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Neck Pain Physio Melbourne
Eastside Physio + Co assesses and treats neck pain at our Surrey Hills clinic, serving Melbourne's eastern suburbs. We see people who wake with a stiff neck, and desk workers whose necks tighten and ache after long hours at a screen. We find what is driving your neck pain and treat it at the source, so it is less likely to come back.
Common causes of neck pain
Most neck pain comes from a muscle strain or irritation in one of the joints of the cervical spine, which is made up of the seven vertebrae in your neck. It is rarely a sign of anything serious, but understanding the cause tells us what to treat. These are the common ones we see.
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Muscle strain and tension are among the most common causes of neck pain. They often develop through stress or from holding the same posture for hours at a time, such as sitting at a desk or sleeping in an awkward position.
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A disc injury, like a herniated disc or degenerative disc disease in the cervical spine, can cause irritation to nearby structures and refer pain into the arm.
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Long stretches at a screen load the neck muscles and stiffen the joints. Your desk setup and posture can have a huge impact on how your neck feels.
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Arthritis and spinal stenosis stem from wear and tear on the facet joints. Osteoarthritis and cervical spondylosis can narrow the space around the nerves and produce bone spurs.
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Wry neck is a sudden, painful spasm that locks the neck to one side, usually after sleep or a fast movement.
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Nerve compression, or cervical radiculopathy, happens when a herniated disc or bone spur presses on a nerve root, sending pain and pins and needles down the arm.
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Whiplash is common after car accidents and it is caused when the head is thrown forward and back, overstretching the neck in the process.
Neck pain often comes with tightness across the upper back as well. When the upper back is the main problem, back pain physiotherapy is the better starting point.
Neck pain symptoms and when to see someone
Most neck pain is actually just stiffness and soreness that settles within a week or two, but it still helps to know which symptoms are normal and which are not.
Neck problems are usually associated with stiffness and reduced range of motion, along with muscle spasms that contribute to pain. The pain can sometimes refer to the shoulder or even down the arm, while nerve compression might create numbing or tingling sensations in the arm. Shoulder pain may also be a sign of a different problem in the shoulder joint.
Some neck problems can also trigger headaches that start at the base of the skull. If headaches are one of your main symptoms, take a look at our migraine and headache treatment page. If you've experienced a car accident, be sure to mention it when scheduling an appointment, as whiplash requires careful evaluation.
Dizziness is not a typical neck pain symptom. Some people can feel briefly dizzy when the neck is very stiff, but if dizziness or unsteadiness lasts for a long time or recurs regularly, get it checked out promptly.
A few symptoms point to a more serious underlying issue and these need prompt medical attention. If you notice any of these, you should see a doctor on the same day, or go to an emergency department:
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Neck pain after a significant injury or fall
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Weakness in an arm, or numbness that is spreading
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Weakness or numbness in the legs, or unsteady walking
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Loss of bladder or bowel control
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Fever together with a stiff neck
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Unexplained weight loss, or a history of cancer
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Neck pain that is not easing after about a week, or is getting worse
Neck pain with chest pain needs immediate medical attention. Call 000.
For most people, neck pain is not caused by anything serious and responds well to physiotherapy. Pain that lasts more than three months is known as chronic neck pain, but many people still improve with the right treatment plan.
Active treatment works better than rest and scans for most neck pain
The majority of neck pain cases can be treated without the need to have any imaging done prior to treatment. Most neck pain improves with guided movement and manual therapy, without the need for an X-ray or MRI beforehand, and too much rest usually hinders recovery. Active, guided treatment is the evidence-based line of treatment rather than resting or scanning.
This doesn’t mean that imaging is never used, though. We refer for an X-ray or an MRI when the assessment points to something that needs it, or when a red flag is present, and for a CT scan when that is the clearer option. In the small number of severe cases that need more, we refer on to a specialist.
How we treat neck pain at Eastside Physio + Co
Your care is individualised based on your requirements, as no two problems are exactly alike. Our physiotherapists will provide cervical physiotherapy for neck stiffness, strains, and pain related to nerves and recurring issues. There are some people who benefit from using MLS laser therapy alongside their physiotherapy. Here’s how a usual course of neck pain treatment looks.
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Assessment and diagnosis
Your first session will begin with a comprehensive evaluation of your neck pain. During your first appointment, we'll discuss your symptoms and medical history before assessing how your neck moves. If your symptoms suggest nerve involvement, we'll also examine the nerves in your arm. That gives us an accurate diagnosis and a plan to work from.
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Hands-on treatment
Hands-on treatment helps reduce the pain quickly and makes the neck more mobile. We employ manual therapy to relax the joints and the protective muscles that keep a sore neck locked up. Joint mobilisation helps to loosen the stiff joint, while soft tissue massage helps to relax the surrounding muscles. This combination of manual therapy and massage can provide noticeable relief from the first session.
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Exercise rehabilitation
Hands-on treatment helps settle your symptoms, but exercise plays the biggest role in reducing the chances of them returning. We will give you neck exercises and stretches to restore movement that you can also do at home, along with strengthening exercises and postural correction that help support the neck through the day. The goal is to address what's causing your pain, so you're less likely to find yourself back where you started a few weeks later. For ongoing strength, our clinical Pilates classes are a good next step, and better posture through your working day protects the gains you’ve made.
What to expect at your first appointment
Your first appointment will be a longer initial consultation, and this gives us the time to assess your neck pain properly and start treatment on the same day. Bring any scans or reports you already have with you, and wear clothing you can move in. You'll leave your first appointment with a clear treatment plan, so you'll know what the next few weeks are likely to involve. Fees are confirmed when you book.
Fees, rebates and referrals for neck pain physiotherapy
You don’t need a referral from a GP to book private physiotherapy for neck pain, and you can book directly with us. Claiming a Medicare rebate is different and it requires both a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan (GPCCMP) and a signed GP referral from your doctor. This plan was once called a CDM or EPC plan, and legacy plans stay valid until 30 June 2027.
The current Medicare rebate is $63.40 per visit (MBS item 10960, schedule fee $74.55), set on 1 July 2026 and indexed each July.
It covers up to five allied health services per calendar year in total, shared across every allied health provider on your plan. That is five services in total, not five physio sessions.
Bulk billing is available for eligible patients under a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan. Eligibility is confirmed when you book.
Private health rebates can be claimed on the spot. We also treat WorkCover, TAC, NDIS and Home Care patients; let reception know when you book, and bring your claim or reference details. Consultation fees are confirmed when you book.
Clinic information
Eastside Physio + Co has treated Melbourne's eastern suburbs from our Surrey Hills clinic since 2017, with more than 6,300 clients.
Address: 427 Canterbury Road, Surrey Hills VIC 3127
Phone: (03) 9836 1333
Email: info@esphysio.com.au
Referral: none needed to book. Medicare rebates need a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan.
Private health: claim on the spot via HICAPS, all major insurers.
WorkCover, TAC and NDIS clients welcome.
Parking: there are three onsite parking bays at the front of the building and two at the rear. Additional street parking is available on Canterbury Road and the adjoining streets.
Book a neck pain assessment in Melbourne's eastern suburbs
Our clinic is at 427 Canterbury Road, Surrey Hills. We're only a short drive from Camberwell, Box Hill and Blackburn, making us a convenient choice for people across Melbourne's eastern suburbs. Book online or call, and one of our physiotherapists will assess your neck and start you on a plan.