How We Treat Neck Pain At Poneke Physio

Our service is for people who want to be truly free from chronic pain & injuries. This involves healing the real causes of pain and injury susceptibility, deep in the body and nervous system. It also means moving beyond outdated ‘symptom-based’ approaches to pain.

We combine cutting-edge technology, hands on methods, tailored rehab programs and stress management. This enables us to manage everything from fresh ankle sprains; to the chronic pains associated with conditions like osteoarthritis, disc bulges and PTSD.

We provide transformative healthcare in a welcoming and friendly environment. Genuine care and authentic communication are not bonus features for us; they are healthcare fundamentals.

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Our team offers a wide range of treatments, helping you to achieve your recovery goals. 

Our 3 Step Treatment Process

Successful management and relief of stubborn neck pain can be surprisingly straight forward. Yet in other instances a highly systematic, focused, and persistent approach may be required to get your pain under control. 

We specialise in providing flexible multidisciplinary pain relief – using a wide range of tools and techniques. This ensures we have the best possible chance that we can help everyone: from the most easy straightforward cases right through to the most stubborn treatment resistant forms of neck pain.

Step One

Find The Cause

Step Two

Hands On Pain Relief

Step Three

Rehabilitation And Prevention

Step One - Find the Cause

Getting to the bottom of your neck pain means finding out exactly which tissue the pain is coming from – and exactly what is causing it.

We have a wide range of technologies and tests at our disposal, in order to identify the sources of pain.The first thing we want to know is which tissues are generating your pain. 

Neck pain can come from muscle, tendons, joints, nerves, bones or fascia (connective tissue). Establishing clearly which tissue is creating the pain is the first step towards relief. But we don’t stop there because we want to know WHY you are in pain.

Some neck pains are caused by damaged or degenerated tissue. Some neck pains are caused by psychological stress. Some neck pains are caused by scar tissue from old injuries. Some neck pains are caused by jaw clenching. Some neck pains are caused by the nature of a persons job. Some neck pains can even be caused by having flat feet or a rotated pelvis. 

Finding out why you have neck pain is essential if you want longer term relief from pain. Which is why we place great importance on this step. If you need an X Ray or MRI to diagnose your pain we can organise a referral for the relevant imaging on the spot.

Step Two - Hands On Pain Relief

In most cases of neck pain, it’s necessary to work with a team who combine a variety of technologies and hands-on methods to ease your pain. So that’s exactly what we do.

Most people who require treatment for stubborn neck pain don’t respond particularly well to just being given home exercises. Much in the same way that most people with toothache don’t respond too well to being sent home with some dental floss. 

If you have chronic neck pain you almost certainly need hands on treatments with professionals who are trained to physically relieve pain. We use some of the most advanced pain technology available anywhere combined with a wide range of skill based manual techniques. 

Step Three - Rehabilitation And Prevention

Successful preventing neck pain in the longer term often requires more than just the right ‘treatments’. 

For many patients, neck pain treatment that brings some blessed relief is often just the start point. Stress management, postural correction, lifestyle tweaks, workstation tweaks and even dietary tweaks are often necessary. Muscle weakness in the neck and upper back can also be a key issue.

Most cases of neck pain are either caused by something that we are doing wrong or something that the body needs help with like strength or alignment. Making necessary adjustments to your lifestyle and the wellbeing of your body may be necessary for longer term success. Coaching for these important changes in those who wish to make them is a part of what we do

Our Team

Zabad Michael

DPT (Doctor of Physiotherapy)

Kade Christensen

BHSc. EMT, CERT. ST (Sports Therapy & Paramedicine)

Different Ways To Get In Touch

Appointment Request Form

If you are in a lot of pain and need an urgent appointment please call us.

If you need a regular appointment just fill out the form below and we will be in touch. 

Call Us

04 385 6446

Text Us

027 608 8083

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Treatments And Technologies We Use To Treat Neck Pain

Neck pain differs across patients, prompting physiotherapists to adjust treatment plans with various methods to meet individual needs effectively. They assess each case to identify stiffness or discomfort sources, such as joint issues or tendon strain, ensuring care targets the condition accurately. Physiotherapy applies evidence-based techniques to reduce pain and improve motion, tailoring approaches after thorough evaluations. Patients receive consistent care to address these problems with practical solutions supported by clinical research.

Physiotherapists treat neck pain with low-energy laser therapy (660-905nm), applying light to penetrate tissues and reduce inflammation effectively. They target affected areas to increase cellular energy, speeding repair in muscles and tendons strained by overuse. Patients often improve after initial sessions, with studies showing reduced pain and enhanced tissue healing. Physiotherapy uses this non-invasive method to support recovery plans, helping patients regain function through evidence-based care.

