Neck Pain (Cervical Pain) Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Diagnosis on MedicineNet.com

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Neck Pain

Myths and Facts About Back Pain Slideshow

Medical Author: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Featured patient discussions on treatments for neck pain

"I am a 25-year-old female that has suffered neck, back and headache pain for seven years. I have been to chiropractors (four of them), I've done physical therapy three times, I tried acupuncture, electrotherapy, I've had X-rays, and a MRI. I have been to doctors and specialists. Still, every day I have pain. I wake up with pain, the pain increases in the afternoon (if it waits that long, I'm lucky) and worsens until I lie down at night. Then it just gets so bothersome that I just want to numb it. Putting my head over the side of bed relieves the pain. I have a Sleep Number bed and a pillow that supports my neck. Yet the pain remains. My headaches usually come about from the neck pain. My shoulders also bother me but not as much as the neck pain does. I'm sick of it. It increases when it's hot out; I always get headaches if I'm too hot. I'm tired of being told that there is nothing wrong with me and that there is nothing doctors can do. I have pain every day, and I'm too young for this. I hate taking medications, especially since they only help a quarter of the time."

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Top Searched Neck Pain Terms:

headaches, pinched nerve, degenerative disc disease, dizziness, brain tumor symptoms, whiplash, herniated disc

Patient Discussions are not a substitute for professional medical advice, or treatment.
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What is neck pain? What causes neck pain?

Pain located in the neck is a common medical condition. Neck pain can come from a number of disorders and diseases of any tissues in the neck, such as degenerative disc disease, neck strain, whiplash, a herniated disc, or a pinched nerve. Neck pain is also referred to as cervical pain.

What are other symptoms that are associated with neck pain?

Neck pain is commonly associated with dull aching. Sometimes pain in the neck is worsened with movement of the neck. Other symptoms associated with some forms of neck pain include numbness, tingling, tenderness, sharp shooting pain, fullness, difficulty swallowing, pulsations, swishing sounds in the head, dizziness or lightheadedness, and gland swelling.

What are the structures of the neck?

There are seven vertebrae that are the bony building blocks of the spine in the neck (the cervical vertebrae) that surround the spinal cord and canal. Between these vertebrae are discs, and nearby pass the nerves of the neck. Within the neck, structures include the neck muscles, arteries, veins, lymph glands, thyroid gland, parathyroid glands, esophagus, larynx, and trachea. Diseases or conditions that affect any of these tissues of the neck can lead to neck pain.

How is neck pain diagnosed?

In diagnosing the cause of neck pain, it is important to review the history of the symptoms. In reviewing the history, the doctor will note the location, intensity, duration, and radiation of the pain. Any past injury to the neck is noted. Aggravating and/or relieving positions or motions are also recorded. The neck is examined at rest and in motion. Tenderness is detected during palpation of the neck. An examination of the nervous system is performed to determine whether or not nerve involvement is present.

Further testing of undiagnosed neck pain can include x-ray evaluation, CAT scan, bone scan, MRI scan, myelogram, and electrical tests such as electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction velocity test (NCV).

How is neck pain treated?

The treatment of neck pain depends on its precise cause. Treatment options include rest, heat/ice applications, traction, soft collar, traction, physical therapy (ultrasound, massage, manipulation), local injections of cortisone or anesthetics, topical anesthetic creams, topical pain patches, muscle relaxants, analgesics, and surgical procedures.

Last Editorial Review: 1/29/2008