Neck pain, stiffness and restricted movement are frustrating and disruptive. Our approach: a thorough initial consultation, an honest conversation about what may help, and a care plan tailored to you. No promises we can't keep. No pressure to commit.
Real cases from Dr Mark Whitfield's clinic. Patient details changed, individual results vary.
A 45 year old regular patient hurt his neck lifting on Monday and came in with headaches by Thursday. Here is how we worked through it.
Read the case →A 43 year old regular maintenance patient came in a week after coming off a dirt bike. His main complaint was acute neck pain. Here is why...
Read the case →A 70 year old regular patient came in a week early after a fall that jarred her neck, middle back and right shoulder. Here is how we...
Read the case →The basics
Neck pain describes pain, stiffness or unusual sensations in the neck, shoulders and upper back. The cause can vary considerably from person to person: postural strain, injury, disc-related issues, or referred pain from elsewhere.
Because the cause matters for the approach, we don't recommend care until we've done a proper assessment. We're careful not to make claims about outcomes.
Our care approach
When did it start? What triggered it? What eases it, what worsens it? Any prior injuries, other conditions, red flags. Full picture first.
Range of motion, neurological screening (reflexes, sensation, strength), orthopaedic testing. Sometimes x-ray referral if indicated.
We go through your assessment (and x-rays if taken) in plain English. We discuss what may help, what we can't promise, and what a care plan may look like.
Typically 12 visits over 6-8 weeks with a re-examination at visit 12. Pay-as-you-go or 12-visit pre-pay package (10% discount).
Not every neck-pain-type presentation responds to chiropractic care in the same way. That's why we assess before we recommend, and why we're upfront about what we can and can't do. If we don't think chiropractic care is the right fit for you, we'll say so and point you towards who is.
Dr Mark WhitfieldB.Sc.M.Chiropractic - Corrective Chiropractic CalamvaleRebates + coverage
Neck pain visits are covered under most private health extras, WorkCover claims, DVA cards, and Medicare Allied Health CDM plans.
Common questions
We can't answer that until we've assessed you. Neck pain can arise from a range of causes - some respond well to chiropractic care, some don't. The initial consultation is where we work out whether we're the right fit. If we're not, we'll say so.
Not always. If your history and physical assessment indicate x-rays would help clarify the picture, we refer you to a local radiology clinic. You attend a Report of Findings visit once results are back so we can go through them together.
Individual responses vary significantly - it's one of the reasons AHPRA rules discourage claiming specific outcome timelines. We discuss what a reasonable expectation may look like for your specific presentation at the Report of Findings visit.
We'll tell you. Dr Mark has been practising in Brisbane south since 2004 and has a good sense of when chiropractic care fits and when other options (GP, physio, imaging, specialist referral) are more appropriate.
Exact cost depends on your assessment. Initial care plans are typically 12 visits over 6-8 weeks. You can pay-as-you-go or take the 12-visit pre-pay package (10% discount). Rebates apply on top for eligible patients.
Yes - approved WorkCover claims are welcome. Bring your claim details to your initial consult.
The first step is always the initial consult - no commitment, no pressure, honest conversation.
Answered by Dr Mark Whitfield from real patient visits at the Calamvale clinic.
Tension builds in the upper traps and lower cervical area after a strain, which pulls the upper neck (C1 and C2) into protective tightness. This upper neck region refers pain forward over the head, which is why headaches often follow a day or two after a lifting or whiplash injury.
When the headache is mechanical (coming from the neck), adjustments can be very effective. We rule out non-mechanical causes first through history and examination, then release the specific joints involved.
Any headache. Red flags we specifically rule out include blurred vision, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, weakness or any sudden visual change. If any are present we refer to a GP rather than treat. If none are present, mechanical neck-driven headaches typically respond well to care.
In the acute phase after a trauma, less is more. The ribs and middle back were still very reactive from the fall, so touching that area today would have added to the discomfort without changing the outcome. We treat what we can safely treat today, then reassess at the next visit once the acute inflammation has settled.
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