Neck and Shoulder Tension from Sitting: Why It Leads to Headaches

It’s no surprise that so many people experience neck and shoulder pain these days.

Between long commutes, desk work, and endless screen time, our bodies are under constant postural stress. Over time, this tension doesn’t just stay in your neck — it can trigger headaches, stiffness, fatigue, and even jaw pain.

At North West Chiropractic in St Albans, we regularly see patients whose headaches and tight shoulders all stem from one simple cause: poor posture while sitting.

How Sitting Affects Your Neck and Shoulders

When you sit for long periods — especially at a computer — your head tends to drift forward, and your shoulders roll in.

For every 2.5 cm your head moves forward, your neck muscles must hold an extra 2–3 kg of weight.

That’s like holding a bowling ball all day!

This constant strain leads to:

• Tight muscles through the upper traps and neck

• Restricted joints in the upper spine

• Poor circulation and fatigue

• Nerve irritation that can trigger tension headaches

Over time, your body adapts to this poor posture, and pain becomes your new normal.

The Link Between Neck Tension and Headaches

Many headaches actually start in the neck.

When joints and muscles at the base of your skull become tight or irritated, they refer pain upward — a pattern known as cervicogenic headache.

Common signs include:

• Headaches starting at the back of the skull or behind the eyes

• Stiff neck and limited motion

• Pain made worse by sitting, driving, or stress

• Relief after stretching, massage, or movement

How Chiropractic Care Can Help

Chiropractic care focuses on restoring proper alignment and movement through the spine, shoulders, and neck.

At North West Chiropractic, we use gentle, targeted adjustments to:

• Improve mobility in the neck and upper back

• Release muscle tension

• Reduce nerve irritation that contributes to headaches

• Rebalance posture to prevent future pain

We also incorporate soft tissue therapy, postural exercises, and ergonomic advice so you can maintain results between visits.

Simple Tips to Relieve Neck and Shoulder Tension at Work

Here are quick, chiropractor-approved strategies you can start today:

1. Adjust your screen height — top of monitor at eye level.

2. Take a 30-second stretch break every 30 minutes.

3. Keep shoulders relaxed and avoid rounding forward.

4. Use a lumbar support to maintain spine alignment.

5. Hydrate — dehydration can increase tension headaches.

Even small changes can reduce daily strain and improve your posture over time.

When to Seek Professional Help

If your neck pain or headaches have lasted more than a week, or you rely on painkillers to get through the day, it’s time to seek professional care.

A chiropractor can identify the true cause of your symptoms and help you recover safely and naturally.

Book an Appointment

Don’t let neck and shoulder tension hold you back.

Book online, text or call 0450 830 955 to see our team at North West Chiropractic, 306 Station Road, St Albans VIC 3021.

Pain?

How Chiropractors Help with Pain — Naturally and Effectively

Pain can be exhausting — whether it’s in your back, neck, shoulders, or joints. If you’re looking for a natural, drug-free way to relieve pain, chiropractic care might be the answer.

At North West Chiropractic in St Albans, we help patients manage and reduce pain by treating the underlying cause, not just masking symptoms.

💥 What Types of Pain Can Chiropractic Help?

Chiropractic care is effective for a wide range of pain conditions, including:

• Lower back pain

• Neck pain and stiffness

• Headaches and migraines

• Sciatica (nerve pain down the leg)

• Shoulder and upper back tension

• Hip and pelvic pain

• Joint pain (knees, wrists, elbows)

Whether the pain started suddenly or has been building over time, we assess what’s causing it and create a tailored treatment plan.

🧠 Treating the Root Cause — Not Just the Symptoms

Unlike painkillers that only provide temporary relief, chiropractic care aims to correct misalignments, reduce inflammation, and improve how your body moves and functions.

At our St Albans clinic, we focus on:

✅ 1. 

Spinal Adjustments

Gentle, precise adjustments help realign the spine and reduce pressure on the nervous system. This often results in fast relief from pain caused by tension, poor posture, or nerve irritation.

