Spine, Back & Neck
Neck Stiffness & Restricted Range of Motion
Difficulty turning or tilting the head, with or without much pain.
Also called: Stiff neck, Reduced neck movement.
Restriction can come from joint movement, muscle tone, guarding after an injury, or simply long-term postural load. Which of those applies changes what is recommended.
Stiffness without much pain is common and can be easy to dismiss, but it often reflects a real change in how the joints and muscles of the neck are working together.
Why this matters
Checking a blind spot while driving is the example almost everyone gives, and it is a reasonable functional marker to track over time.
Reduced neck movement can quietly limit activities like sport, sleep position or simply looking around a room, often before it becomes painful enough to notice.
The brain & nervous-system connection
Where the nervous system fits in
Head movement is part of how the brain coordinates vision and balance, so restriction is worth evaluating even when pain is mild.
Measuring actual range of motion, rather than relying on how limited it feels, gives an objective marker that can be tracked over the course of care.
What we look at
We look for patterns, not a single test
- Detailed health history and consultation
- NeuroInfiniti Stress Response Evaluation
- Posture and movement
- Balance and coordination testing
- Eye movement or neurological screening when appropriate
- Grip or motor-function testing when appropriate
- Palpation and spinal function
- Other examination procedures based on the individual
Not every person receives every test. What we perform depends on your history, your age and what the examination shows as we go.
Scope of care
What this does — and doesn't — mean
What we do
- • We evaluate chiropractic and musculoskeletal function.
- • We look at nervous-system-related functional findings that fall within our scope.
- • We assess movement, balance and coordination findings.
- • We measure stress-response patterns with the NeuroInfiniti evaluation.
- • We make individualized chiropractic care recommendations and re-measure over time.
What we don't claim
- • We do not diagnose, treat or cure diseases.
- • Chiropractic care is not a treatment for dementia, Alzheimer's disease or other neurological diseases.
- • Chiropractic care is not a replacement for medical care, testing or medication.
- • No outcome is promised. Results vary from person to person.
Common questions
- Will I be adjusted on the first visit?
- Generally no. The first visit is an evaluation visit. Dr. Geran reviews the findings and makes recommendations at the follow-up visit.
- Do I need imaging before I come in?
- Not usually. If your history or examination suggests imaging is needed, we will say so and help arrange the right next step.
When medical evaluation may be needed
Some symptoms need medical evaluation first. If anything in your history or examination suggests that, we will say so and help point you in the right direction.
Related at Foothills Chiropractic
- Joint Pain & Staying Active — Shoulders, hips, knees, ankles — extremity function matters as much as the spine.
- Achilles Tendinopathy — Pain and stiffness in the Achilles tendon, usually load-related.
- Ankle Pain — Pain or restriction at the ankle, often after an old injury.
- Ankle Sprain — Ligament injury from rolling or twisting the ankle.
Think Foothills Chiropractic might be right for you?
Start Here walks you through what the process looks like, so you can decide whether taking the next step makes sense for you.