Neck Pain

Neck pain can feel like a dull, sharp, tight or stiff sensation in your neck. There are lots of possible causes – for example, an injury or stress. It usually gets better within a few weeks using painkillers and gentle exercises. But if it doesn’t, a doctor or physiotherapist can help.

About neck pain

Your neck is part of your spine. It is known as the cervical spine. This is why the medical name for neck pain is cervicalgia. Your neck made up of seven bones called vertebrae, as well as muscles, nerves, ligaments and tendons.

Your neck connects your head to your shoulders and upper body. It supports the weight of your head and allows you to move it in different directions. It also protects your spinal cord and the important blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients to your brain.

Neck pain is common. It’s estimated that up to 7 in 10 people will experience neck pain at some point in their life. Neck pain may be more likely if you’re aged 45–54, female, have anxiety or depression, or sit in the same position for a long time.

You might sometimes hear healthcare professionals describe neck pain as either acute or chronic. Acute neck pain comes on suddenly and gets better within a few days or weeks. Chronic neck pain tends to last longer than three months or keeps coming back.

Neck pain isn’t usually caused by anything serious, and there are lots of things you can do at home to feel better. But sometimes it can be caused by an illness or accident. If your pain significantly disrupts your everyday life or doesn’t go away, your doctor or physiotherapist can recommend other treatments and therapies that may help.

Causes of neck pain

There are lots of things that can cause neck pain. Sometimes it’s due to a combination of factors, sometimes it can happen for no apparent reason.

Neck pain is often caused by everyday activities such as:

• sleeping in an awkward position
• sitting at a desk for a long time
• using your phone or computer with poor posture
• lifting something heavier than you’re used to
• feeling stressed

Sometimes, neck pain can be caused by an underlying health condition or injury. Examples include the following.

• Osteoarthritis. This is a type of arthritis that wears away the cartilage between the bones in your neck, leading to stiffness, swelling, and pain. It can make movement difficult and uncomfortable.
• A bulging disc. If a disc in your cervical spine bulges outwards, it can press on nearby nerves, causing neck pain, and sometimes numbness or tingling in your arms.
• Cervical spondylosis. This is age-related wear and tear of the bones and discs in your neck, which can cause pain and stiffness.
• Fibromyalgia. This is a long-term condition that causes widespread pain throughout your whole body, including your neck. It can also affect your sleep and make you feel tired.
• Spinal stenosis. This happens when the spaces in your spine narrow and put pressure on the nerves inside. If this happens in your cervical spine, it can cause pain, numbness, or weakness in your neck and arms.
• Whiplash. This is when your neck suddenly jerks forward and backwards, for example during a car accident or when playing sports. It puts strain on the muscles and ligaments in your neck, and can lead to pain, stiffness and headaches.

In rare cases, neck pain could be a sign of something more serious, for example:

• cancer
• meningitis
• a fracture (broken bone)
• a tumour
• an infection
• damage to an artery in your neck

Symptoms of neck pain

If you have neck pain, your symptoms might be mild and get better in a few days or weeks. Or your neck pain could feel very painful and last for months. You might have:

• a dull ache, sharp pain, or tight feeling in your neck
• stiffness, making it hard to turn your head
• pain that spreads to your shoulders, arms, or upper back
• headaches, often starting at the base of your skull
• muscle spasms or a knotted feeling in your neck
• tingling, numbness, or weakness in your arms or hands

Self-help for neck pain

There are lots of things you can do at home to help ease your neck pain.

