5.0from 150 Google reviews
Back and neck★★★★★
Both my wife and I have been seeing Gary Edwards… initially for acute flares of back/neck problems and now for maintenance treatment. He is extremely professional and thorough… giving us a full half hour on each visit.
Haydn B. · 2018 · Google review
Lower back pain★★★★★
I went to see Gary as I was having some lower back issues. He was very friendly and knowledgeable, explaining what the likely causes were… and he followed it up with some helpful exercises to prevent future issues, as well as practical advice.
Matt and Alice K. · 2024 · Google review
Chiropractic★★★★★
I recommend Jean Luc to everyone I meet. He adopts a holistic, whole person approach… and offers great advice for continuing the work at home. The clinic is beautiful and centrally located.
Lauren T. · 2025 · Google review
Chiropractic★★★★★
Professional, friendly and most importantly effective. What’s also nice is that I was never forced to rebook or given a ‘minimum number of sessions’ for results. It’s straightforward. Book again if it helps and you need additional support.
John C. · 2024 · Google review
Sacroiliac pain★★★★★
After the first appointment with Gary I noticed a marked improvement, and it has continued to improve with subsequent treatments. Gary’s advice on precipitating factors has been really useful and the remedial exercises he suggested are also very effective.
Paul H. · 2017 · Google review
Headaches★★★★★
I went for a consultation with Jean Luc who suggested my migraines could be caused by a problem with my neck. After several treatments to my neck, back and jaw, my headaches began to improve and become less frequent… Jean Luc is very knowledgeable and kind.
Serious complications are rare. We ask about your health at your first appointment, and use gentler techniques where they’re more suitable. You can always ask us not to manipulate your neck.
Will exercise help?
Yes, for most people. Regular neck and shoulder exercises are an important part of recovery and help prevent pain coming back.
Do I need an X-ray or scan?
Usually not. We’ll suggest further tests if your symptoms or examination point to something that needs investigating.
Got another question?Ask us at your consultation. You don’t have to go ahead.
ClinicVale Health Clinic, 31–33 Vale Road, Tunbridge Wells TN1 1BS
References
Gross A, Langevin P, Burnie SJ, et al. Manipulation and mobilisation for neck pain contrasted against an inactive control or another active treatment. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2015;(9):CD004249. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD004249.pub4
Written by Orit Edwards, Chiropractor (GCC 04042). Last updated 15 October 2026.
