Neck Pain, Stiff Neck and Tech Neck
Ready to find out what's really behind your neck pain?
New patients welcome from Kennewick, Richland, Pasco, West Richland and across the Tri-Cities.
Book Online Call (509) 820-3828
Neck pain can show up as stiffness when you turn your head, a knot between the shoulder blades, pain that spreads into the shoulder or arm, or headaches that start at the base of the skull. At ICE in Kennewick we look at the neck and everything connected to it: the upper back, shoulder blades, shoulders and jaw. Neck pain rarely lives in the neck alone.
What causes neck pain?
Most neck pain is mechanical. Common sources include:
Joint restrictions in the cervical spine and upper back
Muscle strain and guarding in the upper traps, levator scapulae and deep neck muscles
Forward-head posture from phones, laptops and driving ("tech neck")
Disc or nerve irritation that can send pain, tingling or numbness into the arm
Whiplash after a car accident (see auto injuries)
Common causes: the kinetic-chain view
A stiff upper back that forces the neck to do more of the turning and bending
Shoulder and shoulder-blade dysfunction: when the shoulder doesn't move well, the neck muscles help out and overwork (see shoulder pain)
Jaw clenching and TMJ problems that tighten the neck muscles (see TMJ & jaw pain)
Workstation setup and sleep position
Previous injuries, especially car accidents and sports collisions
Symptoms
Stiffness or pain when turning or tilting your head
Ache or knots between the shoulder blades or on top of the shoulders
Headaches that start at the base of the skull (see headaches & migraines)
Pain, tingling or numbness into the shoulder, arm or hand (see carpal tunnel & wrist pain)
Neck pain that's worse after screen time or driving
How ICE treats neck pain
We start with a thorough history and exam: neck and upper-back motion, shoulder and shoulder-blade movement, jaw function, posture, and nerve tests (reflexes, strength and sensation) when there are arm symptoms. If your exam suggests a more serious problem, imaging may be recommended first. After treatment we re-test your movement so you can see what changed.
Care may include:
Spinal adjustments for the neck and upper back, using gentle options when needed.
Extremity adjustments for the shoulders, ribs and jaw where restrictions are adding to the problem.
Cranial manipulation for jaw-related neck tension.
Low-level laser therapy to help calm irritated tissue.
Manual therapy for tight neck and upper-back muscles.
Corrective exercises: deep neck flexor activation, shoulder-blade control and posture habits, done briefly and often at home.
Treated by an extremity-certified chiropractor who teaches other doctors
Neck pain often comes from the shoulders, upper back or jaw as much as the neck itself. Your care at ICE is led by Dr. Kyle Bryant, DC, CCEP, the founder of Integrative Chiropractic and Extremities. Dr. Bryant is a Certified Chiropractic Extremity Practitioner (CCEP), an advanced credential awarded by the Council on Extremity Adjusting after 105 hours of advanced extremity training and a practical exam. He has 15+ years in practice, he teaches his extremity assessment approach to other chiropractors, and he has been invited onto several professional chiropractic podcasts to talk about extremity adjusting.
He practices alongside Dr. Joseph Friedman, DC, who builds personalized plans around spinal and extremity adjustments and integrative therapies. Every patient gets extremity care as part of the evaluation, not as an add-on.
What to expect
Initial visits typically take 15–60 minutes, and in most cases treatment starts the same day unless imaging is needed first. Follow-ups usually take 10–20 minutes. We'll explain what we find and what changes to watch for.
At-home care
Raise your screen to eye level and keep your phone up rather than looking down.
Take a movement break every 30 minutes: gentle chin nods, shoulder-blade squeezes, easy turns.
Sleep on a pillow that keeps your neck level with your body, on your back or side.
Do your exercises as shown. They should not sharply increase arm symptoms.
When to get emergency care
Get emergency care right away for neck pain after a significant fall or car accident, or for neck pain with sudden severe headache, dizziness, trouble speaking or swallowing, vision changes, weakness or numbness on one side of the body, or loss of coordination. Also see a medical provider promptly for neck pain with fever and a stiff neck, unexplained weight loss, or a history of cancer.
Frequently asked questions
Can a chiropractor help neck pain?
Many cases of neck pain are mechanical and respond to chiropractic care, soft tissue work and targeted exercise. Your exam will show whether you're a good candidate or need a medical referral first.
Is it safe to have my neck adjusted?
For most people, chiropractic care for the neck is a low-risk, commonly used treatment. We screen for warning signs first, explain every technique, and use gentle, low-force options whenever you prefer or when your exam calls for it.
What is "tech neck"?
It's neck and upper-back strain from looking down at phones, tablets and laptops for long periods. The head drifts forward, and the muscles at the back of the neck work harder to hold it up.
Why does my neck pain go into my shoulder or arm?
Irritated joints, muscles or nerve roots in the neck can refer pain into the shoulder and arm. Shoulder problems can also feel like neck pain. A good exam tells them apart.
How long does neck pain take to get better?
Many episodes improve over days to weeks with the right care, while long-standing or recurring neck pain takes longer. We'll give you an honest estimate after your exam.
Get your neck pain evaluated in Kennewick
You don't have to keep guessing. Our doctors will look at your neck and the joints above and below it, show you what they find, and walk you through a plan you can understand.
Integrative Chiropractic and Extremities (ICE Clinics) · 7117 W Hood Pl, Ste 130, Kennewick, WA 99336
Hours: Mon/Wed/Fri 9:00–12:30 & 3:30–6:00 · Tue/Thu 9:00–12:30 & 2:30–5:00
Paying for care: we are primarily self-pay, and we also accept Medicare, auto injury claims and L&I (Washington Labor & Industries) claims. No referral is needed. See what to expect as a new patient.
Book Your Visit Online Call (509) 820-3828
Related conditions
Headaches & migraines · Shoulder pain · TMJ & jaw pain
Back to all conditions we treat.
This page is general health information, not a diagnosis or a promise of results. Everyone responds differently. If you have severe, sudden or worsening symptoms, please contact your medical provider or call 911.