Neck Pain

Neck pain is pain anywhere from the bottom of your head to the top of your shoulders. It can spread to your upper back or arms. It may limit how much you can move your head and neck. Full Answer

Medicines can relieve neck pain and reduce inflammation of the soft tissues. Pain relief will allow you to move your neck gently, so you can begin easy exercises and start the healing process. Although pain relievers, muscle relaxants and antidepressants... Full Answer

Initial testing - Neck pain is usually evaluated with a medical history and physical exam. Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, injuries or illnesses, any previous treatment and habits and activities that may be causing your neck pain. During the... Full Answer

Risk factors for neck pain that you cannot control include: Age. People older who are middle-aged or older are more likely to have breakdown (degeneration) of discs or joints, as well as bone spurs in the vertebrae of the neck (cervical spondylosis).... Full Answer

Neck pain may: Spread to the upper back, shoulders or arms. Be worse with movement. Make your neck stiff or tender. Cause headaches. These are common and may last for months. Nerve-related symptoms caused by pressure on the spinal nerve roots... Full Answer

A few simple steps can help prevent annoying neck pain. In this video, chiropractor and pain management specialist Steven Shoshany gives some of his favorite tips. Full Answer

Even if you need medical treatment such as prescription medicines for your neck pain, the following home treatment measures will help speed your recovery. Heat or ice There is not strong evidence that either heat or ice will help. But it won't hurt to... Full Answer

Call 911 or other emergency services immediately if: Neck pain occurs with chest pain or other symptoms of a heart attack, such as shortness of breath and nausea. A person has signs of damage to the spine after an injury (such as a car accident, fall or... Full Answer

When conservative treatments such as medications, physical therapy, and alternative treatments such as acupuncture and massage therapy fail, one may consider interventional pain procedures to treat neck pain.  After a complete history and physical... Full Answer

Most neck pain gets better within several weeks with treatment that includes taking steps to relieve pain, modifying activities and doing exercises or physical therapy. Neck pain caused by an injury such as a severe whiplash may take longer but usually... Full Answer