• Take over-the counter painkillers. You might find taking paracetamol or Ibuprofen tablets, or rubbing an anti-inflammatory gel onto your neck, helps to relieve your pain.
• Try heat or ice packs. An ice pack or bag or frozen vegetables wrapped in a tea towel on your neck can ease pain. Or try using a heat pack, hot water bottle, or taking a hot shower help to ease tense neck muscles.
• Keep moving. Try to keep moving as best you can, even if it’s slowly at first. Gently stretch your neck muscles and don’t stay in the same position for too long.
• Avoid neck collars. Unless your doctor has asked you to wear one, these can make your symptoms worse.
• Reduce your stress levels. Practicing relaxation techniques like listening to a guided meditation could help to lower your stress levels and relieve tense neck muscles.
• Get a massage. A massage therapist might be able to ease tight muscles in your neck, back, and shoulders and help to ease your pain.
• Pay attention to your posture. Think about your posture when you’re working, driving, reading, or sitting for long periods of time. Avoid hunching over, leaning forwards, or looking up or down.
• Adjust your pillow. Your head should be level with the rest of your body when you lay down (not propped up or hanging down). So, you might need to adjust your pillows or invest in a new one that fills the space between your neck and shoulders.
• Consider acupuncture. Some research suggests that acupuncture might help to relieve neck pain for some people. Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese technique of inserting thin needles into specific body parts to relieve pain or discomfort elsewhere in the body. Ask your doctor if acupuncture might be suitable for you.

When to seek help for neck pain

Most of the time, neck pain gets better within a few days or weeks. But make an appointment to see a doctor if you experience:

• severe pain that disrupts your daily life or sleep
• symptoms that keep getting worse
• numbness, tingling or weakness in your arms, hands or legs
• neck pain following an accident, fall or injury
• difficulty lifting both arms above your head
• feeling dizzy, faint, having a fever or losing weight without meaning to

Treatment for neck pain

Medication

Most of the time, neck pain can be treated at home with over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol, Ibuprofen, or an anti-inflammatory gel. If these aren’t helping, your doctor might be able to prescribe stronger painkillers like muscle relaxants or a low dose of some types of antidepressant.

Physiotherapy

Sometimes, your doctor might refer you to a physiotherapist for advice. A physiotherapist is a healthcare professional who specialises in treating conditions that affect the way your body moves. They can teach you stretches and strengthening exercise to improve your neck pain. They might also massage your neck and shoulders to loosen the muscles and give you some relief.

TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation)

A TENS machine is a small electrical device used to relieve neck pain. It works by sending mild electrical pulses through sticky pads placed on your skin near the painful area. These pulses help block pain signals from reaching your brain. Many people find TENS machines helpful for easing muscle tension and reducing pain, and they’re easy to use at home. But TENS machines aren’t suitable or effective for everyone.

You should never place a TENS machine over the front of your neck. If you want to use one at home, it’s best to ask your doctor or physiotherapist how to use one safely.

Steroid injections

If other treatments aren’t working and your pain is affecting your daily life, your doctor might recommend a steroid injection. This is when a specialist injects a small amount of steroid medication, often combined with a local anaesthetic, directly into the painful area. It’s usually done in a hospital. The steroid helps reduce pain signals, which can ease your discomfort and help you to move better.

Radiofrequency denervation

Radiofrequency denervation is a treatment for long-lasting neck pain that’s coming from the joints in your neck. A doctor uses a special needle to apply heat produced by radio waves to your nerves, which stops them from sending pain signals to your brain. The procedure is done under a local anaesthetic and can provide relief for several months, especially if other treatments haven’t worked.

Surgery

If your neck pain is caused by a broken bone, slipped disc, or pressure on your spinal cord, you might need surgery, but this is rare.

Prevention of neck pain

To help prevent neck pain, try these tips.

• Take regular breaks from screens, including phones and TVs.
• If you work at a desk, adjust your desk and chair to a comfortable height and make sure your screen is at eye level.
• Sleep on a supportive pillow that keeps your neck in line with your spine.
• Stay active and do exercises to strengthen your neck and shoulder muscles.
• Stretch your neck gently if it feels stiff.
• Avoid carrying heavy bags on one shoulder.
• Manage your stress levels to reduce tension in your neck muscles.

Other helpful websites

• Chartered Society of Physiotherapy

Discover other helpful health information websites.