Neck Pain

Discomfort, ache, or pain in the neck area

Neck pain is a common problem that can affect men, women, and children of all age groups. It could be caused by illness or injury and the type of pain sensation you experience may vary. Your pain may be localised, affecting only the neck, or it could extend further, radiating down either arm. It may feel like a constant dull ache covering a large area or it may feel sharp, only affecting a specific area. Other symptoms, such as numbness or muscle weakness could help to diagnose the root cause of the problem.

See also: Shoulder Pain

What causes Neck Pain?

There are a wide range of possible causes for neck pain. While sometimes, it may be obvious that your injury is a direct result of a car accident, fall or sporting injury, sometimes you might experience pain with no obvious cause and often this can be the most worrying. There are a large range of conditions that could be the cause of the pain you are experiencing, these may include but are not limited to, Cervical dystonia, fibromyalgia, herniated disc, meningitis, muscle strain or whiplash.

What can you do at home?

Experiencing pain can be very uncomfortable, disrupting your daily life and increasing your anxiety levels but it may be possible to alleviate some of the symptoms you are experiencing at home before seeking a medical consultation or treatment. Neck pain can be particularly disruptive, often leading to sleepless nights but listed below are some helpful tips to get you back on track.

Take paracetamol or ibuprofen
Pain relief gels are also available and can be applied directly to the skin
Use a firm pillow with a low profile
Treat the affected area with cold compresses or heat pads
Gentle massage can help relieve spasms
Try gentle neck exercises, slowly and carefully, turning your head side to side or up and down
Good posture can help relieve neck pain

You should also seek further medical attention if you experience any of the following:

Neck pain is a common problem but in most cases it is rarely serious and often caused by a minor muscle strain. It may be uncomfortable but the pain will usually pass within a week or so on its own. If your pain persists or you experience any of the symptoms listed below, then it may be a sign of a more serious problem and medical consultation should be sought immediately.

If Pain persists more than two weeks
Your pain level is still very high despite taking painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen
You are experiencing pain that radiates down your arms
You are experiencing a loss of sensation
The condition is disrupting your daily life
You are experiencing weakness in either arm

Are you worried about your Neck Pain?

Here at VIDA we have expert clinicians on hand to help diagnose and treat your condition. To find out more about these services, we recommend visiting the following pages:

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0333 300 2979

Possible Causes and Related Conditions

Cervical dystonia
Cervical spondylosis
Fibromyalgia
Injuries
Meningitis
Muscle strains
Spinal stenosis