Painlink

Muscle · Neck & shoulder · Cervical muscles

Neck pain

Common at this spot

Ordered by how common, not by search volume.

  1. Forward head posture

    The back of the neck stays tight and a headache follows in the afternoon

    Get help right away if

    See a doctor if you have pins and needles or a cold arm — that can point to something more serious.

    Why it happens

    Poor posture is a common cause — for example sitting at a desk for a long time. It can also come from the neck becoming locked in an awkward position while sleeping, from a pinched nerve, or after an impact such as a car accident or a fall.

    When to see a doctor

    See a doctor if the neck pain does not go away after a few weeks, if painkillers do not help, or if you are worried about it.

    Source: NHS (UK)

  2. Cervical disc herniation

    Electric tingling from the neck into the shoulder and arm, with weakness

    Get help right away if

    Call emergency services or go to A&E if you have any of these — numbness around your bottom or genitals, being unable to pee, losing feeling in one or both legs, losing control of your bladder or bowels, or if it started after a serious accident such as a car crash.

    Why it happens

    A soft cushion of tissue between the bones of the spine bulges outwards — here, in the neck. If the bulge presses on a nerve, it causes pain. Age, too much exercise, lifting the wrong way, long periods sitting or driving, being inactive, and being overweight can all contribute.

    How it feels

    • Pain at that spot
    • Numbness or tingling in the shoulders, arms, hands, legs, or feet
    • Neck pain
    • Difficulty bending or straightening the back
    • Muscle weakness

    When to see a doctor

    See a doctor if painkillers do not help or it does not improve after a few weeks, if you have a high temperature, unexplained weight loss, swelling in your back, or if it gets worse at night.

    Not all slipped discs cause symptoms.

    Source: NHS (UK)

  3. Whiplash injury

    After the accident the neck is stiff, hard to turn, and headaches linger

    Get help right away if

    Get urgent care if the pain is severe, if you have tingling on one or both sides of the body, if you have trouble walking or holding yourself upright, if you get a sudden electric-shock feeling, or if your arms or legs feel weak. These can mean damage to the nerves in your neck or back.

    Why it happens

    The neck is injured by a sudden movement of the head. It usually follows a car accident or a fall.

    How it feels

    • Neck pain
    • A stiff neck
    • Headache
    • Pain and muscle spasms in the shoulders and arms
    • Symptoms can take several hours to appear

    How long it usually lasts

    It usually gets better within 2 to 3 months.

    Source: NHS (UK)

  4. Cervical facet syndrome

    A stabbing catch when tipping the head back or turning it to one side

  5. Cervical radiculopathy

    Tingling from the neck to the fingertips and dropping things often

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