Neck Pain Rehabilitation in North Vancouver
Neck pain shows up differently for everyone, stiffness from a long day at a desk, a sharp kink that makes turning your head difficult, or lingering tightness after a workout. The actual cause is often tied to how your upper back and shoulders are moving, not just the neck itself. I assess your whole movement system, not just where it hurts, so we can identify what's actually driving your neck pain and build a plan that addresses it, not just the symptom in front of us.
It's Not Always Just Your Neck.
Written and clinically reviewed by Dr. Aaron Wallace, DC, MSc.
Common reasons people seek care
Neck pain is one of the most common reasons people come into the office, and it rarely has just one cause. An assessment helps guide the right next step. Here are some of the conditions I most commonly assess and treat:
Muscle Strain & Tension
Overworked or underused neck muscles, often from prolonged screen time, poor posture, or sleeping in an awkward position, causing an aching, diffuse pain that worsens with movement.
Cervical Disc Herniation
When a disc between the neck vertebrae bulges or ruptures, it can press on a nearby nerve, causing pain, numbness, or tingling that radiates down the arm.
Facet Joint Irritation
Irritation of the small joints at the back of the neck that guide movement, causing sharp, localized pain that often worsens with turning or tilting your head back.
Postural Neck Pain (Text Neck)
Chronic forward head posture from desk work and screens places ongoing load on the neck, leading over time to muscle fatigue, joint stress, and irritation.
Nerve Impingement (Radiculopathy)
When a nerve root in the neck is compressed or irritated, causing radiating pain, numbness, or weakness into the shoulder, arm, or hand.
Whiplash-Related Neck Pain
Rapid forward-backward motion of the neck, typically from a motor vehicle accident, which can affect the muscles, joints, and discs at the same time (see my Motor Vehicle Accident & ICBC Rehabilitation page for more).
What to expect during your session.
1
Comprehensive assessment
Your first visit includes a movement and clinical assessment of your neck and how it connects to your upper back and shoulders, so we understand what may be driving your symptoms before recommending any treatment.
2
A plan built around you
From there, we build an individualized plan that combines manual therapy with active, exercise-based rehabilitation. You'll know exactly what we're addressing, why, and what the process looks like going forward.
3
Built for long-term resilience
We track your progress at every visit, reassessing regularly and adjusting your plan as you improve. The goal is genuine, long-term resilience and a real return to the activities you care about, not an open-ended treatment plan.
How long does recovery take?
The course of neck pain varies. Rather than promising a fixed number of visits, we review changes in comfort, movement and your ability to work, sleep and exercise. If symptoms worsen, persist or suggest that another assessment is needed, we discuss the appropriate next step.
Is my neck pain from sitting at a desk all day?
Prolonged positions can contribute for some people, but there's rarely one simple cause. An assessment helps identify how your work setup, movement, and other factors relate to your specific symptoms.
Can I keep exercising with neck pain?
In most cases, yes. Part of the plan is figuring out what you can safely keep doing while we address what's actually driving the issue.
Should I mention tingling or symptoms in my arm?
Yes. Tell your clinician about arm pain, tingling, numbness or weakness, including when it began and whether it is changing. These symptoms can affect the assessment and whether additional medical care is needed.
When to seek medical care
New or worsening weakness or numbness needs prompt medical assessment. Severe neck pain or neurological symptoms after significant trauma should not wait for a routine appointment.
Related care
Book an assessment
Appointments with Dr. Aaron Wallace are available in North Vancouver and West Vancouver. Choose a clinic to see contact details and booking options.