The cervical spine has seven vertebrae, eight nerve roots, and is responsible for both supporting a 10-12 pound head and allowing the most range of motion of any spinal region. It's also where modern life does the most damage — phones, laptops, desks, driving, sleeping wrong. Neck pain is one of the most common reasons people come to see Dr. Ngo, and one of the most consistently treatable.
Common causes
Postural strain — the most common cause now. 'Tech neck' from constant phone use, forward head posture from desk work, sleeping wrong. Causes muscle tension, joint dysfunction, and eventually structural changes.
Cervical disc problems — herniations, bulges, or degeneration. Often involve arm pain, numbness, or tingling.
Whiplash and post-trauma neck pain — see our whiplash page for detail.
Cervical facet syndrome — irritation of the small joints at the back of the neck. Pain is often worse with extension or rotation.
Cervicogenic headaches — pain that originates in the neck but is felt as a headache.
Stress and tension — emotional stress lives in the neck and shoulders. Real cause, real pain.
How Dr. Ngo treats neck pain
Evaluation first. History, physical exam, range of motion in all directions, palpation of cervical and upper thoracic segments, neurological screening if any concerning symptoms.
Treatment combines chiropractic adjustments to restore segmental mobility, soft tissue work on the deep neck flexors and upper trapezius, postural correction, and specific exercises to retrain proper movement patterns.
For disc-related cases we add cervical decompression and use gentler adjustment techniques. For chronic cases we work on the long-term postural and ergonomic issues that cause re-injury.
Most patients with mechanical neck pain feel significant improvement within 2-4 visits. More complex cases take longer.
Why your neck keeps coming back
If you've been to a chiropractor before, gotten relief, then had it return weeks or months later — the underlying cause probably wasn't addressed. Adjustments alone don't fix postural problems. They feel great in the moment, but if you go right back to slouching at your laptop for 8 hours, you'll be back where you started.
Real fix means changing the inputs: ergonomic adjustments, exercise habits, sleep position, stress management. We work on all of these as part of treatment, not just adjustments.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my neck crack when I move it?
Joint sounds (called crepitus) usually aren't dangerous on their own. They can come from joint surfaces moving past each other, from gas bubbles in joint fluid, or from soft tissue moving over bone. If the cracking is associated with pain, that's worth investigating. If it's just sound without pain, it's usually fine.
Should I see a chiropractor for my headaches?
If your headaches start in the neck or base of the skull, or come with neck stiffness, the answer is often yes — these are typically cervicogenic headaches that respond well to chiropractic care. Migraines and tension headaches can also improve with cervical treatment, though they have other components too. We'll evaluate which type you have.
Is it safe to crack my own neck?
It's not ideal. Self-cracking usually moves the segments that already move well and leaves the stuck segments alone. Real adjustments are specific. If you find yourself constantly needing to crack your neck, that's a sign the underlying joint dysfunction needs proper attention.
How can I prevent neck pain at my desk?
Top of monitor at eye level. Keyboard low enough that your shoulders relax. Phone at eye level when texting (don't bend your neck down to it). Get up every 30-45 minutes. Sleep with one pillow that supports your neck in neutral, not two pillows that crank your head forward.
Will adjustments really help?
For mechanical neck pain, yes — and there's solid research supporting it. The key is matching technique to the patient. Dr. Ngo doesn't use the same adjustment for every patient. Acute injuries get gentler approaches. Chronic stiffness gets more direct work. Disc patients get specific protocols. The technique should match what's wrong.