The neck’s quiet role in how the whole body functions
When people think about neck issues, they usually think about stiffness, soreness, or a bad pillow.
But research into how the cervical spine is innervated shows that the neck (particularly its joints) plays a much bigger role in how the body experiences pain, stress, and regulation than most people realise.
In fact, scientific studies suggest that neck dysfunction can influence the nervous system far beyond the neck itself. Which means when symptoms show up elsewhere, the neck shouldn’t automatically be ruled out.
The Neck Is a Nervous System Hub
A review of cervical spine innervation by researcher Gillian M. Johnson highlights that the neck is supplied by a combination of:
- standard sensory nerves (which report movement and pain), and
- sympathetic nerves (part of the autonomic “fight or flight” system)
This overlap is a defining feature of the cervical spine and helps explain why neck problems can have global effects, not just local pain.
The nerves supplying the joints of the neck don’t just send simple “this hurts” messages: they influence how the nervous system responds overall.
Why Neck Dysfunction Can Create Distant or Confusing Symptoms
Johnson’s review describes how sensory nerves from cervical joints can:
- travel along sympathetic (autonomic) nerve pathways
- activate nerve cells across multiple spinal levels, not just one
- contribute to pain patterns that don’t follow neat anatomical maps
This helps explain why people experience symptoms such as:
- headaches or facial pain without head injury
- shoulder, upper back, or arm discomfort linked to the neck
- dizziness or balance disturbances
- symptoms that flare during stress or fatigue
- pain that feels “off”, vague, or hard to localise
The nervous system doesn’t always interpret joint irritation as a local problem. It can respond system-wide.
Joint Health Changes How Nerves Behave
One of the more important findings discussed in the research is that nerve cells connected to spinal joints change their chemistry depending on joint health.
When a cervical joint is irritated:
- pain-related neurochemicals increase
- nerve sensitivity rises
- signals become easier to trigger and harder to calm
Over time, this can lead to:
- ongoing symptoms even after the original issue has passed
- heightened sensitivity to normal stress or movement
- a nervous system that stays on “high alert”
This means persistent symptoms aren’t imagined: they reflect real, measurable changes in nerve behaviour.
Why the Upper Cervical Spine Is Especially Relevant
The research also highlights that the upper cervical spine has distinctive nerve supply patterns.
In this region:
- nerves interact closely with the coverings of the brain
- sympathetic nerves travel alongside the vertebral arteries
- sensory input overlaps with pathways involved in head and face pain
Because of this, dysfunction in the upper neck is often associated with:
- cervicogenic headaches
- head, face, or eye pain
- symptoms that feel neurological rather than muscular
This doesn’t mean every symptom originates in the upper neck, but it does mean it should not be overlooked, especially when symptoms are persistent or unexplained.
A Broader Way of Thinking About Symptoms
One of the most common things people say is:
“I didn’t think this had anything to do with my neck.”
And often, that’s true, it’s not just the neck.
But research shows the neck is frequently part of the bigger picture, influencing how the nervous system processes pain, stress, and sensory information.
When cervical joint health is ignored, care can become fragmented, focused on treating isolated symptoms rather than understanding how the body is coordinating itself as a whole.
What This Means for Care at Kindred
At Kindred Chiropractic, our approach reflects this research:
- we assess cervical joint health as part of global nervous system function
- we don’t assume symptoms are “just muscular”
- we use precise, individualised care rather than generic adjustments
Our goal isn’t to blame the neck for everything… it’s to make sure it isn’t missed when it matters.
The Takeaway
Neck dysfunction doesn’t always present as neck pain.
Research into cervical nerve supply shows it can influence pain patterns, stress responses, and nervous system regulation throughout the body.
When symptoms don’t quite make sense, the neck deserves consideration, not dismissal.
Research reference
Johnson, G.M. (2003). The sensory and sympathetic nerve supply within the cervical spine: review of recent observations.
Manual Therapy, 8(4), 181–190. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1356-689X(03)00093-6
About the Author
Dr Carita de Jong is a Blair upper cervical chiropractor and the founder of Kindred Chiropractic in Browns Bay, Auckland. She has advanced postgraduate training in Blair Upper Cervical Chiropractic and is a Blair Upper Cervical Certified Instructor, a role that involves teaching and mentoring other chiropractors in precise upper cervical assessment and care.
Her clinical focus centres on the relationship between joint health, the nervous system, and how the body adapts to physical and emotional stress. Dr Carita has a particular interest in complex, persistent symptoms that don’t always respond to conventional approaches, and in helping people understand their bodies as integrated systems rather than isolated parts.
At Kindred, her work is grounded in careful assessment, individualised care, and a nervous-system-first approach that supports long-term function for individuals and families.