Orthopedic · Hawaii Island
Physical therapy for neck pain and headaches in Hawaii Island
Neck pain is nearly as common as back pain, and most of it is driven by hours of screen time, a stiff upper back, and weak deep neck muscles. Those are all things exercise changes.
- TRICARE, HMSA, and HMSA QUEST in-network
- No state referral requirement; some plans need one
- Video visits anywhere in Hawaii Island
About the condition
Neck pain and headaches: what is going on.
The neck carries the head over a thoracic spine that, for most adults, has stiffened from years of sitting. The result is a forward head, overworked muscles at the base of the skull and across the shoulders, and the stiffness, pain, and headaches that follow. Some people also have nerve symptoms into the arm from a narrowed opening in the spine. Whiplash, poor sleep positions, and stress tighten the whole pattern.
Physical therapy for neck pain restores mobility in the upper back and neck, strengthens the muscles that hold the head up with less effort, and addresses the workstation and sleep habits that keep the problem going.
Common experiences
What people with neck pain and headaches often describe
These are the patterns Dr. Shalem hears most often. Any of them is a reason to book a discovery call.
Stiffness and pain turning the head
Pain at the base of the skull or headaches that start in the neck
Aching across the upper shoulders by the end of the workday
Pain, tingling, or numbness into the arm or hand
Difficulty finding a comfortable sleep position
Pain after a car accident or fall
Treatment
How physical therapy addresses it.
The program includes mobility work for the upper back and neck, deep neck flexor and shoulder blade strengthening, nerve mobility exercises when arm symptoms are present, and specific workstation, pillow, and screen adjustments. Headache frequency and neck rotation are tracked as progress markers.
What a video visit looks like
Dr. Shalem watches posture and neck movement on camera, can see the actual desk setup, and progresses exercises with form checks. A towel and a doorway are the only equipment most plans need.
Coverage in Hawaii
Insurance and pricing
Bring your plan name to the discovery call and we confirm your physical therapy benefit before the first visit.
TRICARE
In-network (TRICARE West). TRICARE Select members can book directly with no referral. TRICARE Prime members need a referral from their primary care manager, and we tell you exactly what to ask for.
HMSA
In-network with HMSA PPO and HMO plans. Some HMSA plans require a referral from your primary care provider; we check yours before the first visit.
HMSA QUEST
In-network with HMSA QUEST (Hawaii Medicaid). We confirm coverage before your first visit.
Private pay
Available for any other plan. HSA and FSA cards accepted.
Referrals
Hawaii allows you to start physical therapy without a physician referral. Your insurance plan may still ask for one (TRICARE Prime and some HMSA plans do), and we check that for you before the first visit.
Every district of Hawaii Island is seen by video, from Hilo and Puna to Kona, Kohala, and Kau.
Questions
Questions people ask about neck pain and headaches
How it works
How a virtual visit works
Dr. Shalem watches posture and neck movement on camera, can see the actual desk setup, and progresses exercises with form checks. A towel and a doorway are the only equipment most plans need.
Discovery call
15 minutes, free, by phoneA short call to hear what is going on, explain how visits work, and check insurance or pricing. No pressure to book.
Evaluation
60 minutes, by videoDr. Shalem takes a full history, watches how you move and breathe, and guides the self-assessments she needs to build a plan.
Your plan
Same visitYou leave the evaluation with a plain-language explanation and a short home program, usually a few minutes a day.
Follow-ups
45 minutes, every 1 to 2 weeksProgress checks, program updates, and techniques you can do yourself, for as long as they are useful.
For a video visit you will need
- A phone, tablet, or laptop with a camera
- A private room
- A mat or towel
- About an hour
Questions
Neck pain and headaches questions in Hawaii Island
Can neck pain cause headaches?
Yes. Cervicogenic headaches start in the upper neck joints and muscles and are felt at the back of the head, behind the eye, or at the temple. They respond well to physical therapy.
What about tingling in my hand?
Arm symptoms often come from the neck. The program includes nerve mobility work, and signs that need medical evaluation are screened.
How should I set up my desk?
That is covered at the first visit, with the patient's actual desk on camera.
Do I need a referral for physical therapy in Hawaii?
Hawaii allows you to start physical therapy without a physician referral. Your insurance plan may still ask for one (TRICARE Prime and some HMSA plans do), and we check that for you before the first visit.
What insurance do you take in Hawaii?
TRICARE: In-network (TRICARE West). TRICARE Select members can book directly with no referral. TRICARE Prime members need a referral from their primary care manager, and we tell you exactly what to ask for. HMSA: In-network with HMSA PPO and HMO plans. Some HMSA plans require a referral from your primary care provider; we check yours before the first visit. HMSA QUEST: In-network with HMSA QUEST (Hawaii Medicaid). We confirm coverage before your first visit. Private pay: Available for any other plan. HSA and FSA cards accepted.
Your physical therapist
Dr. Elana Shalem, DPT
Doctor of Physical Therapy, University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, Miami. Licensed in Hawaii.
Dr. Shalem treats pelvic health for women and men, from pregnancy and postpartum recovery to bladder, bowel, and pelvic pain conditions and recovery after prostate or pelvic surgery, and general orthopedic conditions of the back, neck, hips, knees, shoulders, and feet. Visits are one-on-one and unhurried, and she explains what she is seeing in plain language.
More about Dr. ShalemPrefer to write? Send a message.
Questions about insurance, pricing, or whether physical therapy is the right next step? We reply within one business day.
Start with a free 15-minute call.
Tell us what is going on, hear how Dr. Shalem would approach it, and decide from there.