1 in 4 Office Workers Suffer from Neck or Shoulder Pain — Is Your Posture to Blame?

Pain Relief Insights from Kingdom Chiropractic in Lewisville, TX

If you work at a desk all day, chances are your posture could be hurting more than just your back. According to research from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), 1 in 4 office workers experiences chronic neck or shoulder pain. Long hours at a computer, constant phone use, and slouched posture all contribute to what chiropractors call “tech neck.”

At Kingdom Chiropractic in Lewisville, TX, Dr. Darnell Brown, a licensed chiropractor and doctor of chiropractic (D.C.), helps patients relieve posture-related neck and shoulder pain using gentle, evidence-based chiropractic care. As a doctor specializing in chiropractic, Dr. Brown is trained to perform safe and effective spinal adjustments to address the root cause—not just mask the symptoms—so you can feel better, move easier, and focus pain-free.

If you’re ready to find relief from desk-related tension and stiffness, call our Lewisville chiropractic office at 972-261-9897 to schedule your personalized evaluation. We proudly serve Lewisville, Flower Mound, Highland Village, Coppell, and surrounding communities.

Kingdom Chiropractic Lewisville chiropractors

Why So Many Office Workers Experience Neck and Shoulder Pain

Modern work habits are a recipe for muscle strain and spinal misalignment. The average person spends over 6–8 hours a day sitting, often hunched forward toward a screen. Over time, this posture pulls your head and shoulders out of alignment, creating a domino effect of pain and tension throughout the upper body.

Here are some of the most common reasons office workers experience neck and shoulder pain:

Common causes include:

  • Forward head posture (looking down at a phone or laptop)
  • Rounded shoulders from slouching
  • Poor ergonomic setups with screens too low or too high
  • Repetitive stress from typing or mouse use
  • Lack of movement during the workday

When your head shifts just one inch forward, it adds roughly 10 pounds of pressure to the muscles and joints in your neck. Multiply that by hours every day, and it’s easy to see why neck and shoulder pain are so common among desk workers.

The Science: How Poor Posture Impacts Your Body

When posture breaks down, your spine and supporting muscles are forced to compensate. Misalignment can impact the bones of the spine (vertebrae) and their relationship to nerves and muscles, leading to:

  • Tightness in the neck, shoulders, and upper back
  • Headaches or migraines from tension in the cervical spine
  • Numbness or tingling from nerve compression
  • Reduced range of motion
  • Fatigue and stress-related pain

Scientific research published in the Journal of Physical Therapy Science found that posture correction through chiropractic adjustments and exercise can significantly reduce neck pain and improve muscle endurance, supporting the effectiveness of these evidence-based approaches.

Diagnostic Tools: How Chiropractors Assess Your Posture and Pain

When you visit a chiropractor for neck pain, back pain, or other musculoskeletal conditions, the first step is a thorough assessment to pinpoint the root cause of your discomfort. At Kingdom Chiropractic, we believe that understanding your unique posture and health history is essential for creating an effective treatment plan tailored to your needs.

During your initial visit, your chiropractor will start with a comprehensive physical exam. This includes a detailed postural analysis to check for any misalignments or tension in your spine and surrounding muscles. By observing how you sit, stand, and move, we can identify patterns that may be contributing to your pain or dysfunction.

A key part of the assessment is taking your medical history. We’ll ask about your daily routine, previous injuries, and any chronic pain or health issues you may have experienced. This information helps us understand how your musculoskeletal system and nervous system are functioning, and whether there are any underlying factors affecting your general health.

To get a clearer picture of your condition, we may use additional diagnostic tools such as range-of-motion tests and orthopedic tests. These simple, hands-on techniques allow us to evaluate your joint mobility and detect any areas of restricted movement or injury. In some cases, X-rays or other imaging technologies may be recommended to rule out more serious complications or to better visualize the alignment of your spine and other joints.

All of these diagnostic steps are designed to help us develop a personalized chiropractic treatment plan. Whether you’re dealing with chronic neck pain, lower back pain, headaches, or other symptoms, our goal is to provide effective treatment that addresses the source of your discomfort—not just the symptoms. Chiropractic care is a non-invasive, drug-free approach that can complement conventional medicine and physical therapy, offering relief for a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions.

