
Neck Pain Shouldn't Sideline Your Training Goals
You're motivated to train hard, but persistent neck pain is limiting your performance and keeping you from the workouts you love.
Your Lifts Are Suffering
Every overhead press, snatch, or pull-up sends shooting pain through your neck. You're forced to scale back or skip movements entirely, watching your progress stall.
Sleep and Daily Life Are Affected
The pain doesn't stop when you leave the gym. Desk work is uncomfortable, driving causes stiffness, and you can't find a comfortable sleeping position.
Generic PT Isn't Working
You've tried traditional physical therapy where you share your therapist's time with 3 other patients, doing cookie-cutter exercises that don't address your specific athletic goals.

Why Cary Athletes Choose Us for Neck Pain Relief
At Ground to Overhead Physical Therapy, we specialize in getting active adults and athletes back to peak performance. No referrals, no waiting rooms full of patients, no generic exercise sheets.
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Always 1-on-1: Full 60-minute appointments dedicated entirely to you and your goals
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Athlete-Focused Care: Dr. Tank is a CrossFit Level 1 Trainer, CSCS, and competitive athlete who understands your training demands
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3-Step Process: Fix your pain fast, address the root cause, and learn how to prevent it from coming back
"Dr. Michael Tancini 'Tank' is knowledgeable and truly dedicated to patient success. He took time to listen to my issues - which were shoulder/rotator cuff related and knee pain. I am a Crossfit Athlete and enjoy doing pullups, squats, running etc. My shoulder and knee pain limited my ability to do the things I loved. Dr. Tank is knowledgeable and has an encouraging and professional beside manner. Through simple but effective exercises, I was able to go back to doing what I love in just a short few months."
Hayley Gallagher
Our Proven 3-Step Process to Eliminate Neck Pain
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Step 1: Fix Your Pain, Fast
Using hands-on manual therapy, dry needling, cupping, and targeted soft tissue work, we provide immediate relief so you can start moving better right away.
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Step 2: Fix The Root Cause
We identify the movement patterns, muscle imbalances, and mobility restrictions causing your neck pain through comprehensive functional movement assessment and running gait analysis.
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Step 3: Keep It From Coming Back
You'll learn specific exercises, movement corrections, and training modifications to prevent future injuries and maintain peak performance long after you leave our clinic.
Neck Pain Conditions We Treat in Cary
Specialized Care for Active Adults and Athletes
Whether your neck pain stems from poor posture, training injuries, or chronic conditions, we have the expertise to help you recover.
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Cervical spine pain from overhead lifts, pull-ups, and Olympic weightlifting
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Neck stiffness and tension headaches from desk work and poor posture
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Rotator cuff and shoulder impingement causing referred neck pain
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Post-injury rehabilitation for whiplash, strains, and sports-related trauma

