Av Ashley Ridout, Osteopath, Functional Rehab Specialist & Pain Educator

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Published on juni 12, 2026

Medically reviewed by Dr. Saloni Kabra, B.H.M.S.

When You’ve Tried Everything To Relieve The Neck Pain – But It Still Keeps Coming Back

You’ve probably already tried:

changing your pillow
using heat therapy before bed
stretching before bed
posture exercises
massage guns, physio, or mobility routines
constantly adjusting your desk or screen height

And yet… the pain still comes back.

By midday, tension starts building in the neck.

Then:

Some people wake up feeling exhausted despite a full night’s sleep.

At some point, many people start thinking:

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.

For years, people have blamed posture, screens, weak muscles, long hours at a desk, or what’s now often called “tech neck.”

And honestly, those things probably do play a role.

Men här är den överraskande sanningen:

“Tech neck” alone does not always explain why symptoms persist or recur.¹

In fact, many people with ergonomic workstations and excellent posture still experience recurring neck pain, while others with less-than-ideal posture remain symptom-free.

So what’s going on?

Why do some people keep hurting despite doing everything they can to relieve it?

What I See In Clinic (15+ Years, Thousands Of Cases)

I’ve been working as an osteopath for over 15 years, helping everyone from office workers and busy parents to active people recover from pain, move better, and feel more comfortable in their bodies again.

My work combines:

Over the years, I’ve worked with people dealing with chronic neck pain, headaches, repetitive strain injuries, frozen shoulders, jaw tension, and recurring pain that keeps returning no matter what they try.

And across all those cases, one pattern keeps showing up again and again:

people improve their posture and try to fix what they think is “tech neck” – but still wake up in pain.

Because often, the problem isn’t just the screen, the phone, or posture itself.

“In some cases, the nervous system may remain in a prolonged protective state.

When You’re Doing Everything Right – But Still In Pain

Some of my clients arrive convinced they’re dealing with “tech neck” or early neck degeneration.

Many people already do “all the right things”:

And honestly, those things often help temporarily.

And yet:

The problem often goes deeper than posture alone – even when those therapies are helping.

In some cases, heightened stress responses and muscle tension may contribute to persistent symptoms.

“Tech Neck” vs Muscle Tone – The Difference That Changes Therapy

“Tech neck” is the visible position of the body.
Muscle tone refers to the baseline level of activity within a muscle, even at rest.

Prolonged stress responses may contribute to increased resting muscle tension in some individuals. ²

That constant low-level tension can increase stiffness, reduce movement, and make the neck, shoulders, upper back – and sometimes even the lower back – feel stiff, strained, or painful.

It’s like the body never fully lets go – shoulders slightly raised, jaw tight, lower back braced.

Over time, this creates the very discomfort people end up blaming entirely on posture, screens, or “tech neck.”

The Nervous System’s Role In Neck Pain

The autonomic nervous system is often described as having two major branches:

In a healthy system, the body moves naturally between the two.

But deadlines, notifications, parenting, poor sleep, constant stimulation, and constant mental demands can keep the nervous system stuck in a more protective state.

Some people report feeling persistently tense or unable to relax, particularly during periods of ongoing stress.

And when the brain perceives stress or threat – even subconsciously – the body responds by increasing muscle tension and staying slightly guarded.

It’s like subtly shrugging your shoulders all day without fully realising it.

Over time, many people end up blaming posture alone – without realising the nervous system may be keeping the tension going underneath it.

The Vagus Nerve – Your Body’s “Calm Switch”

One of the main pathways connected to the body’s recovery state is the vagusnerv – a long nerve running from the brain down through the chest and abdomen.

When vagal ton is strong, the body can shift into a calmer, recovery state more easily.
Stronger vagal activity has been associated with improved recovery, relaxation, and sleep quality.

But when vagal tone is low, the nervous system stays more alert and protective.

Tension lingers.
Sleep becomes lighter.
And even small amounts of stress, screen time, or poor sleep can trigger another flare-up of symptoms.

Vad forskningen säger

The science backs up what I see in the clinic:

Even when people improve posture, stretch regularly, or try to “fix” their tech neck, the nervous system can still stay stuck in a prolonged stress response.

Research suggests chronic stress can increase pain sensitivity and protective muscle tension.

In such cases, taVNS (transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation) has been shown to:

Safety: More than 60 published studies on taVNS, including work associated with leading research institutions, report no serious adverse events when used appropriately.⁵ ⁶

This is also the same type of technology used in devices like Nurosym.