Physiotherapists use extracorporeal shockwave therapy to break muscle knots and scar tissue in neck pain cases, applying soundwaves for relief. They focus on tight tissues to improve blood flow and repair damage with precise sessions. Research confirms its effectiveness for chronic neck conditions, offering sustained benefits over temporary solutions. Physiotherapy integrates this technique to enhance neck function, helping patients recover with consistent, evidence-based care.

Physiotherapists treat neck pain with trigger point release, using manual pressure to ease tight muscle points effectively. They target sore spots to improve circulation and reduce discomfort from prolonged strain, with studies supporting their value in chronic cases. Physiotherapy applies this method alongside other techniques, ensuring patients improve neck comfort with practical, evidence-based care tailored to their needs

Physiotherapists insert fine needles near neck pain sites for ~10 minutes to promote healing, increasing circulation in muscles and tendons. They use this method to lessen tension, with patients improving within sessions, as research shows reduced pain levels. Physiotherapy includes this non-invasive option to enhance treatment outcomes, helping patients recover effectively with evidence-based care.

Physiotherapists mobilize facet joints in the neck to improve motion, addressing stiffness from locked segments with precise techniques. They apply controlled movements to reduce joint restriction, common in many neck pain cases, with studies confirming this restores range effectively. Physiotherapy uses this approach to enhance function, providing consistent care for better neck mobility through evidence-based methods.

Physiotherapists apply ice packs to reduce neck pain and inflammation, interrupting pain signals with a method more effective than heat. They target swollen tissues to lessen discomfort quickly, as research supports its use to overheat, which may worsen pain later. Physiotherapy uses this technique regularly, helping patients improve comfort with evidence-based care.

Physiotherapists use the Graston Technique with tools to break down scar tissue from past neck injuries, improving flexibility effectively. They target buildup to reduce pain and enhance motion, with studies showing increased tissue repair through circulation. Physiotherapy applies this method to support recovery, helping patients regain function with evidence-based care over time.

Physiotherapists guide patients through post-isometric stretches to relax tense neck muscles, using reflex-based techniques after contraction. They focus on reducing stiffness with controlled stretches, and improving range, as research confirms this enhances mobility. Physiotherapy includes this approach to lessen ongoing tension, helping patients improve function with practical, evidence-based care.

Physiotherapists use vacuum cupping to improve blood flow in neck tissues, applying suction cups to stretch tight areas effectively. They target muscles and fascia to reduce pain, with research showing circulation benefits from brief sessions. Physiotherapy employs this technique to support tissue repair, helping patients lessen discomfort with evidence-based, non-invasive care.

Physiotherapists treat neck pain with percussion massage, using devices to increase circulation and loosen tissues effectively. They apply this method with other techniques to improve treatment outcomes, as studies support its role in reducing tension. Physiotherapy ensures consistent care and enhances neck function, helping patients recover with practical, evidence-based support.

Physiotherapists prevent neck pain recurrence by prescribing rehabilitation exercises to improve posture and joint stability over time. They tailor routines to maintain function after relief, with research showing this lowers risks of worsening pain. Physiotherapy adjusts care to patient needs, ensuring effective prevention with evidence-based methods for sustained neck health.

Our 5 Pain Treatment Fundamentals

Hands On Treatments

We are in the business of helping you get out of pain. The beating heart of our clinical process is a committed and very hands on approach to getting you out of pain as quickly, painlessly as possible. We are willing to use a wide range of tools and also to work tirelessly in our efforts to get you out of pain.

Flexible Treatment Approach

Even among professionals there is little agreement on the best ways to treat pain. If there is one thing that we know for certain about pain management though, it’s that a flexible multidisciplinary treatment approach to neck pain is best. This is why we take such great care to provide the most diverse range of pain relief tools possible under one roof.

Get To The Bottom Of It

The human body seldom if ever generates pain for no reason. Pain is a highly organised and intelligent form of feedback that we have evolved over millions of years. In other words if you have pain it will be for a good reason. We always strive to find the deepest possible explanation for your pain so that you have the best possible chance of preventing it in the longer term.

Excellent Communication

Unlike a one-off filling at the dentist, successfully relieving most neck pains under control is a process. A process that often requires commitment, trust and clear communication. We believe that clear and open communication combined with genuine rapport is fundamental within our arsenal of pain management tools.

Assume Nothing 

Just because a treatment has worked for us a thousand times before; doesn’t mean it’s guaranteed to work on you! Pain management is not a ‘1 size fits all’ moment in life. We monitor our patients’ response to treatment very closely. This approach enables us to make agile treatment protocols that can be altered in real time should we find that you aren’t responding to the tools and techniques that we expected to work for you.

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Our Locations

Wellington

3/23 Waring Taylor Street

Wairarapa

82 Main Street, Greytown

Different Ways To Get In Touch

Appointment Request Form

If you are in a lot of pain and need an urgent appointment please call us.

If you need a regular appointment just fill out the form below and we will be in touch. 

Call Us

04 385 6446

Text Us

027 608 8083