Neck pain

Injury	Diseases	Nutrition	Poison
Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Neck pain

Overview

Treatment

Prevention

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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?

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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).