✅ 2. 

Muscle & Joint Therapy

We target tight or inflamed muscles and joints with hands-on therapy and mobility techniques. This relieves pressure, restores movement, and helps prevent flare-ups.

✅ 3. 

Posture & Movement Correction

Poor posture and repetitive strain are often behind chronic pain. We help correct these issues through ergonomic advice and rehab exercises tailored to your body and lifestyle.

💡 Why People in St Albans Choose Chiropractic for Pain Relief

• It’s natural and drug-free

• It focuses on long-term healing, not quick fixes

• It’s tailored to your specific condition and goals

• It supports your body’s own healing ability

Many of our patients tell us they wish they’d seen a chiropractor sooner — especially after seeing how quickly pain can improve when the right areas are treated.

📍 Looking for Pain Relief in St Albans?

At North West Chiropractic, we’re here to help you get back to doing what you love — without pain holding you back. If you’re dealing with ongoing pain, don’t wait for it to get worse.

Book a consultation and find out how chiropractic care can help you feel better, move better, and live better.

📞 Call us: 0450 830 955

🌐 Visit: northwestchiropractic.com.au

📍 Address: 306 Station Rd, St Albans VIC

Posture?

🧍‍♂️ How Chiropractic Care Can Improve Your Posture and Reduce Pain

Good posture isn’t just about standing tall — it’s essential for your spine, joints, and overall health. At North West Chiropractic in St Albans, we regularly see patients struggling with posture-related issues that lead to pain, tension, and poor movement.

Whether you work at a desk, lift on the job, or just feel “off” in your body, chiropractic care can help restore balance and reduce discomfort.

✅ Why Posture Matters

Poor posture puts strain on your spine and muscles, especially in areas like:

• Neck and shoulders

• Lower back

• Hips

• Knees

Over time, this can lead to:

• Chronic back or neck pain

• Headaches or migraines

• Muscle stiffness or fatigue

• Poor balance and movement

Correcting posture early helps prevent long-term damage — and that’s where chiropractic care comes in.

🌀 How Chiropractic Helps Posture

Chiropractors assess your spinal alignment, muscle tension, and movement patterns to find the root cause of your postural issues. Here’s how we can help:

1. 

Spinal Adjustments

Gentle chiropractic adjustments realign your spine, reducing pressure on nerves and muscles. This helps your body move more freely and naturally — a key to better posture.

2. 

Postural Assessments

We use postural screening and functional testing to pinpoint where you’re off balance — whether it’s a tilted pelvis, forward head posture, or uneven shoulders.

3. 

Muscle & Joint Release

Chiropractic care can release tight muscles (like hip flexors or upper traps) and mobilize stiff joints — giving your body the mobility it needs to stand tall and move well.

4. 

Postural Exercises & Advice

We’ll guide you through custom rehab exercises, desk ergonomics, and lifestyle tips to support lasting posture improvements.

💥 Posture and Pain: The Connection

Often, pain and posture go hand in hand. Common issues we see at our St Albans clinic include:

• Lower back pain from slouching or a curved lumbar spine

• Neck tension and headaches from forward head posture

• Shoulder or mid-back pain from rounded shoulders

• Hip or leg pain from sitting too long or poor standing alignment

Correcting posture helps take pressure off these areas — reducing pain and improving how your body feels every day.

📍 Chiropractic in St Albans for Posture & Pain

At North West Chiropractic, we provide personalised care to help improve posture and reduce pain, using a combination of:

• Chiropractic adjustments

• Muscle and joint therapy

• Lifestyle and ergonomic advice

• Custom rehab exercises

Whether you’re recovering from injury, dealing with workplace strain, or just want to move better — we’re here to help.

👉 Book a Posture Check Today

Want to find out how your posture is affecting your health?

Book an appointment with our St Albans chiropractic team and take the first step toward feeling better and standing taller.

📞 Call us on 0450 830 955

🌐 northwestchiropractic.com.au

📍 Located at 306 Station Rd, St Albans VIC