Neck Pain
Neck pain has several possible causes when there is no injury:
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You can get a minor ligament sprain or muscle strain from a sudden minor neck movement. Sleeping with your neck in an awkward position can also cause this.
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Some people respond to emotional stress by tensing the muscles of their neck, shoulders, and upper back. Chronic spasm in these muscles can cause neck pain and sometimes headaches.
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Gradual wear and tear of the joints in the spine can cause degenerative arthritis. This can be a source of occasional or chronic neck pain.
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The spinal disks may bulge and put pressure on a nearby spinal nerve. This can happen as a natural result of aging or repeated small injuries to the neck. The spinal disks are the cushions between each spinal bone. This causes tingling, pain, or numbness that spreads from the neck to the shoulder, arm, or hand on one side.
Acute neck pain usually gets better in 1 to 2 weeks. Neck pain related to disk disease, arthritis in the spinal joints, or spinal stenosis can become chronic and last for months or years. Spinal stenosis is narrowing of the spinal canal.
X-rays are usually not ordered for the initial evaluation of neck pain. But X-rays may be done if you had a forceful physical injury, such as a car accident or fall. If pain continues and doesn’t respond to medical treatment, X-rays and other tests may be done at a later time.
Less often, neck pain can be a sign of a more serious underlying medical condition.
Home care
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Rest and relax the muscles. Use a comfortable pillow that supports the head. It should also help keep the spine in a neutral position. The position of the head should not be tilted forward or backward. A rolled-up towel may help for a custom fit.
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A soft cervical collar can help pain, especially pain with head movement. Your healthcare provider can tell you if this is appropriate for your condition.
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Some people find relief with heat. Heat can be applied with either a warm shower or bath or a moist towel heated in the microwave and massage. Others prefer cold packs. You can make an ice pack by placing ice in a plastic bag that seals at the top. Then wrap the bag with a thin towel. Try both and use the method that feels best for 15 to 20 minutes, several times a day.
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Whether using ice or heat, be careful that you don't injure your skin. Never put ice directly on the skin. Always wrap the ice in a towel or other type of cloth. This is very important, especially in people with poor skin sensations.
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Try to reduce your stress level. Emotional stress can lead to neck muscle tension and get in the way of or delay the healing process.
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You may use over-the-counter pain medicine to control pain, unless another medicine was prescribed. If you have chronic liver or kidney disease or ever had a stomach ulcer or digestive bleeding, talk with your provider before using these medicines.
Follow-up care
Follow up with your healthcare provider if your symptoms don't show signs of improvement after 1 week. Physical therapy or more tests may be needed.
If X-rays, CT scans, or MRI scans were taken, you'll be told of any new findings that may affect your care.
Call 911
Call 911 if you have:
When to get medical advice
Call your healthcare provider right away if any of these occur:
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Pain gets worse or spreads into 1 or both arms
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Weakness of arms or legs
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Loss of bowel or bladder control
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Increasing headache
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Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as advised by your provider
Online Medical Reviewer:
Anne Fetterman RN BSN
Online Medical Reviewer:
Joseph Campellone MD
Online Medical Reviewer:
Raymond Kent Turley BSN MSN RN
Date Last Reviewed:
8/1/2022
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