Why Your Neck and Shoulders Always Feel Tight — And What You Can Do About It
If you spend your days at a desk, behind the wheel, or glued to your phone, chances are you’ve felt that familiar ache in your neck or the tightness in your shoulders that just won’t go away. You might stretch, crack your neck, or get a quick massage, but it always seems to creep back. So what’s really going on — and how can physio help?
Posture, Stress, and Muscles: The Perfect Storm
Most of us carry stress in our upper body without even realising it. Add to that long hours of poor posture (like slouching over a laptop or looking down at your phone), and it’s no wonder the neck and shoulders become tight and sore.
When we sit or move in the same position day after day, certain muscles become overactive while others switch off. This imbalance causes tension, poor mobility, and even headaches.
The Problem Isn’t Just the Muscles
Muscle tightness is often just the symptom. The root cause might be reduced joint mobility, nerve irritation, or weakness in deeper stabilising muscles. That’s why quick fixes don’t always last — the real problem needs targeted attention.
How Physiotherapy Can Help
Physiotherapists assess more than just the area that hurts. We look at your movement patterns, posture, lifestyle, and muscle activation to find the true source of the tension. A physio treatment plan may include:
- Hands-on therapy to release tight structures
- Targeted exercises to retrain and strengthen weak muscles
- Postural advice and ergonomic tweaks to help prevent the issue from returning
- Breathwork or relaxation techniques if stress is a major factor
When to Book In
If your neck and shoulder tension is affecting your sleep, mood, or daily movement — it’s time to get it checked. The longer you leave it, the more your body adapts around the dysfunction.
