REGIO COLLI
Neck
Common complaints — Cervical spine overload · Tight trapezius · Cervicogenic headache
Common complaints
01
Cervical spine overload
A dull, dragging ache around the nape and the base of the skull that builds through the day. Turning the head feels stiff and restricted.
The cervical spine is loaded statically for hours in a forward head position — screen work, driving, looking down at a phone. The deep neck muscles stop holding, and the superficial ones are left doing continuous postural work.
02
Tight trapezius
A hard, tender band of muscle between the neck and the shoulder, sharply painful under pressure and often referring up towards the back of the head.
The upper trapezius works in sustained contraction with the shoulder girdle held high — carrying a bag on one side, stress, a desk or keyboard set too high. The muscle never gets a phase of release, its circulation suffers, and tender points develop in it.
03
Cervicogenic headache
Typically a one-sided headache that starts at the base of the skull and spreads towards the temple. It changes with neck movement and with long spells held in one position.
Irritation of the upper cervical joints and the muscles around them is felt as head pain, referred along the sensory nerves of the head. Behind it there is usually restricted cervical movement and weakness of the deep neck muscles.
How to prevent it
- Strengthening the deep neck flexors with a few minutes of targeted work each day.
- Setting screen height and seating so the head stays over the torso rather than in front of it.
- A movement break every hour: a few slow head and shoulder circles, a change of position.
- Keeping the shoulder girdle and the upper back mobile — the neck pays for whatever the upper back cannot move.
This is exactly what prevention training is built on — if you would rather head off a recurring complaint, take a look at the service. Prevention training
This page is information, not a diagnosis. What is actually causing your complaint can only be established during an in-person assessment. If a complaint persists, is severe, or is getting worse, the first step is a medical examination, not therapy.