Neck stiffness • Headaches related to the neck • Whiplash • Neck and arm symptoms
Is neck pain making it hard to shoulder-check, work at a computer or sleep comfortably? Are headaches or shoulder tension interrupting your day? Prana Physiotherapy provides individualized assessment and rehabilitation at our Surrey and New Westminster clinics.
We help you understand what may be contributing to your symptoms and build a plan for better movement, strength and everyday function. Treatment is selected for your findings and goals.
Same-day appointments when available • Evening and weekend options • Free parking • Direct billing available subject to coverage
Does This Describe Your Neck Pain?
- Stiffness or pain when turning your head
- Neck and shoulder tension after computer work or long periods in one position
- Pain between your shoulder blades
- Headaches occurring with neck pain or restricted movement
- Discomfort affecting sleep, driving, lifting or exercise
- Recurring symptoms despite temporary relief
- Pain travelling into an arm, with tingling or numbness
- Neck pain after a car accident, workplace injury or sports incident
These symptoms do not all have the same cause. New or worsening weakness, unusual headaches and significant injuries may need medical care before routine physiotherapy. See the urgent-care guidance below.
What Happens at Your First Neck Assessment
Your physiotherapist asks when symptoms began, whether there was an injury, what triggers them and how they affect daily life. Tell us about headaches, arm symptoms, relevant health conditions, medications and any previous treatment.
Assessment may include neck and upper-back movement, shoulder function, strength and appropriate neurological tests if you have arm symptoms. We also consider your work demands, sleep and activity pattern, and screen for signs requiring medical review.
We explain the findings and agree on a plan with practical goals. Treatment may begin at the first visit when appropriate. You receive guidance on activity and home exercises selected for your needs. We review your response and adjust the plan as you progress.
What to bring: Comfortable clothing, your medication list and relevant imaging reports if available. For an injury claim, bring your claim number and injury date. You do not need to arrange a scan simply to book an assessment.
Common Neck Problems We Assess
Neck Stiffness and Muscle Strain
A sore or stiff neck may follow an awkward night's sleep, unfamiliar activity or repeated demands. Rehabilitation can address movement, strength and tolerance for everyday tasks. The plan depends on the symptoms and assessment, rather than a generic stretch routine.
Desk Work and Phone-Related Neck Pain
Long periods in one position may aggravate symptoms. We can discuss workstation adjustments, movement breaks and exercises to build tolerance. You do not need to hold one rigid position all day; changing position and finding a comfortable setup can be more practical.
Headaches Related to the Neck
Some headaches arise from the neck and are called cervicogenic headaches. Neck movement or sustained positions may reproduce symptoms. However, headaches have many causes, and neck pain can also occur with migraine. Assessment helps determine whether neck rehabilitation is appropriate; physiotherapy is not a treatment for every headache.
Pain Travelling Into the Arm
Irritation of a nerve in the neck can cause arm pain, tingling, numbness or weakness, sometimes called cervical radiculopathy. Similar symptoms can come from other problems. We assess the pattern and recommend medical review when needed, especially for new or progressive weakness.
Whiplash and Injury-Related Neck Pain
A collision, fall or sports incident can cause neck pain and headaches. Once serious injury has been excluded, rehabilitation may focus on comfortable movement and gradually rebuilding activity. Tell us about dizziness, head injury or other new symptoms so we can direct you to appropriate assessment.
Your Neck Recovery Pathway
Step 1
Relieve
Understand your symptoms, adjust aggravating tasks and begin movement at a manageable level. Appropriate hands-on care or other treatments may support symptom management.
Step 2
Restore
Progress neck and upper-back mobility, neck and shoulder strength, and endurance. We select home exercises and review how your symptoms respond.
Step 3
Recover
Build tolerance for your work, exercise and daily tasks. Goals might include easier shoulder-checking, longer comfortable computer work or returning to lifting. If headaches are part of your presentation, tracking their frequency and effect can help assess progress.
These stages may overlap. Recovery depends on the condition, severity, duration and your response to care; a fixed timeline cannot be promised.
Call Surrey 604-260-0183 | Call New Westminster 604-533-6620
How We Treat Neck Pain and Related Headaches
Exercise and Education
Your plan may include gentle mobility, neck muscle control, shoulder strengthening and endurance exercises. We explain how to fit exercises into your day and what to do if symptoms increase. Activity and self-management guidance help you continue rehabilitation between visits.
Hands-On Treatment
Joint mobilization and soft-tissue techniques may help movement or discomfort when appropriate. We explain the proposed treatment, discuss benefits and risks, and obtain consent. Hands-on care is combined with active rehabilitation according to your needs.
IMS and Dry Needling
A suitably trained physiotherapist may discuss IMS or dry needling for selected muscle-related symptoms. It is optional and is not suitable for everyone. Ask about expected benefits, alternatives and risks, including soreness, bruising and rare complications. Treatment availability depends on the practitioner and location.
Laser Therapy
Cold laser or Class IV laser may be considered as an adjunct when appropriate. It is not needed for every neck problem and does not replace exercise and education. Your physiotherapist can explain its suitability, limitations and alternatives. Ask which options are available at your chosen location.
