Neck Pain Treatment

Neck Pain. Stop Treating the Symptom. Fix the Cause.

Neck pain isn’t “just tight muscles.”
It’s your body’s alarm system telling you something needs to change.

At Hustle Hut Health & RX Physiotherapy, we specialise in finding the real driver behind the pain — not just rubbing the sore spot.

Often the culprits are stiff or overloaded joints, weak postural muscles, irritated nerves, stress-driven muscle guarding, or simply movement habits shaped by screens and sitting.

We don’t just crack your neck and send you on your way.

Our physios take your whole body into account.
We assess how your neck, shoulders and upper back are working together.
We calm angry muscles and nerves with hands-on treatment.
We build strength where you’re missing it (because yes — strength fixes neck pain).
And we retrain your movement so your neck stops slipping back into old patterns.

Because if the system that created the pain doesn’t change, the pain keeps returning.

Why Strength Matters

The small muscles that support your neck fatigue fast.
When they give out, bigger muscles grip down, tighten and guard.
That tension isn’t weakness — it’s your body protecting itself.

Rebuild strength → restore control → reduce sensitivity → stay pain-free.

Who We Help

People with desk-related stiffness.
Athletes with shoulder and neck overload.
Headache and migraine sufferers.
Anyone who’s “tried everything” and keeps ending up back at square one.

Our Approach to Neck Rehabilitation

At RX Physiotherapy, we believe in a highly personalised approach to Neck rehabilitation. Here’s how our programme works:

We start with a comprehensive initial consultation to understand your specific goals and assess the current condition of your Neck. During this session, we’ll discuss your medical history and how your Neck issues are affecting your daily life. This evaluation helps us design a fully customised rehabilitation plan that addresses your specific needs. 

Your first session builds the foundation for everything that follows. You leave with clarity and a concrete plan.

  • Clear diagnosis and explanation of your condition

  • Written treatment plan outlining what to avoid and what to focus on

  • Exercises loaded into our app with video demos

  • Pain and rep tracking so we can adjust based on real data

We restore healthy movement by combining hands-on treatment with targeted exercise in the right order.

  • Massage, dry needling, cupping and joint techniques as needed

  • Release guarded, overprotective muscles so they can actually activate

  • Restore joint range of motion and control

  • Begin graded movement and load through full, comfortable range

Once you’re moving well, we build strength and resilience so the same problem is far less likely to return.

  • Progressive strength training for muscles, tendons and joints

  • Balance, stability and control around the injured area

  • Sport- or lifestyle-specific loading (lifting, running, work tasks)

  • Build confidence so you can trust your body again

We’ve taught you how to move and train; now we help you keep it going long-term, with support when you need it.

  • Strength and recovery memberships to maintain results

  • Periodic physio check-ins to course-correct early

  • Education so you understand what keeps your body feeling good

  • A trusted team to return to when life gets hectic again

If your Neck pain keeps coming back, it’s not your fault.

You just haven’t had a plan that fixes the cause — not the surface tension.

The right assessment, the right plan, and the right hands can change everything.
Whether your goal is to turn your neck without wincing, get through a workday pain-free, or lift, train and perform again — we’ll help you get there with clarity, confidence and strength.

 

Book an assessment today and take your neck off the defensive.

Want to learn more? Check out our Neck Pain Blog below!

