Neck Pain and Stiffness Relief in Mineola, NY

MULLIGAN CONCEPT

Neck Pain and Stiffness

Most neck pain comes from stiff, irritated joints and tired, overworked muscles rather than serious damage. At Enhanced Physical Therapy in Mineola, Dr. Jacob Kurian uses gentle Mulligan SNAGs and NAGs to help your neck turn and tilt more freely without pain, then adds exercise and simple daily changes so the improvement lasts.

Certified Mulligan Practitioner Over 10 Years of Experience

Our clinics director is a Certified Mulligan Practitioner (CMP) with over a decade
of experience using this evidence-based approach. Each treatment is customized to
your specific diagnosis and movement limitations to achieve optimal outcomes.

Common signs of neck pain and stiffness

Stiffness turning or tilting your head
Aching at the base of the skull or across the shoulders
Pain that builds through a day at a desk or behind the wheel
Trouble checking your blind spot while driving
A neck that feels tight first thing in the morning

What causes it

Long hours at a laptop or phone, a poor pillow, stress, commuting and sudden movements are common triggers. Age-related changes in the neck are normal and often cause no pain at all, so we focus on how your neck moves and what eases it.

How we examine it

We ask about your work, sleep and driving, check neck, upper back and shoulder movement, and screen for anything that needs a doctor first. Then we test Mulligan glides: if a gentle, sustained glide on one level of the neck lets you turn further with less pain, we know where to work.

Mulligan techniques we use

Cervical SNAGs. Dr. Kurian holds a gentle glide on one vertebra while you turn, tilt or look up. The movement should feel easier and pain-free during the technique.
NAGs. Natural Apophyseal Glides: gentle, rhythmic glides of the mid and lower neck in sitting. Very comfortable and well suited to older necks.
Reverse NAGs. Glides for the lower neck and upper back, often helpful when you sit with your head forward.
Self-SNAGs. We teach you to repeat the glide at home with a towel so progress continues between visits.

What the research says

A 2025 review of 33 studies found SNAGs work best as part of combined care for longer-standing neck pain rather than as a stand-alone treatment. Trials in older adults and in desk workers have reported improvements in pain and movement. Most of the benefit is short term, which is why we always pair Mulligan techniques with exercise.

What else is in your treatment plan

Your plan combines SNAGs or NAGs with deep neck and upper back strengthening, a short home routine, and practical advice for your desk, car and pillow.

How long recovery takes

Recent neck pain often eases within 2 to 4 weeks. Neck pain that has lasted months usually needs 6 to 8 weeks of consistent work.

If you are over 65

Neck stiffness is very common after 60, and you don't have to accept it as part of aging. NAGs are among the gentlest Mulligan techniques and suit older necks well. Before any hands-on work, we ask about osteoporosis, blood thinners, rheumatoid arthritis and past neck injuries, and we adjust pressure to your comfort.

When to see a doctor first

Call your doctor, or get urgent care, if you have any of the following:

Dizziness, double vision, trouble speaking or swallowing, or sudden falls
Neck pain after a car accident or fall with numbness or weakness
Clumsy hands or trouble with balance
Fever with a stiff neck
A sudden, severe headache

Neck pain and stiffness treatment near Mineola

Enhanced Physical Therapy is at 137 Willis Ave, Suite 100, Mineola, NY 11501, a short walk from NYU Langone Hospital-Long Island. We see patients from Mineola, Garden City, Williston Park, New Hyde Park, Carle Place, Westbury, Albertson and Manhasset, and across central Nassau County.

Frequently asked questions

What causes a stiff neck?

Usually stiff, irritated joints and tired muscles, often linked to desk work, phone use, driving or sleep position.

Is Mulligan therapy safe for the neck?

Mulligan techniques are gentle glides with you in control of the movement, and they must stay pain-free. We screen everyone before hands-on treatment.

Does Mulligan treatment involve cracking the neck?

No. Mulligan techniques are slow, sustained glides while you move. There is no thrust or cracking.

How many visits will I need?

Many people need 4 to 8 visits with home exercise in between, depending on how long the neck has been stiff.

Written and clinically reviewed by Jacob Kurian, PT, MSPT, CMP, DPT, Certified Mulligan Practitioner, Enhanced Physical Therapy, Mineola NY. Last updated October 14, 2026.

Move Better, Feel Better

If this is limiting your work, sleep or activity, call Enhanced Physical Therapy at (516) 833-5880 to book an evaluation with Jacob Kurian, Certified Mulligan Practitioner. Mulligan treatment may help reduce pain and improve movement, and we will tell you honestly what to expect.