Work and Everyday Activity Guidance
We can help you adjust computer work, lifting, prolonged positions and activity demands. Your plan can include pacing and gradual progression rather than repeatedly stopping activity and restarting at the same intensity.
Neck Pain After a Car Accident or Workplace Injury
ICBC Neck Pain and Whiplash Physiotherapy
For eligible ICBC claims, up to 25 physiotherapy treatments are pre-approved in the first 12 weeks after the collision without a doctor's referral. Bring your claim number, injury date and Personal Health Number. Call us to confirm eligibility, direct billing and any approvals needed for further treatment. Assessment and care are based on your symptoms, not simply the claim type.
WorkSafeBC and WCB Neck Rehabilitation
Report a work-related injury to your employer and WorkSafeBC. Bring your claim number, injury date, job demands and any modified-duty or functional abilities paperwork. We can assess limitations and support rehabilitation toward suitable work tasks. Call to check billing arrangements; coverage and treatment requirements depend on your claim status and authorization.
Why Choose Prana for Neck Rehabilitation
- Assessment that considers symptoms, movement, strength and everyday demands
- Individual plans for neck pain, stiffness, neck-related headaches and eligible injury claims
- Hands-on care and active rehabilitation when appropriate
- Home exercise guidance and reassessment as your needs change
- Two clinic locations with free parking and flexible appointment options
Call us to discuss your symptoms and find an appointment that fits your schedule.
Neck Pain and Headache FAQs
When should I see a physiotherapist?
Consider an assessment if neck pain keeps returning, limits head movement or affects work, sleep or exercise. Use the medical-care guidance below for unusual or severe symptoms.
Can physiotherapy help headaches?
It may help when neck movement or muscle and joint function contribute to the headache. We cannot assume that a headache comes from the neck. New, changing or persistent headaches may also need medical assessment.
Do I need an X-ray or MRI?
Not always. History and examination often guide initial care. Imaging may be needed after significant trauma, for concerning neurological findings or when it would change management. Bring existing reports if you have them.
What if I have a pinched nerve?
Arm pain or tingling may be related to nerve irritation, but it needs assessment. Rehabilitation may be appropriate for some presentations. New or worsening weakness, hand clumsiness or balance problems require prompt medical review.
Should I stretch a stiff neck?
Gentle movement may help uncomplicated stiffness, but forceful stretching is not appropriate for every problem. Avoid exercises that bring on dizziness, increasing arm symptoms or sharp pain. Ask for exercises suited to your assessment.
What pillow should I use?
Choose support that feels comfortable and keeps your head from being held at an awkward angle. There is no single pillow that suits everyone. We can discuss your sleep position and other factors affecting nighttime symptoms.
Can I keep working at a computer?
Often, with suitable adjustments. Try varying your position and breaking up prolonged sitting. Your physiotherapist can help you choose a comfortable setup and build tolerance for your working day.
Can I drive with neck pain?
Only if you can turn your head and perform the necessary checks safely. Do not drive if pain, limited movement, dizziness or medication makes it unsafe. Discuss restrictions after an injury with your health professional.
Will you crack my neck?
Your treatment is discussed with you and requires consent. You can decline a technique and ask about alternatives. A rehabilitation plan may use exercise, education and gentle hands-on methods; forceful manipulation is not required for every neck problem.
How many sessions will I need?
The estimate depends on your assessment and goals. We review movement and function, and headache patterns when relevant, to decide whether the plan is helping. No fixed number of visits or guaranteed result applies to everyone.
Do I need a referral and is treatment covered?
You can generally book physiotherapy directly. Some extended health plans require a referral for reimbursement. Coverage, deductibles and annual limits vary. Bring your insurance details; direct billing is available where supported. Injury claims have separate requirements.
What are the fees and appointment options?
Call your preferred clinic for current assessment and follow-up fees and any patient balance after insurance. Ask about same-day availability. Surrey offers evening and weekend options; New Westminster offers evening and Saturday options.
Choose Your Prana Location
Neck Pain Physiotherapy Surrey
103–9093 King George Boulevard, Surrey, BC V3V 5V7
Find us in King George Business Complex at 91 Avenue, near Bear Creek and Surrey Memorial Hospital. Free parking is available.
Call 604-260-0183 for neck pain, whiplash and neck-related headache rehabilitation. Ask about same-day, evening and weekend openings.
Neck Pain Physiotherapy New Westminster
420 Columbia Street, 4th Floor, New Westminster, BC V3L 1B1
Opposite Columbia SkyTrain, with free parking behind the building.
Call 604-533-6620 for neck pain, stiffness and neck-related headache rehabilitation. Ask about evening and Saturday appointments and current same-day availability.
Take the Next Step for Your Neck
If neck pain or stiffness is interrupting your day, call Prana Physiotherapy to arrange an assessment. We can explain what to bring and help you choose a suitable appointment.
Neck Exercise Resources
Our neck stretching and strengthening resources provide general information. Follow the exercises selected for you after assessment, especially after an injury or surgery. Stop and seek advice if an exercise causes concerning symptoms.