Text Neck
“Text neck” is the modern-day posture problem we’ve all become a little too familiar with. It happens when we spend long periods looking down at our phones, tablets, or laptops, placing extra strain on the neck and upper back. What most people don’t realise is just how quickly the load builds: even a 15-degree forward tilt can add around 12 kg of force through the cervical spine. Over time, this increased pressure can lead to persistent muscle tension, headaches, reduced neck mobility, nerve irritation, and even early wear on the joints and discs. In other words, the more time your head hangs forward, the harder your neck has to work — and the more likely those annoying, lingering symptoms become.
BOOK NOW
PODCAST: "TMJ Pain and Neck Connections Explained"
Discover the intricacies of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, how it connects with neck issues and practical insights into managing jaw pain effectively. We explore TMJ anatomy, the impact of clenching, and crucial connections between jaw health and neck stability. Learn how posture influences TMJ function and gain insights into managing TMJ issues related to hypermobility. So, whether you’re navigating everyday jaw discomfort or seeking deeper understanding, join us on this journey into TMJ health.
Listen Now
Neck tension is one of the most common complaints worldwide: Around 35–40% of people will experience neck pain in a given year. Globally, over 200 million people live with neck pain annually. Often, the real culprit isn’t your neck — it’s your shoulders and upper back. Weak or tight shoulder muscles can pull your posture out of alignment, leaving your neck doing all the heavy lifting.
BOOK NOW
April-Patterson-rx-physiotherapy.png
Dr. April Patterson

Physiotherapist

Dr. April Patterson graduated from Bond University with a Doctor of Physiotherapy degree and founded RX Physiotherapy in 2019 with a vision to provide exceptional, personalised care. As a physiotherapist living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), hypermobility, and Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) issues, April brings a rare combination of personal insight and professional expertise to her practice. Her own experiences with these conditions fuel her passion for understanding and treating them, allowing her to empathise deeply with her patients and guide them with authenticity and compassion.

April has a huge passion for in EDS, Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD), and TMJ dysfunction, while also treating all joints and musculoskeletal conditions. She personally conducts initial assessments to understand each patient’s story, goals, and challenges before referring them to her highly skilled team for ongoing care. Her holistic, evidence-based approach blends manual therapy, strength and conditioning, pain management, and education to help clients regain function, confidence, and independence.

As Managing Director, April maintains the highest standard of care through weekly team sessions to review progress, provide guidance, and support professional development. This ensures that every patient receives structured, personalised care, while allowing her to focus on leadership, strategy, and advancing the clinic’s mission.

Outside the clinic, April enjoys hitting the gym, cooking, and spending quality time with her partner, her two dachshunds and two cats.

profile-photo
Ms. Laura Flemming

Physiotherapist

Laura is a senior physiotherapist with six years of experience across hospital, private practice, community, and sports settings. She began her career at Wollongong Hospital before moving to Sydney, where she expanded her skills in musculoskeletal rehab, neurological rehab, and community-based care. During this time she became a Level 1 Strength and Conditioning Coach and worked with junior representative soccer teams in the St George region. Now back in the Illawarra, she’s excited to support her local community again.

Laura’s approach is grounded in understanding the individual—what they value, what they hope to achieve, and how their condition impacts their life. She focuses on meaningful outcomes through a blend of manual therapy, strength training, pain management, patient education, and personalised rehabilitation programs. Her experience spans acute and chronic injuries, post-operative rehab, strength and endurance training, falls prevention, and neurological conditions including stroke and brain injury.

She has a strong interest in working with people with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD), and she brings extensive experience supporting participants within the NDIS. She also specialises in treating TMJ/jaw dysfunction, helping clients reduce pain, improve mobility, and address the muscular and biomechanical factors contributing to their symptoms. Her calm, collaborative style helps clients feel understood, supported, and confident navigating long-term conditions.

Outside the clinic, you’ll find Laura hiking up mountains, writing music, playing soccer, or training for the occasional triathlon or running event.

Whether you’re managing pain, recovering from an injury, or navigating a complex condition like EDS, HSD, or TMJ dysfunction, Laura can help with all joints and musculoskeletal concerns, guiding you with structure, clarity, and genuine care.

Mr. Trent Cooksley

Physiotherapist

Trent is a physiotherapist who genuinely cares about people — the kind who listens properly, meets you where you’re at, and helps you feel comfortable from the moment you walk in. He has that big brother energy; calm, thoughtful, easy to talk to, and always looking out for you. His focus is simple — helping you move better, feel stronger, and get back to the things that matter to you, whether that’s training, sport, work, or living life without pain.

