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Common complaints

Neck pain and stiff neck

Neck problems affect many people, especially in jobs with a lot of sitting or one-sided working positions. The pain may be local to the neck, or radiate towards the shoulder blade, shoulder and head.

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What does it feel like?

Most people describe neck problems as stiffness and aching, often combined with reduced mobility – it becomes painful or difficult to turn your head fully to the side, or to look up. Some wake up with an acute locking that makes the neck almost impossible to move.

Problems in the neck are often felt in the head and shoulders as well. It is common for them to come with headache that starts at the back of the head and spreads forward, tenderness in the muscles between neck and shoulder, or a feeling of heaviness across the shoulders.

Common causes

Neck problems rarely have a single cause. Most often it is an interplay between strain, mobility and muscle tension:

Prolonged static work at a screen or in the same position
Reduced mobility in the joints of the neck and upper back
Increased tension in the muscles between neck, shoulder and shoulder blade
A sleeping position or pillow that does not give good support
Periods of high stress, poor sleep or little varied activity

Neck-related headache

Headache that originates in the neck is one of the most common forms of headache. It typically feels like a steady, pressing pain that starts in the neck or at the back of the head and spreads forward towards the temple or forehead. It is often most marked on one side, and can be made worse by long periods in a static working position. The examination looks at whether mobility and function in the neck may help explain the headache.

What happens at the consultation?

30 minutes are set aside for ordinary treatment appointments. A first consultation usually follows this structure:

01

Case history

We go through when the problem started, where you feel it, whether it radiates, and what in daily life makes it worse or better. Work situation and sleep are often relevant.

02

Clinical examination

Examination of mobility in the neck and upper back, joint function and muscles. If there is radiation into the arm, neurological tests are also done.

03

Assessment and explanation

You get an explanation of what the findings mean and the likely cause. If needed, MRI, CT or X-ray can be requested.

04

Treatment and advice

Treatment adapted to the findings, combined with advice on working posture, variation and exercises you can do yourself between appointments.

When should you seek help?

It can be sensible to get an assessment if any of this applies to you:

Your neck has been stiff or painful for more than one to two weeks without improvement
You have recurring episodes of locking
You feel radiating pain, numbness or tingling into the arm or hand
You have headaches that seem connected to your neck
The problem affects work, sleep or training

Contact a doctor or the emergency clinic (legevakt) if you have

Neck pain after a fall or trauma, sudden and unusually severe headache, visual disturbances, difficulty speaking, marked dizziness, or neck stiffness together with fever. This is rare, but should be assessed quickly.

Stiff neck? Book an appointment.

The clinic is at Vingveien 2 in Sola, with parking right outside. No referral needed.

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Online booking requires Norwegian BankID. No BankID? Call +47 99 79 37 38.