Monday, February, 13, 2012

Neck pain

Table of Contents

Seek immediate medical help if:

  • You have a fever and headache, and your neck is so stiff that you cannot touch your chin to your chest. This may be meningitis. Call your local emergency number (such as 911) or get to a hospital.
  • You have symptoms of a heart attack, such as shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, vomitting, or arm or jaw pain.

Call your health care provider if:

  • Symptoms do not go away in 1 week with self care
  • You have numbness, tingling, or weakness in your arm or hand
  • Your neck pain was caused by a fall, blow, or injury -- if you cannot move your arm or hand, have someone call 911
  • You have swollen glands or a lump in your neck
  • Your pain does not go away with regular doses of over-the-counter pain medication
  • You have difficulty swallowing or breathing along with the neck pain
  • You have pain that gets worse when you lie down or wakes you up at night
  • You have such severe pain that you cannot get comfortable
  • You lose control over urine or stool (incontinence)

What to expect at your health care provider's office

Your doctor will perform a physical examination and ask detailed questions about your neck pain, including how often it occurs and how much it hurts. Other questions may include:

  • Is your pain in the front, back, or side of your neck?
  • Are both sides of your neck affected equally?
  • When did the pain first develop?
  • Is it painful all the time or does the pain come and go?
  • Can you touch your chin to your chest?
  • What makes your neck feel worse? What makes your neck feel better?
  • Do you have neck weakness or neck stiffness?
  • Do you have any accompanying symptoms like numbness, tingling, or weakness in your arm or hand?
  • Do you have swollen glands or a lump in your neck?

These questions help your doctor determine the cause of your neck pain and whether it is likely to quickly get better with simple measures such as ice, mild painkillers, physical therapy, and proper exercises. Most of the time, neck pain will get better in 4 - 6 weeks using these approaches.

Your doctor will probably not order any tests during the first visit, unless you have symptoms or a medical history that suggests a tumor, infection, fracture, or serious nerve disorder. In that case, the following tests may be done:

  • X-rays of the neck
  • CT scan of the neck or head
  • Blood tests such as a complete blood count (CBC)
  • A spinal tap for a cerebrospinal fluid analysis if meningitis is suspected
  • MRI of the neck

If the pain is due to muscle spasm or a pinched nerve, your doctor may prescribe a muscle relaxant and possibly a more powerful pain reliever. Over-the-counter medications often work as well as prescription drugs. The doctor may prescribe a neck collar or, if there is nerve damage, refer you to a neurologist or neurosurgeon for consultation.

If meningitis is suspected, you will be sent to an emergency department for further tests, antibiotics, and hospital admission.


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Review Date: 01/05/2011
Reviewed By: A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, and David R. Eltz. Previously reviewed by C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Assistant Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Dept of Orthopaedic Surgery (7/10/2009).

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)