Your Neck Carries More Than You Think

Your head weighs 10 to 12 pounds. In a neutral position, your neck handles that load without complaint. But tilt forward 30 degrees to check your phone, and that load jumps to 40 pounds. At 60 degrees, you're asking your neck to support 60 pounds for hours at a time. Add a demanding job, a training regimen, and the stress that comes with both, and you start to understand why neck pain affects nearly half of all adults each year. (Upper Cervical LA, 2024)

The good news: most neck pain responds to the right combination of hands-on treatment and targeted strengthening. Understanding what's generating your pain is the first step toward getting back to overhead pressing, playing tennis at Cooper Tennis Complex, or simply driving to work without constant discomfort.

What brings active people to our Springfield clinic:

  • The desk-to-gym collision eight hours of screen time followed by overhead presses, pull-ups, or HIIT classes
  • Overhead athletes swimmers, volleyball players, tennis servers, and CrossFit competitors loading a fatigued cervical spine
  • Contact sports football, wrestling, and rugby athletes dealing with stingers, whiplash, or accumulated trauma
  • The stress response unconscious muscle guarding that compounds mechanical strain

The physics of posture: At 15 degrees of forward head tilt, your neck supports 27 pounds. At 45 degrees, 49 pounds. At 60 degrees, 60 pounds. This exponential increase explains why "Tech Neck" has become epidemic in active adults who train hard but sit poorly. (Columna, 2024)

Pinpointing the Source of Your Neck Pain

Text Neck / Postural Syndrome

Hours of forward head posture create a predictable pattern: the deep neck stabilizers shut down, the upper traps and levator scapulae take over, and the posterior ligaments slowly stretch. This "Upper Crossed Syndrome" leaves you with tight pecs, weak deep flexors, and a cervical spine that's working far harder than it should. The result is that dull, aching tension across the base of your skull and into your shoulders.

Feels like Dull ache at the base of the skull and upper shoulders; tension headaches; general stiffness
Worse with Prolonged sitting, computer work, looking down at phone, driving
Better with Movement, lying down, changing positions frequently
Key insight This isn't just tightness. The deep cervical flexors (longus colli/capitis) become inhibited, and retraining them with targeted exercises like chin tucks is essential for lasting relief.
Common in: Desk workers, students, anyone spending significant time on devices. Frequently seen in Springfield-area professionals who train after work without addressing the postural load they've accumulated.

Myofascial Pain and Trigger Points

Think of a healthy muscle like a rubber band that stretches and recoils smoothly. A trigger point is like a knot tied in that band. The knot itself is tight and immobile, but it also creates tension that pulls on both ends. These "knots" are actually clusters of muscle fibers stuck in continuous contraction, compressing blood vessels and sensitizing pain receptors. The upper trapezius and levator scapulae are the most common sites.

Feels like Focal, tender spots; "stiff neck" where you can't turn your head; may refer pain to the head or shoulder
Worse with Stress, cold exposure, sustained postures, sleeping in awkward positions
Better with Heat, massage, movement, pressure release
Key insight Stress is a major driver. The "fight or flight" response causes unconscious muscle guarding that feeds trigger point activity. Many patients don't realize they're clenching until the pain arrives.
The stress connection: Mental stress manifests physically in the neck. High-pressure jobs combined with demanding training creates a perfect storm for trigger point development.

Cervical Facet Syndrome

The facet joints are the small paired joints at the back of each vertebra that guide spinal motion. Think of them like door hinges. When healthy, they're well-lubricated and move smoothly. With wear, inflammation, or injury, they become "rusty hinges" that grind, catch, and ache. Looking up or rotating forcefully compresses these joints, which is why overhead work and checking blind spots often reproduce the pain. (UCHealth, 2024)

Feels like Deep ache on one side of the neck; sharp "catch" with certain movements; may refer to the shoulder blade
Worse with Looking up (extension), rotating toward the painful side, overhead pressing, back squats
Better with Looking down (flexion), rest, heat, gentle movement after warming up
Key insight Morning stiffness that improves with movement is the hallmark. "Motion is lotion" for these joints. Staying still makes them worse.
For lifters: Overhead press, back squats, and any movement requiring cervical extension may aggravate facet joints. Front squats or safety bar squats often allow continued training while the joint calms down.