Real Results From Athletes in Cary and Beyond
Jessi N.
"Dr. Tancini is an expert in his craft! After having a re-occurring injury for over 5 years, after seeing him, it's finally under control and I'm able to better understand it and manage it. He does much more than just fix injuries - he teaches you proactive techniques to prevent it from coming back, and helpful resources and solutions to correct it. Hands down, the best PT I've ever worked with and I highly recommend him! Whether you are a competitive athlete or just looking to maintain good health, he's awesome and worth checking out!"
Brian M.
"Dr. Tancini was great to work with! He listened to my goals and worked with me and my schedule to help achieve them. My PT program was personalized to my needs and my ability level. He's very experienced with patients from a lot of different backgrounds, and his personal experience as an athlete gives him a unique perspective on physical therapy. He uses every tool in the PT toolbox to help you get back and be stronger than ever. He places an emphasis on moving the right way, rehabbing the right way, and optimizing all of the components of your health. He was also honest with me about expected timeline and results, which was really helpful. Would definitely work with him again!
Doug B.
"I came to Dr. Tancini with crippling back pain that visits to the orthopedic surgeon and multiple shots to the spine could not resolve. As someone who works out all the time, I was so relieved when in the matter of weeks I was pain free and able to begin working out again. I can't recommend him enough."
Rated 5.0 Stars on Google with 24+ Reviews
About
Meet Dr. Michael Tancini: Your Shoulder Pain Specialist
Competitive Athlete. Doctor of Physical Therapy.
Dr. Michael Tancini, DPT
Doctor of Physical Therapy, CSCS
Board-Certified Orthopedic Specialist and competitive functional fitness athlete. Specializes in shoulder pain, rotator cuff injuries, and CrossFit-related rehabilitation. Certified in dry needling, blood flow restriction training, and Pose Method running analysis.
Orthopedic Clinical Specialist Dr. Tancini holds the prestigious OCS credential from the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties, representing advanced clinical expertise in orthopedic and sports physical therapy.
Strength & Conditioning Expert As a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and CrossFit Level 1 Trainer, Dr. Tancini understands the unique demands of high-intensity training and athletic performance.
Movement Specialist Certified in Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA) and Functional Movement Screen (FMS) to identify and correct the root causes of shoulder dysfunction and pain.
Advanced Techniques Utilizes dry needling, blood flow restriction training, and manual therapy techniques to accelerate recovery and restore shoulder function for active individuals.
Performance-Focused Approach Pairs hands-on manual skills with strength and conditioning knowledge to help athletes return to peak performance, not just basic function. Lives by the motto: 'Be a little bit better. Every. Single. Day.'

Visit Our Cary Physical Therapy Clinic
Email:
Office:
305G Ashville Ave, Cary, NC 27518
Conveniently Located Near Major Cary Landmarks
We're located at 305g Ashville Ave in Cary, easily accessible from all parts of the city.
Phone:
(919) 960-1351
Just 8 minutes from Downtown Cary via Kildaire Farm Rd and Tryon Rd. We're located at 305g Ashville Ave, only 0.5 miles from Centrum @ Crossroads and 0.8 miles from Macgregor Village. Pass Cary Town Hall on your way and you'll find us near Ashworth Village Shopping Center.
Common Questions About Neck Pain Physical Therapy
Everything you need to know about getting started
1. Do I need a physician referral to start neck pain physical therapy?
No! In North Carolina, you can come directly to us without a physician referral, saving you time and money. We'll evaluate your neck pain and create a personalized treatment plan in your first 60-minute appointment.
2. How long are appointments and will I share my therapist's time?
Every appointment is a full 60 minutes of 1-on-1 time with Dr. Tank. You'll never share your healthcare professional with other patients or be handed generic exercise sheets. We're dedicated entirely to your recovery and performance goals.
3. What should I expect in my first visit for neck pain?
Your first visit includes a comprehensive evaluation of your neck pain, movement assessment, and discussion of your training and performance goals. We'll identify the root cause of your pain and begin hands-on treatment immediately. You'll leave with a clear plan and already feeling better.
4. Do you accept insurance or what is your pricing?
We believe in complete transparency on pricing with no surprise bills. Contact us at (919) 960-1351 or tancini@groundtooverheadphysicaltherapy.com to discuss payment options, insurance questions, and our self-pay rates for neck pain physical therapy.
5. Can you help me if I'm searching for 'neck pain physical therapy near me' in Cary?
Yes! We're located at 305g Ashville Ave in Cary, just minutes from Downtown Cary, Centrum @ Crossroads, and Macgregor Village. We serve active adults and athletes throughout the Cary area who need specialized neck pain treatment. Hours: Mon-Thu 7:30 AM–7 PM, Fri 8 AM–5 PM.
6. What makes Ground to Overhead different from other physical therapy clinics?
We specialize in athletes and active individuals, with appointments that start on time, always 1-on-1 care, no cookie-cutter approaches, and a proven 3-step process: fix your pain fast, fix the root cause, and teach you how to keep it from coming back permanently.
Here's a list of some of the groups we have worked with and the groups which our athletes belong to!