The American Chiropractic Association encourages patients to seek chiropractic care for common reasons like back and neck pain, headaches, and joint dysfunction. By using a combination of manual therapy, spinal manipulation, and other proven techniques, chiropractors can help restore your normal range of motion and support your body’s natural healing process.

If you’re experiencing pain, stiffness, or other signs of postural imbalance, don’t wait for symptoms to worsen. Early assessment and chiropractic treatments can make a significant difference in your comfort, mobility, and overall health.

How Chiropractic Care Helps Correct Posture and Relieve Pain

1. Spinal Adjustments Restore Proper Alignment

A spinal adjustment is a key technique in chiropractic care. Misalignments in the cervical and thoracic spine can cause nerve irritation and muscle imbalance. A chiropractic adjustment is a specific procedure performed by a licensed chiropractor to correct these misalignments. The adjustment involves the application of controlled force to the joints of the spine, aiming to restore normal motion and alignment.

2. Muscle Therapy Relieves Tightness

Tight muscles in the neck and shoulders often hold your posture in a strained position. We use targeted soft tissue therapy, stretching, and trigger-point techniques to relax tight muscles and restore balance.

3. Ergonomic Coaching for Long-Term Relief

Our team will evaluate your sitting posture, desk setup, and screen height to recommend practical changes. Small ergonomic improvements—like proper monitor placement and chair height—can make a big difference in preventing pain.

4. Postural Exercises Build Strength and Stability

We’ll guide you through gentle exercises and stretches that strengthen your core and upper back muscles, improving your ability to maintain healthy posture naturally throughout the day.

Signs Your Posture May Be Hurting You

You may be experiencing posture-related pain if you notice:

  • Frequent neck stiffness or shoulder tension
  • Headaches after long hours at your desk
  • Upper back pain or tightness between the shoulder blades
  • Numbness or tingling in the arms or hands
  • Feeling fatigued or tense by the end of the workday

If these sound familiar, it’s time to have your spine and posture evaluated by a professional chiropractor. The earlier you address poor posture, the easier it is to reverse.

The Cost of Ignoring Postural Pain

Ignoring neck and shoulder pain doesn’t make it go away—it can make it worse, and ignoring symptoms can lead to worsening pain over time. Chronic strain leads to muscle imbalance, nerve irritation, and even degenerative changes in the cervical spine.

Condition

If Treated Early

If Left Untreated

Postural strain

~$100 for adjustments/exercises

$1,000+ for long-term therapy or, in some cases, eventual surgery

Chronic neck tension

~$200 for chiropractic care

$2,000+ for advanced rehab

Cervical disc issues

Preventable

$3,000+ for imaging, pain management, or injections

Early intervention not only saves money but also preserves your comfort and mobility.

Tips for Better Posture at Work

Simple changes can make a major impact on how your body feels:

  • Keep your screen at eye level to avoid looking down
  • Sit with your shoulders relaxed and feet flat on the floor
  • Take micro-breaks every 30–60 minutes to stretch or walk
  • Use a lumbar support cushion to maintain your natural curve
  • Hold your phone at eye level instead of looking down at it
  • Stay hydrated and move often—your muscles need circulation to stay healthy

Your Lewisville Chiropractor for Posture Correction and Pain Relief

At Kingdom Chiropractic, Dr. Brown and our team specialize in identifying postural imbalances and creating custom care plans to help you sit, stand, and move with ease again. Chiropractic care offers significant benefits for posture correction and pain relief, improving your overall quality of life. Our approach includes manual therapies as an important part of managing musculoskeletal issues. We combine:

  • Gentle spinal adjustments
  • Soft tissue therapy
  • Manual therapies
  • Posture training and ergonomic advice
  • Targeted strengthening and mobility exercises

Whether your pain is new or has been bothering you for years, our goal is to help you feel and function at your best—naturally.

Lewisville Chiropractor

Find Relief from Neck and Shoulder Pain Today

Neck and shoulder pain from poor posture doesn’t have to be part of your daily routine. With the right chiropractic care, you can restore balance, improve posture, and feel better at work and beyond.

Call our Lewisville chiropractor at 972‑261‑9897 to book your consultation today. We welcome patients from Lewisville, Highland Village, Flower Mound, Coppell, and surrounding areas—because life is better when your head doesn’t hurt.

Take the first step toward a healthier spine—and a more comfortable workday.

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