“
Thank you Matthew, the first session and I already feel so much better. For me it is a matter of trust, to be able to relax and have a neck manipulation.
Maggie B.
Verified Google review
Verified Google review
Desk-day stiffness, waking with a neck that won't turn, tension creeping into your shoulders and head - our Sunshine Coast chiropractors and physiotherapists treat neck pain every day at Mooloolaba and Nambour.
Written and clinically reviewed by Matthew Smith (Chiropractor) and Geoff Villacis (Physiotherapist) · Reviewed August 2026
Most neck pain we see has been building for a while - long hours at a screen, a pillow that isn't doing its job, stress settling into the shoulders. Most people have tried waiting it out first.
Here, our chiropractors and physiotherapists work under one roof, so you're not left guessing who to see. Mooloolaba has on-site digital X-ray, and MotionIQ measures your cervical flexion and rotation in degrees - so we can track exactly how your neck moves and improves.
Knowing the cause matters: a stiff joint, an irritated nerve and an overloaded muscle each need different treatment. We start by working out which you have.
Hours with your head forward of your shoulders overload the joints and muscles at the base of the neck - the most common cause we see, and often the easiest to fix.
Stiff upper neck joints can refer pain into the head - cervicogenic headaches. If yours start at the top of the neck and creep forward, the neck is often the culprit.
A car accident or sporting knock can strain the neck's joints and ligaments, and symptoms can take days to appear. Whiplash responds better to early treatment than rest alone.
Discs in the neck can bulge or herniate, sometimes irritating a nerve and sending pain or pins and needles down the arm. Read more about disc herniations.
From middle age, most neck scans show some wear - and much of it causes no pain at all. Change on an X-ray often isn't why your neck hurts.
A few situations need a doctor or emergency department immediately rather than us: neck pain after significant trauma; fever with a stiff neck and light sensitivity; a sudden, severe headache unlike any before; numbness or weakness spreading into both arms or legs; or dizziness with slurred speech or facial droop.
Here's how each approach works - and why having both in one clinic helps.
Chiropractors find the stiffened neck joints and restore their movement with precise adjustments. Nervous about manipulation? Say so - gentle, low-force options are available, and nothing happens without your okay.
Physiotherapists focus on the muscles and movement patterns around the neck - releasing what's overworked, strengthening what's switched off, and giving you exercises that stop the pain returning.
Not sure which to choose? Our chiropractors and physiotherapists work in the same clinic - call and we'll point you in the right direction, or combine both.
Your first consultation starts with a thorough assessment - we don't assume the cause before we've examined you. Our chiropractors routinely use MotionIQ to measure exactly how your neck is moving, and re-measure later to check the movement is genuinely coming back. If you are booking with a physiotherapist and want a MotionIQ assessment included, please ask when you book. Here is why that matters.
Thank you Matthew, the first session and I already feel so much better. For me it is a matter of trust, to be able to relax and have a neck manipulation.
Great results after the treatment I received. The exercises I was given gave me great relief from neck pain.
I get a lot of relief and benefit from seeing Matthew over the years with a 'creaky' neck. Very experienced, he offers great advice as well.
Dealing with neck pain on the Sunshine Coast?
Our chiropractors and physiotherapists treat neck pain every day in Mooloolaba and Nambour — same-day appointments often available.
That nervousness is common and we take it seriously. Serious complications from neck manipulation are rare, our chiropractors are AHPRA-registered, and we screen for when it isn't appropriate. Prefer to avoid it? Gentle, low-force techniques work well for many necks, and we explain everything first. Nothing happens without your consent.
Usually fast. We're open six days a week, with same-day appointments often available at both clinics. If your neck locked up overnight, don't wait a week - early treatment usually means quicker recovery.
No. Chiropractors and physiotherapists are primary healthcare practitioners in Australia, so you can book directly. The exception is Medicare-subsidised visits under a Chronic Disease Management plan or DVA arrangement - those need a GP referral first.
Yes. Headaches driven by stiff upper neck joints are called cervicogenic headaches - one of the most common types we treat. They start at the base of the skull and spread forward, often on one side. Treating the neck usually settles them too. Read more about headache treatment →
Not always - most neck pain can be assessed without imaging. If an X-ray would genuinely change what we do (after significant trauma, for example), Mooloolaba has on-site digital X-ray, so it can be done on the spot.
Yes, with a Medicare CDM referral from your GP. Chronic neck pain may qualify for a Chronic Disease Management plan covering up to 5 allied health visits per year at no cost. Ask your GP before your appointment. Learn more about bulk billing →
Same-day appointments available at Mooloolaba and Nambour. Book online or call us - we'll help you work out the best approach.
We'll get back to you shortly · or call (07) 5478 2333
