Neck Pain: Symptoms, Causes and Treatments

• Axial pain: Concentrated in one part of the neck, doesn't move or radiate.
• Neuropathic pain: From nerves or nerve roots, often due to issues like herniated discs.
• Myelopathic pain: Results from compression of the spinal cord in the neck.
• Referred pain: Felt elsewhere in the body, not from nerve root irritation.
• Radicular pain: Inflammation of a nerve root in the cervical spine, causing pain to spread to the shoulder, arm, and/or hand.

• Stiffness: Difficulty moving the neck comfortably.
• Sharp or Dull Pain: Persistent or intermittent discomfort in the neck region.
• Radiating Pain: Pain that spreads to the shoulders, arms, or head.
• Headaches: Often originating from tension or muscle strain in the neck.
• Muscle Tightness: Feeling of tension or knots in the neck muscles.
• Numbness or Tingling: Sensations in the arms or hands due to nerve compression.
• Difficulty Moving: Limited range of motion or pain with neck movements.

• Poor posture, like slouching over a computer, can strain the neck by creating a forward head posture.
• Sleeping in awkward positions can lead to a stiff neck.
• Repetitive head movements
• Neck fractures
• Rheumatoid arthritis can cause pain, swelling, and bone spurs.
• Osteoporosis weakens bones, potentially leading to neck fractures.
• Fibromyalgia causes widespread muscle pain, including in the neck and shoulders.
• Spinal stenosis
• Rarely, birth defects, infections, lumps, or cancer in the spine can cause neck discomfort and limited movement.

Imaging tests

• X-rays reveal bone spurs or degenerative changes in the neck.
• CT scans provide detailed cross-sectional views of neck structures.
• MRIs produce detailed images of bones, soft tissues, spinal cord, and nerves.
• Structural issues may appear on imaging without causing symptoms, so these tests are most effective when used with a thorough history and physical examination.

Other tests

Your doctor might recommend an EMG if they suspect a pinched nerve. This procedure involves inserting needles into muscles to measure nerve conduction speed. Blood tests can also detect inflammatory or infectious conditions linked to neck pain.

• Prescription pain relievers, muscle relaxants, or tricyclic antidepressants.
• Acupuncture: While further research is needed for conclusive evidence, it's been a longstanding practice in Eastern medicine. Ensure treatment by a certified practitioner using sterile needles.

Therapy

• Physiotherapy can teach proper posture, alignment, and neck exercises, as well as techniques like heat, ice, and electric stimulation to ease pain and prevent future issues.
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) involves placing electrodes on the skin near painful areas to deliver small electrical impulses to relieve pain.
• Traction, supervised by medical and physical therapy experts, uses weights, pulleys, or an air bladder to gently stretch the neck, offering relief, particularly for nerve root irritation.

• The pain started after a car accident or injury.
• Pain spreading down your arms or legs
• Weakness in your arms, hands, or legs
• Headache along with pain
• Severe pain with no apparent cause
• Lump in the neck
• Fever
• Headache
• Swollen glands
• Vomiting
• Difficulty swallowing or breathing
• Weakness
• Tingling
• Pain that radiates to the arms or legs
• Inability to move arms or hands
• Bladder or bowel dysfunction

• Rest from activities exacerbating symptoms; gradually resume normal activity.
• Perform daily neck exercises, including gentle stretches.
• Maintain good posture throughout the day.
• Avoid holding phones between your neck and shoulder.
• Consider receiving gentle neck massages.
• Use a specialized neck pillow for sleep.
• Obtain doctor approval before using a neck collar to avoid worsening symptoms.