Neck pain – what causes it and how to get relief

Got a sore neck? Learn how to soothe your symptoms at home, and find out when to see a doctor.

What are the different types of neck pain?

What causes neck pain?

Self-care tips

When to see a doctor

Diagnosing neck pain

What’s the treatment?

Whether you’re finding it hard to move your neck, or you feel pain holding it in certain positions, neck pain can be really uncomfortable. Here’s how to feel better.

Neck pain is common – 1 in 3 people are affected by it at least once a year.

The symptoms are usually harmless and nothing to worry about, but sometimes, neck pain can be caused by something more serious.

Your neck is made up of lots of small joints, muscles, and bones (called vertebrae), which are stacked on top of each other to form your all-important spinal column. It supports your head and protects your spinal cord – linking networks of nerves throughout your entire body. 

If one part of this column becomes inflamed or injured, it can cause pain, which may get in the way of everyday activities and affect your sleep, too. But there are things you can do to help ease neck pain.

## What are the different types of neck pain?

Neck pain can feel like an ache that doesn’t go away, but it might also be a short, stabbing pain, or a shooting pain from your neck to your shoulders, especially if you move your head or neck into a certain position. It’s often felt when you’re sitting at your computer or driving.

Neck pain can also bring on other symptoms, such as:

- muscle tightness, stiffness, and spasms
- difficulty moving your head
- numbness, tingling or weakness in your arm or hand – this can be a sign that your neck pain is caused by trapped nerves
- a headache.

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## What causes neck pain?

While neck pain may come about for no particular reason, at other times there is a direct cause. The most common causes are:

- __when the neck becomes locked in an awkward position while sleeping__ – keeping your head at the same height as the rest of your body can help prevent this
- __bad posture__ – while sitting at a desk for a long time, or looking down at your phone. Make sure to sit upright and roll your shoulders back instead
- __a pinched or trapped nerve__
- __an injury__ – such as whiplash from a traffic accident, or a fall
- __everyday tension__ – such as worry or stress
- __worn joints as you age__ – causing the condition [cervical spondylosis](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/cervical-spondylosis) 
- __certain medical conditions__ – like [rheumatoid arthritis](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis) or [meningitis](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/meningitis), although this is not common.

## Self-care tips

Mild to moderate neck pain usually gets better on its own, but there are certain things you can do to help the process. These may include:

- __taking painkillers__ – like acetaminophen (paracetamol) or ibuprofen (ibuprofen gel on your neck can help)
- __using a low, firm pillow__ – it can support your head and neck when you sleep
- __putting heat or cold packs on your neck to reduce inflammation__ – use cold packs for the first 48 hours, switching to heat after 48 hours
- __trying neck flexibility exercises__ – such as neck and shoulder rolls. 

Try to avoid:

- using a neck collar unless a doctor tells you to wear one – it’s often better to keep the neck moving as freely as possible 
- anything that could be dangerous if you can’t move your neck properly, such as driving or cycling.

## When to see a doctor

Sometimes neck pain can be a sign of something more serious. Book an appointment if your neck pain:

- is severe
- doesn’t go away after a few weeks
- is stopping you carrying out everyday activities 
- isn’t helped by painkillers, like acetaminophen (paracetamol) or ibuprofen
- is making you worried 
- comes with headache, numbness, weakness or tingling, or pins and needles
- comes with pain down your arms or legs, or a cold arm.

__Get urgent medical attention if your neck pain:__

- came about after an injury or accident
- brings other symptoms such as dizziness, fever, chills, unexplained weight loss, nausea or vomiting, weakness in your legs, or a loss of coordination in your arms or legs.

## Diagnosing neck pain

At your appointment, your doctor will ask you questions about your medical history and your symptoms before taking you through a physical exam.

This is to check for tenderness, numbness, and muscle weakness in your neck, and to see how far you can move your head in different directions. They may also check your reflexes and the strength in your arms and shoulders.

If your doctor thinks your neck pain is caused by a specific condition or issue, they might want to confirm a diagnosis with further tests, such as:

- __a CT scan__ – combines X-ray images taken from different directions to create a detailed view inside the neck, and can highlight bone spurs (bony lumps that grow on the neck) or signs of wear and tear
- __an MRI__ – uses radio waves and a magnetic field to create detailed images of bones and soft tissue, including discs, the spinal cord, and nerves. It can pick up on slipped discs, signs of infection, or cysts and tumors
- __an X-ray__ – it shows areas in the neck where the nerves or spinal cord might be pinched by bone spurs, or other changes.

## What’s the treatment?

If your neck pain isn’t going away, you may need medicine or medical treatments from a doctor. The type of treatment you’re offered will depend on the cause of your neck pain and how severe it is. 

Treatments may include:

- __stronger painkillers__ – prescription-strength painkillers such as NSAIDs to ease pain and inflammation
- __physical therapy__ – where a therapist helps you correct posture issues, aligns your neck, and helps you with neck-strengthening exercises
- __transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)__ – where electrodes are placed on the skin near to the area of pain to deliver tiny electrical impulses for pain relief
- __steroid injections__ – injected near the nerve root and into the spinal joint or the muscles in the neck, for pain relief
- __surgery__ – it’s rare, but you may need surgery to relieve nerve root or spinal cord compression.

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References

Amelia Glean

Fiona Bugler

Dr Tamer T Malak

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