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  1. Neck pain - Overview

    Verified Expert
    Also known as: Also known as, cervical pain

    Pain felt in the neck. Can be in the neck bones, ligaments or muscles.

    Common Causes

    Neck pain is not always related to an underlying condition. It may be caused by:

    • Bad sleeping posture
    • Injury or trauma around the neck
    • Prolonged activities that force you to crane your neck
    • Carrying heavy shoulder bags
    • Gritting your teeth
    • Wearing heavy necklaces
    See more

    Treatment

    Verified Expert
    See a doctor if you notice:
    • Severe pain that interferes with important daily activities
    See a doctor immediately if you notice:
    • Pain accompanied by, stiffness, numbness, and tingling in the arms and legs
    • Traumatic injury
    Self-treatment: Self- care steps that may be helpful in some less- serious cases:
    • Hold a hot water bottle or heat pack around the neck
    • Rest
    • Use a low firm pillow at night instead of too many pillows
    • Check your posture
    • Practice neck exercises
    • Avoid driving or other activities that may force you to strain your neck
    See more

    Specialist

    Verified Expert

    Orthopedician: Specializes in bones and their disorders.

    Primary care physician: Specializes in the acute and chronic illnesses and provides preventive care and health.

    See more
    Is neck pain a symptom of a serious problem?
    Neck pain is common. Poor posture — whether from leaning over a computer or hunching over a workbench — strains neck muscles. Osteoarthritis also is a common cause of neck pain. Rarely, neck pain can be a symptom of a more serious problem.
    mayoclinic.org
    Types of Neck Pain, Their Causes, and How to Treat Them - Healthline
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    Types of Neck Pain, Their Causes, and …
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    Source: Focus Medica. For informational purposes only. Consult a medical professional for advice.
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    Table of Contents
    Overview
    Treatment
    Specialist
    Is neck pain a symptom of a serious problem?
    Ask an expert
     
  1. Lower neck pain can be caused by a variety of factors12345. Common causes include poor posture, physical strain, mental stress, and osteoarthritis12. Neck pain caused by muscle tension or strain usually goes away on its own within a few days3. Neck pain that continues longer than several weeks often responds to exercise, stretching, physical therapy, and massage3. Sometimes, you may need steroid injections or even surgery to relieve neck pain3.
    Learn more:
    Neck pain is common. Poor posture — whether from leaning over a computer or hunching over a workbench — strains neck muscles. Osteoarthritis also is a common cause of neck pain. Rarely, neck pain can be a symptom of a more serious problem.

    Neck pain - Symptoms and causes - May…

    www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/neck-pain…
    Neck pain, or cervicalgia, can last from days to years, depending on the cause. Common causes include physical strain, poor posture, mental stress, osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, herniated disk, pinched nerve, tumors and other health conditions.

    Neck Pain: 6 Common Causes and Treat…

    my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/21179-nec…
    Neck pain caused by muscle tension or strain usually goes away on its own within a few days. Neck pain that continues longer than several weeks often responds to exercise, stretching, physical therapy and massage. Sometimes, you may need steroid injections or even surgery to relieve neck pain.

    Neck pain: Symptom When to see a doct…

    www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/neck-pain/basics/w…
    Causes of neck pain include acute conditions, like muscle strains and whiplash, and chronic conditions, such as cervical spondylosis (neck osteoarthritis) and myofascial pain syndrome. Pinched nerves, infections, fractures, and spinal cord problems can also cause neck pain.

    Causes of Neck Pain and Treatment Opti…

    www.verywellhealth.com/neck-pain-4014211
    Neck pain can occur due to a variety of benign reasons, as well as more serious causes, such as illness or injury. Severe neck pain typically requires medical treatment. A person should consult a doctor if the pain lasts longer than 1 week, OTC medications do not help, or they experience other symptoms, such as weakness or tingling in their limbs.

    How to know when neck pain is serious …

    www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/severe-neck-…
  2. People also ask
    What are the symptoms of neck pain?
    Neck pain may involve other symptoms, including: Headache. Stiffness in your neck, shoulders and upper back. Being unable to turn your neck or tilt your head. Numbness or tingling (pins and needles) feeling in your shoulders or arms. Who is affected by neck pain? Neck pain is common, affecting 10% to 20% of adults.

    Neck Pain: 6 Common Causes and Treatments - Cleveland Clinic

    my.clevelandclinic.org
    What causes serious neck pain?

