What is neck pain?

Neck pain is pain that can occur anywhere in your neck, from the bottom of your head to the top of your shoulders. It can spread to your upper back or arms. It may limit how much you can move your head and neck.

Neck pain is common, especially in people older than 50.

You may feel a knot, stiffness, or severe pain in your neck. The pain may be worse when you move. It may spread to your shoulders, upper back, or arms. You may get a headache. You may not be able to move or turn your head and neck easily.

If there is pressure on a spinal nerve root, you might have pain that shoots down your arm. You may also have numbness, tingling, or weakness in your arm. You may also have a burning feeling when you are touched on the skin of the arm or hand. There might also be pain that feels like a shock and extends into your arm or hand.

If your neck pain is long-lasting (chronic), you may have trouble coping with daily life. Common side effects of chronic pain include fatigue, depression, and anxiety.

Your doctor will ask questions about your symptoms and do a physical exam. He or she may also ask about any previous treatment you've had, as well as any injuries, illnesses, or activities that may be causing your neck pain.

During the physical exam, your doctor will check how well you can move your neck. He or she will also look for tenderness or numbness, tingling, or weakness in your arms or hands.

If your pain started after an injury, or if it doesn't improve after a few weeks, your doctor may want to do more tests. Imaging tests, such as an X-ray, an MRI scan, or a CT scan, can show the neck muscles and tissues. These tests may be done to check the neck bones, spinal discs, spinal nerve roots, and spinal cord. You may have blood tests to check for an illness or infection.

The type of treatment you need depends on the cause of your neck pain. Most neck pain caused by activities can be treated at home.

For neck pain that occurs suddenly:

• Use a heating pad on a low or medium setting for 15 to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours. Or you can try an ice pack for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours.
• Avoid more neck injury by changing some habits, such as how you sit or sleep.
• Work with a physical therapist, chiropractor, or osteopathic doctor for exercises or manual therapy. Massage or yoga may help.

Ask your doctor if you can take an anti-inflammatory medicine for pain.

For chronic neck pain, your doctor may prescribe medicine to relax your neck muscles, relieve pain, or help you sleep.

Surgery is rarely done to treat neck pain.

• Try using a heating pad on a low or medium setting for 15 to 20 minutes every 2 or 3 hours. Try a warm shower in place of one session with the heating pad.
• You can also try an ice pack for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours. Put a thin cloth between the ice and your skin.
• Take pain medicines exactly as directed.
  • If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed.
  • If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine.
• If your doctor recommends a cervical collar, wear it exactly as directed.