Cervical Radiculopathy (Pinched Nerve)

When a nerve root gets compressed as it exits the spine, pain travels. Unlike local muscle ache, radiculopathy produces sharp, electric, shooting sensations that follow a specific path down the arm and into the fingers. A disc herniation can push on the nerve, or bone spurs from arthritis can narrow the tunnel where the nerve exits. Either way, the pain pattern tells us exactly which nerve level is involved. (PMC, 2012)

Feels like Sharp, electric, burning pain shooting down the arm; numbness or tingling in specific fingers
Worse with Looking down (disc herniation) or looking up (foraminal stenosis); coughing, sneezing
Better with Placing hand on top of head (Bakody's Sign); changing positions; lying down
Key insight If resting your hand on top of your head relieves arm symptoms, that's a strong indicator of nerve root compression. The position takes tension off the nerve.
Nerve patterns: C6 radiculopathy affects the thumb and index finger. C7 affects the middle finger. C8 affects the ring and pinky. The location of your symptoms helps identify the level.

Burners and Stingers (Youth Athletes)

The most common cervical injury in contact sports. A stinger occurs when the brachial plexus (the nerve network supplying the arm) gets stretched or compressed during a tackle, check, or awkward fall. It's essentially hitting your "funny bone" at the shoulder/neck level. The result is a sudden burning, stinging, or electric shock sensation shooting down the entire arm. (AAOS, 2024)

Feels like Sudden burning, stinging, electric shock shooting down the arm; brief weakness or numbness
Worse with Head forced sideways while shoulder is depressed; direct impact; repeated episodes
Better with Seconds to minutes of rest (Grade I); full resolution is required before return to play
Key insight Symptoms should resolve completely within minutes for a Grade I injury. Persistent weakness, numbness, or symptoms in both arms requires immediate evaluation.
For parents: A single stinger that resolves quickly is common. Repeated stingers or prolonged symptoms indicate the need for cervical spine evaluation before return to play. We see this frequently in football, wrestling, and rugby athletes throughout Springfield, Nixa, and Republic.

Cervical Spondylosis (Degenerative Changes)

As discs lose hydration and height over time, the body responds by laying down extra bone to stabilize the segments. These bone spurs (osteophytes), combined with facet joint arthritis, comprise cervical spondylosis. It's not a disease; it's a process. And it doesn't dictate your function. Many people with significant spondylosis on imaging have minimal symptoms, while others with mild changes have substantial pain.

Feels like General stiffness, grinding sensation (crepitus), low-grade ache, tension headaches
Worse with Morning (stiffness), prolonged static positions, weather changes, inactivity
Better with Warming up, gentle movement, heat, staying active
Key insight If your neck is stiffest in the morning but loosens up after 30-60 minutes of movement, that pattern points to arthritic changes. Motion keeps these joints healthy.
The goal: You can't reverse spondylosis, but you can maintain function, reduce symptoms, and continue training. Strength and mobility work are the foundation.

Match Your Symptoms to the Condition

Feature Postural/Text Neck Trigger Points Facet Syndrome Pinched Nerve Stinger
Pain location Base of skull, upper traps Focal tender spots One side, deep Neck into arm/fingers Shoulder to hand
Pain quality Dull, aching, tension Tight, knotted, focal Deep ache, sharp catch Electric, shooting, burning Burning, stinging, shock
Worst trigger Prolonged sitting/screens Stress, cold, sleep position Looking up, rotating Varies by level Impact, stretch
Arm symptoms Rarely Can refer to shoulder Rarely past elbow Yes, to specific fingers Yes, entire arm (transient)
Typical population Desk workers, all ages High-stress individuals Adults 35+ Adults 30-50 Contact sport athletes

How We Evaluate Neck Pain at 417 Performance

Beyond the Obvious

Neck pain is rarely just about the neck. A stiff thoracic spine forces the cervical segments to compensate. Weak scapular stabilizers transfer load upward. Poor breathing mechanics create chronic tension in the accessory muscles. We evaluate the entire system to find the true driver, whether you're a weekend golfer from Nixa, a high school football player from Ozark, or a desk worker logging miles at a local CrossFit box after hours:

  • Movement differentiation testing active vs. passive range of motion to distinguish muscle from joint involvement
  • Neurological screening including dermatome testing and provocative maneuvers to identify nerve compression
  • Thoracic and shoulder assessment because restrictions below often drive compensation above
  • Postural and ergonomic review addressing the daily patterns that created the problem

Treatment Philosophy

We combine spinal manipulation with soft tissue work and progressive strengthening. The adjustment restores motion and provides neurological input that overrides pain signals. The soft tissue work addresses trigger points and fascial restrictions. The strengthening builds the capacity to maintain those gains. That's what gets you back to overhead pressing, playing pickleball at Meador Park, or simply driving without constant discomfort. Learn more about our three-phase approach.

