Desk-Related Neck Pain & Headaches in a Remote Worker
Katherine Reardon, DPT | Living Well Center for Integrative Health – Essex Junction, VT
Patient: 35-year-old remote worker in Burlington
Primary concern: Daily neck tension, frequent headaches, difficulty working full days
The Challenge
Long hours at a computer produced progressive neck tightness and headaches that disrupted productivity and sleep. Over-the-counter medication was no longer enough.
Assessment & Integrated Plan
Evaluation of neck range of motion, posture, muscle strength/endurance, and workstation setup. The plan included:
Therapeutic exercise for deep neck flexors, scapular stabilizers, and postural endurance
Postural retraining and micro-break strategies
Workstation ergonomic adjustments
Cupping to modulate muscle tension and pain
Outcomes That Mattered
Fewer and less intense headaches across the workweek
Reduced end-of-day neck tightness and less reliance on pain medication
Easier time falling asleep with fewer nights disrupted by neck discomfort
Able to complete full remote workdays with greater comfort
Outcomes That Mattered to the Patient
Over the course of care, the patient reported:
Fewer and less intense headaches across the workweek
Reduced end‑of‑day neck tightness and less reliance on pain medication
Easier time falling asleep and fewer nights disrupted by neck discomfort
Privacy Notice: All case studies are fully anonymized and represent common conditions treated at Living Well. Results described in this case study reflect one patient's individual experience. Outcomes vary from person to person, and individual results are not guaranteed.