How We Treat Neck & Shoulder Pain with Myotherapy in East Brisbane

Neck and shoulder pain is one of the most common problems we see at Advanced Rehab Massage & Myotherapy in East Brisbane.
Desk work, stress, poor posture, training, or looking after kids can all lead to tight, achy muscles around the neck and shoulders.

The good news? In many cases, this pain can be greatly reduced with the right combination of hands-on treatment and simple exercises.

In this article, we’ll briefly cover:

Common causes of neck and shoulder pain

• Why the pain keeps coming back

• How myotherapy and remedial massage can help

• What to expect from a session with us

Common causes of neck & shoulder pain

Most neck and shoulder pain doesn’t appear overnight. It usually builds up over time due to things like:

• Prolonged desk or laptop work
  – Forward head posture, rounded shoulders, working from the couch or dining table

• Stress and muscle tension
  – Shrugging the shoulders, clenching the jaw when under pressure

• Posture habits
  – Tight chest muscles, weak mid-back and shoulder blade muscles

• Repetitive or manual work
  – Lifting, reaching overhead, using tools or manual handling

• Previous injuries
  – Whiplash, sports injuries, old shoulder or neck issues

These can lead to:

• Tight, overworked muscles

• Stiff neck and upper back joints

• Trigger points that refer pain into the head, shoulder blade or arm

• Headaches, heaviness or fatigue in the neck and shoulders

Why the pain keeps coming back

Many people feel better for a few days after rest, stretching or a casual massage – and then the pain slowly returns.

This often happens because the underlying drivers are still there, for example:

• Only treating the painful area, not the surrounding joints and muscles

• No changes to workstation setup or daily posture

• Weakness in the deep neck flexors, shoulder blade stabilisers and mid-back muscles

• Relying on passive treatment, without any active exercise or follow-up

Our goal is not just short-term relief, but helping you understand why your pain is happening and how to break the cycle.

How myotherapy & remedial massage can help

Myotherapy and remedial massage focus on assessing and treating the structures that are actually driving your symptoms.

Depending on your presentation, we may use:

• Remedial and deep tissue massage
  To release tight neck, shoulder and upper back muscles.

• Trigger point therapy
  To reduce referred pain, including pain into the head, shoulder blade or arm.

• Myofascial release
  To improve soft tissue mobility around the neck and shoulder girdle.

• Joint mobilisation
  Gentle techniques to improve movement in the cervical and thoracic spine.

• Dry needling (with your consent)
  For stubborn tension and trigger points.

• Posture and movement education
  Linking your symptoms with how you sit, sleep and move.

• Individualised home exercises
  To support strength, control and long-term change.

What a typical neck & shoulder session looks like

Every person is different, but a typical appointment at our East Brisbane clinic usually includes:

1. Assessment

We start with a brief but focused assessment, including:

• Your pain history and daily activities

• Posture and movement

• Neck and shoulder range of motion

• Palpation of muscles and joints to find key tension and trigger points

This helps us decide which structures to prioritise and which techniques are most suitable.

2. Hands-on treatment

We then use a tailored mix of:

• Myotherapy and remedial massage techniques

• Trigger point and myofascial work

• Possible joint mobilisation or dry needling (if appropriate)

We will always check in about pressure and comfort, and adjust as needed.

3. Simple exercises & self-care

To maintain results, we often prescribe a few easy-to-follow exercises, such as:

• Gentle neck mobility movements

• Shoulder blade control exercises

• Stretching the chest and front of the shoulders

• Simple thoracic mobility work

We may also offer quick tips on desk setup, screen height, breaks during the workday, and pillow/sleeping position.

How many sessions will I need?

This depends on:

• How long you’ve had the problem

• Your work and stress levels

• Whether there is headache or nerve involvement

• How well you can follow through with exercises and small lifestyle changes

Some people feel noticeable relief within 1–2 sessions.
More long-standing or complex cases may benefit from a short treatment plan (for example, weekly sessions at first, then gradually spacing out as things improve).

We’ll always discuss this openly so you know what to expect.

When to seek urgent medical help

Most neck and shoulder pain is musculoskeletal and responds well to myotherapy and remedial massage.
However, you should seek urgent medical care if you experience:

• Severe neck pain after significant trauma

• Progressive weakness, numbness or loss of coordination

• Difficulty speaking, swallowing or changes in vision

• Chest pain, shortness of breath or other signs of a medical emergency

If we feel that your symptoms may be caused by something more serious, we will refer you to your GP or another appropriate health professional.

Neck & shoulder pain treatment in East Brisbane

If you live or work around East Brisbane, Kangaroo Point, Woolloongabba or nearby suburbs and are dealing with ongoing neck and shoulder pain, you don’t have to just put up with it.

At Advanced Rehab Massage & Myotherapy, we combine:

• Evidence-informed myotherapy and remedial massage

• Clear assessment and explanation

• Targeted hands-on care and practical exercises

to help you move more freely and get back to your daily activities with less pain.

👉 Ready to get started?
Book an appointment with our team in East Brisbane today and let us help take the load off your neck and shoulders.

Book your appointment and take the first step towards a healthier, pain-free life.