Neck Pain Treatment That Focuses on the Root Cause

Neck pain can affect far more than just your neck. Stiffness, headaches, shoulder tension, arm pain, and even numbness or tingling can all stem from problems in the cervical spine. At Eastside Ideal Health, we focus on understanding why your neck pain is happening—so we can help you move comfortably and confidently again.

Get a Personalized Neck Pain Assessment Call Our Redmond Office
Neck pain treatment

Root-Cause Evaluation

Find what's driving your pain, not just where it hurts.

Movement + Rehab Approach

Restore mobility, strength, and confidence—step by step.

Designed for Active Lives

Built for desk workers, athletes, parents, and everyone in between.

Meet Your Care Team

Dr. Ben Greenwade

Dr. Ben Greenwade, DC

"Most neck pain isn't one simple issue. It's usually a mix of movement restrictions, irritated tissues, and daily habits that keep re-aggravating things. Our job is to find your pattern and build a plan that actually holds."

What we check first:

  • Neck + upper back mobility
  • Posture endurance (not just posture)
  • Shoulder and scapular control
  • Nerve irritation signs
  • Sleep + workstation contributors

Neck pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints, especially in people who spend time sitting, working at a computer, driving, or training physically. For some, it's a dull ache or stiffness. For others, it travels into the shoulder, arm, or hand, or comes with headaches or reduced range of motion.

The most important thing to understand is this: neck pain doesn't look the same for everyone—and effective treatment depends on identifying your specific pattern.

Understand Your Neck Pain Pattern

Answer a few quick questions to better understand what may be contributing to your neck pain. This is not a diagnosis—just guidance to help you decide what next steps make sense.

Step 1 of 5

1. Where do you feel your symptoms most?

Common Neck Pain Patterns

Local Neck Pain & Stiffness

Often related to joint restriction, muscle tension, posture strain, or limited movement variety.

What it often feels like: Dull ache, stiffness, limited range of motion.

Why it can happen: Prolonged static positions, poor ergonomics, muscle imbalances.

What we check in an evaluation: Cervical range of motion, joint mobility, muscle tension patterns, postural endurance.

Neck Pain With Shoulder or Arm Symptoms

May involve nerve irritation or referral from the cervical spine. These patterns often feel sharp, electric, or burning.

What it often feels like: Sharp, electric, or burning pain that travels into the shoulder, arm, or hand.

Why it can happen: Nerve root irritation, disc issues, joint dysfunction referring pain.

What we check in an evaluation: Nerve tension tests, dermatomal patterns, strength and sensation, cervical alignment.

Neck Pain With Headaches

Frequently linked to upper cervical joint restriction, muscle tension, and sustained postures.

What it often feels like: Headaches that start at the base of the skull, tension-type headaches, pain with neck movement.

Why it can happen: Upper cervical joint dysfunction, suboccipital muscle tension, forward-head posture.

What we check in an evaluation: Upper cervical mobility, suboccipital tension, headache triggers, postural factors.

Post-Injury or Whiplash-Related Neck Pain

May involve multiple tissues and often benefits from guided, progressive rehabilitation rather than rest alone.

What it often feels like: Stiffness, pain with movement, muscle guarding, possible headaches or dizziness.

Why it can happen: Trauma to multiple tissues (muscles, ligaments, joints, discs), protective muscle tension.

What we check in an evaluation: Range of motion restrictions, tissue sensitivity, movement quality, protective patterns.

Common Contributors to Neck Pain

Prolonged sitting & screen time

Static positions can overload the neck and upper back.

Forward-head posture

More strain accumulates when the head lives forward of the shoulders.

Poor sleep position or pillow support

Night positioning can keep tissues irritated for hours.

Stress and tension

Guarding and tightness can amplify symptoms.

Training overload or repetitive movement

Even 'healthy' activity can become too much, too fast.

Previous injury

Old injuries can leave movement compensations behind.

Most neck pain is a combination of factors—not one single cause.

How Neck Pain Is Treated Here

Our approach to neck pain focuses on understanding the full picture—how your neck moves, how your nervous system is responding, and how daily habits may be contributing to symptoms.

01

Find the Driver

We identify the movement and tissue factors that are actually feeding your symptoms.

  • Mobility + range of motion checks
  • Posture endurance and control
  • Nerve irritation screening
02

Calm the Irritation

We reduce sensitivity and restore comfortable motion so the neck can start adapting again.

  • Manual therapy as needed
  • Targeted mobility work
  • Symptom modulation strategies
03

Build Resilience

We build strength and capacity so your results hold—at work, in the gym, and in real life.

  • Strength + stability progression
  • Habit and workstation changes
  • Return-to-activity plan

What to Expect & Timeline

Visit 1

Focus: clarity and a plan. We assess your pattern and identify the main drivers.

Early Phase

Focus: reduce irritation and restore motion. You should start noticing meaningful changes.

Build Phase

Focus: strength and resilience. We progress you toward the activities you care about.

Progress is guided by your response—not a preset schedule.

When Neck Pain Should Not Be Ignored

While most neck pain responds well to conservative care, certain symptoms warrant prompt medical evaluation.

Seek prompt medical attention if neck pain is accompanied by:

  • Progressive arm or hand weakness
  • Loss of coordination or balance
  • Fever, unexplained weight loss, or severe night pain
  • Pain following a significant accident or trauma

Get Clarity on Your Neck Pain

If you'd like a personalized evaluation and a plan focused on the root cause of your symptoms, a professional assessment is often the most helpful next step.

What you get:

  • A personalized assessment of your neck pain pattern
  • A clear plan focused on the root cause
  • Next steps you can actually follow
Get a Personalized Neck Pain Assessment Call Our Redmond Office

Frequently Asked Questions

Most neck pain is not serious and responds well to conservative care. However, certain symptoms like progressive weakness, loss of coordination, or pain following significant trauma warrant prompt medical evaluation.

Most neck pain does not require immediate imaging. A thorough clinical evaluation can usually determine the best course of action. Imaging may be recommended if there are red flags or if symptoms persist despite appropriate care.

Yes. Neck pain can refer into the shoulder, arm, or hand due to nerve irritation or joint dysfunction in the cervical spine. This is a common pattern and often responds well to targeted care.

When performed by a qualified provider who performs a thorough evaluation, chiropractic care for the neck is generally safe. We use techniques appropriate to your specific condition and always respect any contraindications or precautions.

This varies widely based on how long you've had symptoms, the underlying cause, and how your body responds. Many people notice improvement within the first few visits, while longer-standing issues may require a more gradual approach.