He treats a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, including shoulder, knee, lower back, neck, and ankle injuries, and works with people of all ages and activity levels. Trent’s approach is hands-on, structured, and tailored to the individual. He’s not about quick fixes or generic programs — he takes the time to understand your body, your goals, and what’s been holding you back, then builds a clear plan to help you move forward with confidence.

Born and raised in Wollongong, Trent grew up immersed in sport. He played soccer with the Woonona Sharks and was involved in everything from tennis and golf to swimming, footy, cricket, and AFL. As a teenager, golf became his focus, earning him a place in the IAS Golf Program and later a college golf scholarship in Abilene, Texas. Experiencing injuries firsthand — and seeing how physiotherapy restored his performance — shaped the way he now supports others through injury, rehab, and long-term recovery.

Outside the clinic, Trent is easygoing, down-to-earth, and approachable. You’ll find him on the golf course, in the surf, or catching up with friends. That same calm, supportive energy carries into his sessions, helping clients feel at ease, understood, and supported every step of the way.

If you’re dealing with pain, injury, or ongoing frustration with your body, Trent is someone you can trust to have your back — and help you move with clarity, confidence, and strength again.

Ms. Emily Yorkston

Physiotherapist

Emily is a senior physiotherapist with extensive experience across musculoskeletal, neurological, orthopaedic, women’s health, and paediatric physiotherapy. She has worked in a wide range of clinical settings, including rural outreach programs and allied health leadership roles, which have shaped her holistic, collaborative, and genuinely client-centred approach to care.

Emily is a highly empathetic physiotherapist with lived experience of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), giving her a rare and deeply personal understanding of the physical, emotional, and day-to-day challenges faced by people living with complex and chronic conditions. She has a strong clinical interest in hypermobility (HSD, EDS), TMJ and jaw dysfunction and women’s health, and has completed APA Women’s Health Level 1 training. Emily is skilled in assessing and treating all joints and a broad range of musculoskeletal presentations, from everyday pain to complex, multi-system conditions.

She is passionate about helping clients achieve meaningful, sustainable, long-term outcomes. Emily combines personalised rehab programs, hands-on manual therapy, and targeted rehabilitation strategies to improve function, build confidence, and restore independence. Her care is structured, evidence-based, and highly individualised, ensuring every client feels informed, supported, and actively involved in their recovery.

Outside the clinic, Emily enjoys travelling and exploring new experiences, bringing fresh perspective and energy back into her work. She is known for her warm, calm, and motivating style, helping clients feel safe, understood, and empowered throughout their rehabilitation journey.

If you’re living with pain, recovering from injury, or navigating a complex condition such as EDS, HSD, TMJ dysfunction, women’s health concerns, or any musculoskeletal issue, you don’t have to do it alone. Book an appointment with Emily today to receive thoughtful, personalised care and take the next step toward moving with greater comfort, confidence, and trust in your body again.

Mr-Reece-Nikitaras.png
Mr Reece Nikitaras

Physiotherapist

Reece Nikitaras is deeply passionate about optimising human movement and enhancing quality of life through targeted rehabilitation and evidence-based therapeutic techniques. His journey into physiotherapy was driven by a genuine desire to help individuals overcome physical barriers and reach their full potential.

As an avid runner, Reece brings both personal insight and clinical expertise to the treatment of running-related injuries. He is particularly dedicated to helping runners recover from injury, prevent future setbacks, and elevate their performance. Reece has developed a comprehensive running assessment protocol designed to identify biomechanical inefficiencies and areas of weakness, allowing for tailored interventions that support long-term improvement and injury prevention.

Reece also holds a strong clinical interest in knee rehabilitation, with an in-depth understanding of knee biomechanics and the complex nature of knee injuries. He implements highly specialised, results-driven treatment plans to restore function and accelerate recovery in clients dealing with knee concerns.

Always eager to stay at the forefront of his field, Reece consistently seeks out new knowledge and incorporates the latest advancements in physiotherapy research into his practice. His commitment to continuous learning ensures he delivers the highest standard of care to every patient.

Outside of the clinic, Reece enjoys travelling, spending time at the beach, and playing a round of golf.