    Dr. Howard E. LeWine

    M.D. Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing · 40 years of exp

    There are so many potential causes of neck pain. Some people use the term serious pain to mean very bad pain. Even muscle spasm in the neck can cause excruciating pain. If the question is pain caused by something that needs prompt medical evaluation, then it’s better to consider what other symptoms are present. A bad headache with neck pain and stiffness could be due to meningitis or bleeding in or around the brain. Fever and neck pain is also worrisome of a either meningitis or a localized infection in the spine. Any symptoms that indicate damaged nerves needs immediate attention, such as arm or leg weakness, new difficulty walking or incontinence.
    2 more answers
    bing.com
    Is neck pain a symptom of a serious problem?
    Neck pain is common. Poor posture — whether from leaning over a computer or hunching over a workbench — strains neck muscles. Osteoarthritis also is a common cause of neck pain. Rarely, neck pain can be a symptom of a more serious problem.

    Neck pain - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic

    mayoclinic.org
    What is referred neck pain?
    Referred neck pain is pain in the neck that’s caused by something elsewhere in your body. Some common sources of referred neck pain include: Bone neck pain happens when a bone in your neck is affected. This can be caused by conditions like arthritis, spinal narrowing (stenosis), or injury.

    Types of Neck Pain, Their Causes, and How to Treat Them - Healthline

    healthline.com
    What does constant neck pain indicate?

    Dr. Hiroyuki Ueda

    Doctor of Medicine (MD) · 3 years of exp

    Persistent neck pain may indicate cervical spondylosis or thoracic outlet syndrome. In recent years, an increasing number of people complain of chronic pain due to strain on the neck muscles and distortion of the cervical spine caused by poor posture due to prolonged use of computers and smartphones.
    Q&A: Neck Pain
    bing.com
    I have pain in my neck and arm. What could it be?

    Dr. Rachel C. Situmorang

    Doctor of Medicine (MD) · 5 years of exp

    There could be many causes of pain in shoulders and arms, including physical injury, muscle strain, bad posture, a pinched nerve, problems in the cervical spine and heart attack.
    Q&A: General Health
    bing.com
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  3. Healthline
    https://www.healthline.com › health › n…

    Types of Neck Pain, Their Causes, and How to Treat …

    Mar 1, 2024 · There are different types of neck pain that can affect your muscles, nerves, or other nearby tissues. Each has different causes and treatments.

  4. Mayo Clinic
    https://www.mayoclinic.org › symptom…

    Neck pain: Symptom When to see a doctor - Mayo Clinic

    Oct 22, 2024 · Basics. In-depth. Resources. When to see a doctor. By Mayo Clinic Staff. Neck pain caused by muscle tension or strain often goes away on its own within a few days. Neck pain that continues longer than several weeks …

  5. Cleveland Clinic
    https://my.clevelandclinic.org › health …

    Cervical Spondylosis: What It Is, Symptoms

    Sep 30, 2023 · Symptoms and Causes. What are the symptoms of cervical spondylosis? You can have cervical spondylosis without symptoms. If you do have symptoms, they may include: Neck pain. Stiff neck. A bump or knot in …

  6. Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center of Oregon
    https://orthosportsmed.com › neck-pain …

    Neck Pain Red Flags and When Not To Worry

    Jul 16, 2020 · This section presents a comprehensive list of somewhat common medical problems that can cause neck pain (and might, conceivably, be confused with an “ordinary” case of neck pain). I’ll give you a quick idea of …

  7. Healthline
    https://www.healthline.com › health › n…

    Neck Pain: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, and More

    Apr 20, 2023 · Learn about the common causes of neck pain, such as muscle strain, injury, or arthritis, and how to treat it at home or when to see a doctor. Find out how to prevent neck pain and when it may indicate a serious condition.

  8. Verywell Health
    https://www.verywellhealth.com

    When to See a Healthcare Provider for Neck Pain

    Oct 13, 2023 · Neck pain can be an acute problem caused by an injury (like whiplash), or a chronic condition that develops and may get worse over time (like arthritis in the spine). Providers can use a combination of exams and tests to …

  9. Medical News Today
    https://www.medicalnewstoday.com › .…

    How to know when neck pain is serious - Medical …

    Feb 24, 2023 · Neck pain can be a symptom of various conditions, some of which are serious and require medical attention. Learn how to identify severe neck pain, what causes it, and how to treat it effectively.

  10. Mayo Clinic
    https://www.mayoclinic.org › diseases-conditions › ...

    Neck pain - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic