Neck and shoulder pain that will not settle?
A neck that locks after a long day at the laptop, an ache across the top of the shoulder or pain that runs down the arm. Our Hampstead physios explain the usual causes and how we get you comfortable and moving again.
★★★★★ 4.9 on Google from 177 reviews of our Hampstead clinic
Quick answer: Most neck and shoulder pain is not caused by serious damage and improves within weeks with the right mix of movement, strengthening and hands-on treatment. Pain or pins and needles down the arm usually means an irritated nerve in the neck, which also tends to settle with physio. Our Hampstead clinic at 5 Holly Hill, NW3 6QN, can assess you, often the same day.
Neck pain or shoulder pain?
The neck and shoulder share muscles and nerves, so pain in one is often felt in the other. Pain across the top of the shoulder and up into the neck usually starts in the neck. Pain on the outside of the upper arm, worse lifting the arm, usually starts in the shoulder itself.
Getting this right matters, because the treatment is different. Our physios test both so you are treating the real source.
Shoulder pain might not be from your shoulder
Mechanical neck pain
Stiffness and ache
Stiff, sore neck after desk work, sleep or driving, often with headaches.
Trapped nerve
Cervical radiculopathy
Pain, pins and needles or weakness down one arm.
Rotator cuff pain
Shoulder tendons
Ache on the outside of the arm lifting overhead or lying on that side.
Frozen shoulder
Stiff and painful
Gradual loss of movement in every direction, common in middle age.
Struggling to turn your head?
Get it assessed. Book at our Hampstead clinic, often the same day.
What actually helps
- Keeping moving, little and often, rather than holding the neck still
- Hands-on treatment to ease stiff joints and tight muscles
- Strengthening for the deep neck and shoulder blade muscles
- Changes to your desk, laptop and phone habits that you can keep up
- A clear plan if pain spreads into the arm, with referral if needed
No better
than placebo surgery: shoulder decompression for subacromial pain in a large UK trial
Beard et al, Lancet 2018 (CSAW)
Exercise
plus manual therapy is recommended for persistent neck pain
Bier et al, Phys Ther 2018
~5
sessions is typical for our patients to reach their goals
BOOST PHYSIO patient data
Trapped nerve in neck? Hands-on treatment options
In this video our physio shows the hands-on treatment we often use for a trapped nerve in the neck, combined with exercises you can do at home.
When to seek medical advice urgently
- Neck pain after a fall or accident
- Weakness in both arms or legs, or problems with walking or balance
- Severe headache unlike any before, or neck stiffness with fever and a rash: call 999
- Shoulder pain with chest pain or breathlessness: call 999
Meet your Hampstead physios
Travis, Annie, Kathleen, Kate, Siubhan and Maddy all treat neck and shoulder pain at Hampstead, and Kathleen has a particular interest in desk-related pain.
Madeleine Paterson
Senior Physiotherapist
Maddy is our Hampstead women’s health physio, trained in the Mummy MOT, and also treats sports injuries.
Travis Egerton
Senior Physiotherapist and Clinical Lead
Travis leads our Hampstead and Swiss Cottage clinicians and has a particular interest in sports injuries, back pain and ankle problems.
Annie McCambridge
Senior Physiotherapist
Annie treats sports injuries and specialises in step-by-step rehab after fractures and surgery.
Kathleen Eng
Chartered Physiotherapist
Kathleen works with runners, sporty patients and people whose pain has built up from long hours at a desk.
Kate McLeod
Specialist Physiotherapist
Kate sees runners, complex or long-standing injuries and patients with hypermobility.
Siubhan Slater
Senior Physiotherapist
Siubhan treats sports injuries, back and neck pain and rehab after surgery.
What our Hampstead patients say
★★★★★
“Madeleine helped me with recovery after a rotator cuff injury and frozen shoulder.”
★★★★★
“I initially came to see her with a painful shoulder, which was making it hard to walk, sit and sleep comfortably.”
★★★★★
“I received excellent advice and treatment for shoulder pain from Madeleine this past winter.”
Watch: neck and shoulder advice
Short videos our physios use with neck and shoulder patients.
Neck pain hands-on treatment
How physios examine shoulder pain
One clinic, the experience of a whole team
Something our patients don’t always realise is how much support sits behind each physio. Our team trains together twice a month and every physio has a dedicated mentor who reviews cases with them, so when you see us in Hampstead you get the experience of the whole BOOST PHYSIO group.
- Same day appointments, seven days a week across our clinics
- No GP referral needed
- Recognised by Bupa, AXA Health, Vitality, WPA and Aviva
Prefer another clinic? Book at BOOST PHYSIO Swiss Cottage, West Hampstead or Kentish Town, or read more about neck pain physio and shoulder pain physio.
Ease your neck and shoulder pain
Book at BOOST PHYSIO Hampstead, 5 Holly Hill, NW3 6QN.
Related reading
Your questions answered
Should I use a special pillow for neck pain?
There is no single best pillow. Choose one that keeps your neck roughly level with the rest of your spine in your usual sleeping position, and focus on movement during the day.
Is pins and needles in my arm serious?
It usually means an irritated nerve in the neck, which often settles with physio. Weakness, symptoms in both arms or problems walking need urgent assessment.
Can you treat headaches from my neck?
Yes. Headaches that start at the back of the head and come with neck stiffness often respond well to neck treatment and exercise.
Do I need a GP referral to see a physio?
No. You can book directly with us online, by phone or on WhatsApp. If you are claiming on private medical insurance, check with your insurer first, as some ask for a GP or specialist referral.
How many sessions will I need?
It depends on the problem and your goals. On average our patients reach their goals in around 5 sessions, and we will give you an honest estimate at your first appointment in Hampstead.
Written and clinically reviewed by Steven Berkman, BSc Physiotherapy (University of Cape Town), HCPC-registered chartered physiotherapist, MCSP, founder of BOOST PHYSIO in 2008, with Madeleine Paterson, Travis Egerton, Annie McCambridge, Kathleen Eng, Kate McLeod and Siubhan Slater at BOOST PHYSIO Hampstead. Last reviewed 12 November 2026.
References
- Beard DJ et al. Arthroscopic subacromial decompression for subacromial shoulder pain (CSAW): a multicentre, pragmatic, parallel group, placebo-controlled, three-group, randomised surgical trial. Lancet 2018;391:329-338.
- Bier JD et al. Clinical practice guideline for physical therapy assessment and treatment in patients with nonspecific neck pain. Phys Ther 2018;98:162-171.
This article is general information, not a diagnosis. If you are unsure what is causing your symptoms, book an assessment or speak to your GP. If you have severe or rapidly worsening symptoms, call 111 or 999.
