Neck Pain

Physiotherapy Plateau Mont-Royal

Neck stiffness, pain radiating down the arm, muscle tension, or symptoms following an accident? Our Plateau-Mont-Royal physiotherapists evaluate the mechanical, joint, muscular, and nerve-related causes of your cervicalgia to build a treatment plan tailored to your symptoms and goals.

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Why consult?

Understanding the cause of your neck pain

Neck pain, or cervicalgia, can originate from the neck joints, intervertebral discs, muscles, nerves, or a combination of several factors. It may remain localized in the neck or spread toward the shoulder blade, shoulder, arm, and sometimes the hand.

Symptoms may appear gradually after hours of computer work, following an exertion, a car accident, or an acute episode with no identifiable cause. In other cases, a herniated disc, osteoarthritis, stenosis, or nerve irritation may contribute to the clinical picture.

At Physio Plateau, in Plateau-Mont-Royal, Montreal, the assessment is not limited to the painful area. We analyze cervical and thoracic mobility, strength, motor control, posture, neurological symptoms, and the response to specific repeated movements when relevant.

Treatment aims to regain comfortable mobility, decrease symptom irritability, and restore your ability to work, sleep, drive, train, and move with confidence.

~60%

of the population will suffer from neck pain at some point

360°

An assessment that considers the neck, upper back, shoulder, arm, nervous system, and movement habits

central objective: identify the dominant mechanism to adapt treatment to your clinical presentation

Our areas of expertise

Examples of cervical conditions we treat

Our physiotherapists manage numerous neck conditions, whether mechanical, degenerative, traumatic, muscular, or associated with nerve irritation.

DISC / MCKENZIE

CERVICAL HERNIATED DISC

A cervical disc herniation or protrusion can cause neck pain with or without radiation toward the shoulder blade, arm, or hand. When the assessment reveals a directional preference or centralization of symptoms, a McKenzie / MDT approach can be integrated into the treatment with repeated movements, postural advice, and an adapted active progression.

DEGENERATIVE

CERVICAL OSTEOARTHRITIS AND STENOSIS

Cervical osteoarthritis and the narrowing of certain joint spaces can contribute to stiffness, pain, and sometimes nerve symptoms. Treatment aims to preserve available mobility, improve strength and activity tolerance, and reduce unnecessary stress through an active and individualized approach.

TRAUMATIC

WHIPLASH AND CERVICAL SPRAIN

After a car accident or a sudden movement, the neck may present with pain, stiffness, headaches, muscle sensitivity, and apprehension toward movement. Physiotherapy promotes a progressive recovery of mobility, cervical control, strength, and functional activities, while monitoring for symptoms requiring further medical evaluation.

NERVE IRRITATION

CERVICOBRACHIALGIA AND RADICULOPATHY

Irritation or compression of a cervical nerve root can lead to pain radiating down to the shoulder, arm, or hand, sometimes accompanied by tingling, numbness, or weakness. Neurological and mechanical assessment guides exercises, mobility techniques, and activity progression.

MUSCULAR

MUSCLE TENSION AND MYALGIA

The trapezius, levator scapulae, suboccipitals, and other cervical muscles can become painful or hypersensitive. Trigger points and muscle tensions are addressed through manual techniques, movement, strengthening, recovery strategies, and better load distribution.

POSTURE / MOVEMENT

MECHANICAL NECK PAIN

Mechanical neck pain is often influenced by prolonged positions, work habits, lack of variation, and low tolerance to certain loads. The goal is not to find a “perfect posture,” but to improve mobility, endurance, and the ability to vary positions without triggering symptoms.

ACUTE PAIN

TORTICOLLIS

Acute torticollis manifests as sudden pain, marked stiffness, and difficulty turning or tilting the head. Physiotherapy can help gradually regain mobility, calm protective spasms, and resume daily movements.

CERVICOTHORACIC

CERVICOTHORACIC JUNCTION DYSFUNCTION

Stiffness or overload around the junction between the neck and upper back can contribute to a postural “hump” sensation, tension, and decreased mobility. Physiotherapy targets thoracic mobility, shoulder blade control, cervical endurance, and positional habits.

NEUROVASCULAR

THORACIC OUTLET SYNDROME

Thoracic outlet syndrome can cause pain, numbness, heaviness, or fatigue in the arm when nerve or vascular structures are irritated in the region between the neck, collarbone, and first rib.

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When to consult?

Recognizing symptoms that require consultation

Persistent, recurring neck pain or pain associated with symptoms in the arm should be evaluated to identify contributing factors and avoid prolonged limitation.

PERSISTENT PAIN

Neck pain that lasts, returns frequently, or limits your daily activities.

NECK STIFFNESS

Difficulty turning your head, looking up, or maintaining certain positions.

