Neck Pain Chiropractor in Oakland

Neck Pain Care at The Shift Chiropractic

The Shift Chiropractic is a chiropractic clinic in downtown Oakland, California, providing chiropractic adjustment, soft tissue therapy, postural correction and rehabilitative exercise for neck pain, tension headaches, back pain, TMJ and extremity injuries. We have practiced at 435 8th Street #203, Oakland, CA 94607, on the corner of 8th and Broadway, since 2013. Same-day appointments are often available — a doctor is in the office six days a week.

Neck pain is one of the most common reasons people come to The Shift Chiropractic. Most of it traces back to the cervical spine — the seven vertebrae of the neck, the facet joints between them, and the muscles that hold your head up all day: the upper trapezius, levator scapulae and the suboccipital group at the base of the skull. When forward head posture loads those structures for hours at a time, the result is stiffness, restricted range of motion, myofascial trigger points, and the cervicogenic headaches that people usually mistake for eye strain.

Common causes of neck pain we see:

Forward head posture and prolonged screen work — see tech neck care, and how the estimated load on your neck climbs as your head tips forward
Old injuries, falls, or sports and training strain
Weak deep neck flexors and scapular stabilisers
Sleeping position and pillow height — see how to sleep when your neck hurts
Jaw clenching and TMJ dysfunction, which travels with upper cervical tension

Does your neck crack when you turn your head? See why necks crack, and what the pop actually is.

Chiropractor performing neck adjustment for pain relief at The Shift Chiropractic clinic in Oakland

How The Shift Chiropractic Can Help

The Shift Chiropractic focuses on finding the root cause of your neck pain rather than chasing the symptom. That means assessing the cervical spine alongside the thoracic spine, ribcage, shoulder girdle and jaw, since restriction in any of them changes how the neck has to work. If you sit at a desk all day, see our tech neck page; to understand how a plan gets built and what it costs, read how care works.

Techniques and services used for neck pain:

Cervical spine chiropractic adjustment for neck pain treatment in Oakland clinic The Shift Chiropractic

Manual and Instrument Adjusting

Manual cervical adjustment, drop-table (Thompson technique), or low-force instrument adjusting with the Arthro-Stimulator — matched to what your body tolerates, not a single default technique.

Chiropractor performing full spinal assessment

Full Spinal and Regional Assessment

Postural assessment, cervical range-of-motion testing, palpation of the facet joints and paraspinal musculature, and a neurological screening — plus the ribs, shoulder and collarbone that load the neck.

At-home neck exercise for spinal alignment and neck pain relief guided by chiropractic care at The Shift Chiropractic

Soft Tissue Work and At-Home Exercise

Myofascial release and soft tissue mobilisation for the upper trapezius and suboccipitals, plus cervical traction and deep neck flexor work you can do at your desk. This soft-tissue work is part of your adjustment visit, not a separate appointment.

What Your First Visit Involves

Neck pain rarely starts and stops at the neck, so the first visit looks at your upper back, ribs, shoulders and jaw as well. Your first visit usually runs up to an hour, one patient at a time, in a private room.

Your history. When it started, what makes it better or worse, your work and sleep, and anything you’ve already tried.
An assessment. Posture, movement and a neurological screening, including the areas above and below the one that hurts.
An explanation. What we found and what we suggest, before any adjustment. The plan, and how often to come in, is your decision.
Care, if you want it. Adjusting (manual, drop-table or low-force instrument), soft tissue work for the upper trapezius and the base of the skull, and specific exercises you can do at your desk.

Follow-up visits are shorter. If the exam shows the problem belongs with another provider, you’ll be told so and referred.

Who you’ll see

Dr. Ben Glass, D.C. — Tuesday and Thursday 7:30 am–12:15 pm and 2:15–6:15 pm, Saturday 7:30 am–1 pm. English or Spanish.
Dr. Irina Velichko, D.C. — Monday 10:30 am–1 pm and 2–6:30 pm, Wednesday 11 am–1 pm and 2:30–6:30 pm, Friday 10:30 am–1 pm. English or Russian.

435 8th Street #203, on the corner of 8th and Broadway in Downtown Oakland. Same-day appointments are often available — a doctor is in the office six days a week.

Neck Pain Questions

Can a chiropractor help with neck pain and headaches?

Chiropractic care addresses neck pain that comes from mechanical restriction in the cervical spine, the facet joints and the surrounding muscles. Some tension-type headaches are cervicogenic, meaning they start in the upper neck rather than the head itself, which is why the assessment includes the upper neck and the muscles at the base of the skull. At The Shift Chiropractic, the neck, upper back, ribcage, shoulders and jaw are assessed together, because restriction in any of them changes how the neck has to work. If your headaches need a medical workup, you’ll be told so.

What causes neck pain in desk workers?

Forward head posture is a common driver. Holding your head forward toward a screen increases the load on the upper trapezius, levator scapulae and suboccipital muscles for hours at a time. Over months that can produce stiffness, reduced range of motion, trigger points and tension headaches. It’s a loading pattern rather than a disease, which is why changing your workstation and habits matters as much as the care itself.

Is neck adjustment safe?

A neck adjustment should always follow an examination and a neurological screening, never come before one. The technique should also be matched to you: manual adjusting, drop-table and low-force instrument adjusting are all options, and the gentler ones are always available. If anything is uncomfortable, say so and the approach changes.

How many visits will I need?

It depends on how long the pattern has been building and what changes outside the office. Newer neck pain is usually seen more often at first, with visits spaced out over time. A long-standing postural pattern usually takes longer and depends partly on your workstation and habits. The recommended plan and its total cost are given to you in writing before you agree to anything.

Do I need a referral?

No referral is needed.

How long is the first visit?

A first visit usually runs up to an hour. It includes a full health history, a posture and movement assessment and a neurological screening, and we talk through what we found before any adjustment. Follow-up visits are shorter.

Can I come in early or on a Saturday?

Yes. Dr. Ben Glass starts at 7:30 am on Tuesdays and Thursdays and is in every Saturday from 7:30 am to 1 pm.

Do you take insurance?

We don’t bill insurance directly. You can use HSA or FSA funds, and we can provide a superbill if you’d like to submit for out-of-network reimbursement yourself. Some employers offer wellness benefits that can help cover chiropractic care. Check with your HR team.

Reading on Neck Pain, Headaches and Posture

Is cracking your neck bad? — what the pop is, what the research says about neck manipulation and rare artery tears, and when to get urgent care.
Tension and neck-related headaches — urgent warning signs, what the exam checks, and what the research says, including on migraine.
Three exercises for text neck — specific work for forward head posture you can do at a desk.
Seven strategies for spinal health — the habits that keep the neck and upper back working between visits.

For screen and desk-related neck strain specifically, see tech neck care. Where jaw clenching is part of the pattern, see TMJ and jaw care.

Neck Pain Chiropractor in Oakland: Neck, Headache and Tech Neck Care