Targeted Treatments for Neck Recovery

Your progressive exercise program builds lasting capacity. At our Springfield clinic, we use these targeted treatments to accelerate your return to full function:

Dry Needling

Dry needling releases trigger points in the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, and suboccipital muscles that drive tension headaches and limit rotation. By resetting the contracted tissue, we restore normal tone and reduce referred pain patterns.

Graston Technique

Instrument-assisted soft tissue work addresses fascial restrictions in the posterior cervical muscles and thoracic spine that contribute to forward head posture and limited mobility.

Nerve Flossing

For cervical radiculopathy, specific neural mobilization techniques restore the nerve's ability to glide through its pathway, reducing compression symptoms without aggressive stretching that could worsen irritation.

Common Questions About Neck Pain

Yes. The risk of serious complications from cervical manipulation is estimated at 1 in 1 million to 1 in 5.85 million adjustments. To put that in perspective, this is significantly lower than the risk of serious bleeding from long-term ibuprofen use.

A landmark study found that patients were just as likely to visit a primary care physician as a chiropractor before a stroke event, suggesting that people experiencing early stroke symptoms (neck pain, headache) seek care from any provider. We screen for red flags before any treatment and modify techniques when appropriate.

Usually yes, with modifications based on your specific condition.

Facet syndrome: Avoid extension-loading lifts (overhead press, back squats) initially. Front squats and neutral-grip pressing are often tolerated.

Disc issues: Avoid heavy flexion-loading (deadlifts, rows) until symptoms stabilize. Trap bar deadlifts may be a bridge option.

Timing note: Avoid maximal loading for 24 hours after a cervical adjustment. The adjustment creates temporary ligamentous laxity while the nervous system adapts. Light to moderate training is fine; save the PRs for another day.

Muscle knot: Pain stays local or refers to a broad area like the shoulder. Moving your own neck hurts, but if someone else moves it for you while you relax, it often hurts less.

Pinched nerve: Pain travels in a specific band down the arm, often with numbness or tingling in certain fingers. It feels electric, not achy. A key test: if placing your hand on top of your head relieves arm symptoms, that strongly suggests nerve root compression.

During sleep, you're immobile for hours. Inflammatory byproducts settle in the joints, and tissues cool and stiffen. If your neck loosens up after 30-60 minutes of movement, that pattern points to facet joint involvement or early arthritis.

"Motion is lotion" for these joints. The movement stimulates synovial fluid production and circulation, lubricating the joint surfaces. Sleep position matters too: stomach sleeping forces sustained rotation, back sleeping with proper pillow support is ideal, and side sleeping requires enough pillow height to keep the neck neutral.

A Grade I stinger (symptoms resolve within seconds to minutes) can often return to play the same day once symptoms have completely cleared and strength and range of motion are symmetrical.

However, any of these require formal evaluation before return: symptoms lasting more than a few minutes, weakness that persists, symptoms in both arms, or repeated stingers in the same season. Returning while symptomatic increases the risk of recurrence and can lead to chronic brachial plexus problems. Neck strengthening programs can reduce future risk.

When to Seek Immediate Care

Most neck pain is mechanical and responds to conservative treatment. However, some presentations require urgent evaluation:

  • Weakness in both arms or legs (possible spinal cord compression)
  • Loss of bladder or bowel control
  • Sudden, severe "worst headache of your life" with neck stiffness
  • Fever combined with stiff neck (possible meningitis)
  • Progressive weakness or symptoms spreading after trauma

You Don't Have to "Just Live With It."

Ignoring that nagging ache won't make it go away, but the right guidance will.

Tell us your story, and let’s see if we are the right fit to help you finally find relief. 

Chat with Our Team

Learn More from the 417 Performance Team

Why Chiropractic Care Is an Effective Treatment for Elbow Pain in Springfield, MO

Why Chiropractic Care Is an Effective Treatment for Elbow Pain in Springfield, MO

Dec 16, 2025
Why Your MRI Might Be Lying: The Hidden Drivers of Chronic Pain

Why Your MRI Might Be Lying: The Hidden Drivers of Chronic Pain

Dec 10, 2025
Stop Elbow Pain: How to Beat Pickleball Elbow and Keep Your Game Strong

Stop Elbow Pain: How to Beat Pickleball Elbow and Keep Your Game Strong

Aug 10, 2025