The Real Reason Your Neck Hurts

If you’re dealing with neck pain that won’t go away — even after massage, stretching, or adjustments — you’re not alone. Neck tension is one of the most common complaints we see at Westminster Sports Chiropractic. But most treatment approaches miss what’s actually driving it.

What Causes Neck Pain? It’s Not What You Think

Most people assume neck pain is a local problem — maybe a tight muscle, a pinched nerve, or a joint that needs to be adjusted. But in the majority of cases, chronic neck tension is a downstream symptom of something else not doing its job.

Here’s what we actually see:

• Poor shoulder blade control, which shifts load upward into the neck

• Stiff upper thoracic spine, forcing the cervical spine to compensate

• Overactive upper traps and levator scapulae, constantly “on” just to hold you upright

• Underused deep neck flexors, which should be doing the stabilizing work

The result? Your neck becomes the default stabilizer. It works overtime. It stays tight. Eventually, it hurts — and it doesn’t let up.

Why Neck Pain Keeps Coming Back

You’ve probably already tried some combination of:

• Stretching

• Massage

• Chiropractic adjustments

• Foam rolling

• Posture cues

And while some of those might bring short-term relief, the pain always returns.

That’s because you’re only treating the symptom, not the system.

When the neck is constantly overworking — and the mid-back, core, and shoulders aren’t doing their part — the tension always comes back. Until you fix the root pattern, you’re stuck managing symptoms instead of resolving them.

Common Neck Pain Patterns We See in the Clinic

1. Desk posture with forward head carriage
Leads to overuse of cervical extensors and upper traps. The deep neck flexors shut down. Tension builds in the suboccipitals and levator scapulae.

2. Old shoulder injury
You never fully regained scapular control. Now your neck is handling what your shoulder should — especially during lifting, overhead work, or even sleep positioning.

3. Thoracic stiffness
The area between your shoulder blades is locked up, so your neck moves too much. This can lead to joint irritation, muscular overuse, or nerve irritation.

4. Chronic stress + poor breathing mechanics
Elevated stress = elevated shoulders. If you’re stuck in shallow chest breathing all day, your traps and scalenes stay active — and never get to shut off.

How We Treat Neck Pain at Westminster Sports Chiropractic

We don’t just crack your neck and send you on your way. We take the time to evaluate what’s really driving the tension— and why it’s not resolving on its own.

Your treatment plan might include:

• Soft tissue work (manual therapy, dry needling) to calm reactive muscles

• Spinal and rib adjustments to improve motion where it's restricted

• Postural retraining and DNS-inspired rehab to offload the neck

• Movement re-education to rebuild coordination between the neck, shoulder blades, and mid-back

We’ll show you where the tension is coming from — and what you need to change to keep it from coming back.

When to See a Sports Chiropractor for Neck Pain

If your neck pain:

• Gets worse with sitting or desk work

• Feels tight or “locked up” every morning

• Comes back after massage or adjustments

• Travels into the shoulder or upper back

• Limits your training, sleep, or focus

It’s time for a more thorough evaluation.

We specialize in treating active adults, athletes, and people who want more than short-term fixes. Whether your neck pain is brand new or years in the making, we’ll help you figure it out — and fix it for good.