ARM PAIN

Radiation toward the shoulder, shoulder blade, arm, forearm, or hand.

NUMBNESS

Tingling or loss of sensitivity that may indicate nerve irritation.

WEAKNESS

Decreased strength in the shoulder, elbow, wrist, or hand.

MUSCLE TENSION

Tense trapezius, painful points, sensation of knots, or neck fatigue.

ASSOCIATED HEADACHES

Headaches accompanying cervical stiffness or aggravated by certain movements.

PAIN AFTER AN ACCIDENT

Stiffness or symptoms appearing after an impact, a fall, or a car accident.

Our approach

A rigorous 5-step clinical process

At Physio Plateau, every case of neck pain presents a different profile. Our approach aims to link your symptoms to measurable clinical signs and build a progression adapted to your daily life.

Cervical and neurological assessment

We analyze symptom history, neck movements, thoracic mobility, strength, reflexes, sensitivity, and signs of nerve irritation when relevant. The shoulder and upper limb are also examined to distinguish between different possible sources of pain.

Problem Classification

Your physiotherapist identifies the mechanisms that appear dominant: mechanical pain, disc irritation, radiculopathy, muscle tension, joint stiffness, or a cervicothoracic component. In some cases, repeated movements from the McKenzie approach are used to look for a directional preference.

Personalized treatment plan

The program is built according to your goals: sleeping comfortably, returning to work, driving, going back to the gym, decreasing symptoms in the arm, or turning your head without apprehension. Home exercises support progression between sessions.

Active and manual treatment

Depending on your condition, treatment may combine manual therapy, directional exercises, cervical and thoracic mobility, neurodynamics, strengthening of deep neck stabilizers, scapular control, and activity pacing strategies.

Return to activities and prevention

The final phase develops endurance, the ability to tolerate prolonged positions, and loads specific to your work or sport. The goal is to make you autonomous and reduce the risk of recurrence through simple and realistic strategies.

Prepare your visit

To consider before your first visit

The treatment of neck pain relies on a personalized approach aimed at treating the cause of the problem, not just the symptoms.

Symptom history – Note how long the pain has been present, what aggravates it, and if it radiates toward the shoulder, arm, or hand.
Medical results – Bring, if available, your X-ray reports, MRI, or other neck-related exams.
After an accident – Specify the date, the mechanism of the accident, immediate symptoms, and their evolution since the event.
Workstation – If work contributes to your symptoms, be ready to describe your position and work habits.
Attire and hair — Wear comfortable clothing that allows easy access to the neck and shoulders. If you have long hair, tie it back to facilitate assessment and treatment.

Each treatment plan is tailored to your reality, whether your goal is a return to daily function or a return to sport.

Our team

Our therapists offer
this service

Rémi Grandhomme – Lauren Quigley – Zoé Nguyen-Bergeron – Emmanuelle Harris Ranger – Myriam Lafrance – Guillaume Hohly – Olivier Benoit

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Frequently asked questions

Everything you want to know about cervical physiotherapy

Can physiotherapy treat neck pain?

Yes. Many mechanical, muscular, and joint-related neck pains, or those associated with nerve irritation, respond well to physiotherapy management. The assessment determines modifiable factors and allows for the creation of a program adapted to your situation.

Is the McKenzie approach indicated for a cervical herniated disc?

It may be relevant when certain repeated movements decrease, centralize, or favorably modify symptoms. The physiotherapist looks for this clinical response before prescribing directional exercises; the approach is not automatically applied to all herniated discs.

Can neck pain cause numbness in the hand?

Yes. Irritation of a cervical nerve root can cause pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness in the arm and hand. Other causes are also possible; the neurological assessment helps clarify the origin of the symptoms.

How long does it take to recover from whiplash?

Recovery varies depending on the severity of the trauma, initial symptoms, health factors, and the resumption of activities. Some people recover quickly, while others require progression over several weeks or months. Your physiotherapist will establish goals and regularly re-evaluate your progress.

Should I avoid moving my neck when it is painful?

Not necessarily. In many cases of neck pain, maintaining comfortable movements and gradually resuming activities is preferable to prolonged immobilization. However, range, frequency, and load must be adapted to your condition.

When does neck pain require a medical consultation?

Consult promptly if the pain is accompanied by significant progressive weakness, marked coordination or walking issues, symptoms following severe trauma, unexplained fever, loss of bladder or bowel control, or any sudden and unusual neurological symptom.

How can I prevent neck pain from returning?

Regularly varying your positions, taking movement breaks, and continuing exercises adapted to your condition can help limit the return of pain. Your physiotherapist advises you on neck mobility and strengthening, as well as adjustments to integrate into your work habits and daily activities.