What Is Neck Pain? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention (2024)

When to See a Doctor

You should call your doctor if you have persistent neck pain that interferes with your work or daily activities.

While neck pain usually isn’t a medical emergency, you should seek immediate medical attention if any of the following applies to your pain:

• It develops after an accident or trauma.
• It occurs with numbness or tingling in your arms, shoulders, or legs.
• It occurs with weakness in your arms or legs.
• You experience a headache, dizziness, nausea, or vomiting.
• You experience loss of bladder or bowel control.
• You have chills, fever, or unexplained weight loss.

Medication Options

Common OTC medications to help relieve neck pain includeacetaminophen (Tylenol)and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), such as aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil).

If OTC options aren’t strong enough for your pain, your doctor may consider prescribing or administering the following medications:

• Other NSAIDs
• Muscle relaxants
• Tricyclic antidepressants
• Steroid injections

Physical Therapy

Some conditions that cause neck pain, including strained muscles, may benefit from physical therapy.

A physical therapist can teach you exercises to help strengthen muscles in your neck, as well as help you correct your posture and alignment.

The following treatments may also be administered by a physical therapist or other therapist:

• Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) This therapy delivers electrical impulses through the skin to help relieve pain.
• Traction This therapy uses a specialized device to gently stretch your neck. It may help if nerve root irritation is the cause of your pain.

Surgery

Surgery is rarely needed for neck pain, but it may be recommended if you have nerve root or spinal cord compression. For these conditions, surgery involves removing tissue that is pressing against nerves.

Surgery may be performed to repair damaged or compressed discs in your spine, or to fuse vertebrae when repairing discs isn’t possible.

Alternative and Complementary Therapies

Alternative therapies that may help with neck pain include:

• Acupuncture
• Chiropractic care
• Massage
• Yoga, tai chi, and other fitness regimens

One study from 2015 of 517 patients found that those receiving two types of complementary therapies — acupuncture and the Alexander Technique — reported significantly less neck pain a year later compared to those using more standard approaches.

In general, though, there is not a lot of high-quality research on alternative therapies for neck pain, especially around Internet claims about the “wonders” of certain herbs and supplements. It’s best to discuss any potential alternative approaches to managing your neck pain with your doctor, reviewing the potential risks and benefits.

Prevention of Neck Pain

Not all neck pain can be prevented, but maintaining good posture — keeping your shoulders straight over your hips and your ears right above your shoulders — can help reduce your chances of developing neck pain.

Other simple modifications can also help:

• If you work at a desk, adjust your setup so your computer monitor is at eye level and your knees are slightly lower than your hips when you’re sitting.
• Avoid carrying heavy bags over your shoulder.
• Sleep with your head and neck in alignment with the rest of your body. The Mayo Clinic recommends you try to sleep on your back with your thighs elevated on pillows in order to flatten your spinal muscles.