Where Tools Like Nurosym Can Help (At-Home Support)

I always try to identify the factors contributing to symptoms – not just temporarily calming the symptoms.

That means looking at how a person’s nervous system responds to stress, tension, poor sleep, and constant overload – not just treating the neck pain itself.

For some people, especially those who feel constantly tense or “switched on” despite stretching, physio, or healthy habits, I sometimes recommend additional nervous system support at home.

Because realistically, many people already struggle to find extra time for recovery.

Another appointment, another routine, another hour carved out of an already overloaded day isn’t always sustainable.

Vad det är: A CE-marked taVNS device that gently stimulates part of the ear connected to the vagus nerve.

Så fungerar det: It uses gentle electrical pulses delivered to part of the outer ear that is innervated by branches of the vagus nerve. Some users report improvements in relaxation and sleep, although individual responses vary and research is ongoing.

Some people use it while reading, working, eating lunch, or winding down in the evening.

Why I recommend it: Compared to many wellness tools on the market, Nurosym is supported by a growing body of research in autonomic nervous system regulation.

It’s inte a “quick fix” or miracle cure. But for some individuals, it may be a useful adjunct to broader strategies to support relaxation and recovery.

The Patterns I See Most Often

The Desk-Job Professional – Spends all day at a laptop, finishes work exhausted, but the neck and shoulders still can’t fully relax.

The “Tech Neck” Spiral – Keeps blaming posture, screens, or scrolling, yet the pain still returns, no matter how careful they become.

The Persistent Symptoms Case – Physio, stretching, massages, heat packs, posture exercises… but the tension and headaches keep creeping back.

The Restless Sleeper – Finally lies down at night, but the neck still feels tense, sleep stays light, and they wake up exhausted, no matter how long they stay in bed.

Who Might Benefit – And Who Shouldn’t Use It

Might benefit:

Desk-based workers dealing with recurring neck and shoulder pain
People whose “tech neck” symptoms keep returning despite physio or posture work
Those waking up stiff, tense, or with headaches after stressful days
People who feel constantly “on” and struggle to relax fully, even at rest

Undvik om:

Always follow medical advice before starting any new therapy or device.

Ett säkert sätt att prova på

I help sick people decide whether this is a good fit, set up the device correctly, and integrate it into a broader recovery plan.

Final Thoughts: Treat The System, Not Just The “Tech Neck”

Posture matters.
Movement matters.
Sleep, mobility, and ergonomics matter too.

But recurring neck pain is often bigger than just screens or how you hold your head.

Because for many people, the issue goes deeper than posture alone.

In some cases, it may reflect a body that struggles to switch off, even at night.

The result can be a body that feels continuously guarded and slightly “on,” even during rest.

And over time, the body starts carrying that load physically.

If you’ve been trying to fix your “tech neck” without lasting relief, it may be time to look deeper than posture alone.

Because sometimes, helping the nervous system feel safe again is what finally allows the body to relax.

If you want an assessment that looks beyond the surface, let’s talk.

Detta blogginlägg syftar till att vara informativt och bör inte ersätta professionell hälsorådgivning. Rådgör alltid med en vårdpersonal för personlig rådgivning.

Referenser

Kim, M. S. (2023). Influence of neck pain on cervical movement in the sagittal plane during smartphone use. PMC. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9982850/
Wolf, V., et al. (2021). Does transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation affect vagally mediated heart rate variability? A living and interactive Bayesian meta-analysis. Psychophysiology, 58(11), e13933. https://doi.org/10.1111/psyp.13933
Pacheco-Barrios, K., et al. (2024). Transauricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) enhances conditioned pain modulation (CPM) in healthy subjects: A randomized controlled trial. Brain Stimulation, 17(2), 346–348. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brs.2024.03.006
Ferreira, L. M. A., et al. (2024). Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation modulates masseter muscle activity, pain perception, and anxiety levels in university students: a double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial. Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience, 18, 1422312. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnint.2024.1422312
Redgrave, J., et al. (2018). Safety and tolerability of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation in humans: A systematic review. Brain Stimulation, 11(6), 1225–1238. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brs.2018.08.010
Kim, A. Y., et al. (2022). Safety of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS): A systematic review and meta-analysis. Scientific Reports, 12(1), 22055. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-25864-1

Osteopath Explains: If Your Neck Pain Keeps Coming Back, It May Not Just Be “Tech Neck” – But How Your Body Responds To Stress