Definition

Chronic neck pain can last more than 3 months. It can range from mild to severe.

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Causes

Chronic neck pain may be caused from many things, such as problems with the muscles, nerves, or bones.

Risk Factors

Things that may raise the risk are:

• Muscle strain and tension
• Poor posture
• Osteoarthritis
• Disc degeneration
• Fibromyalgia
• Spinal stenosis
• Whiplash injury
• Prior spine surgery
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Tumors (rarely)

Symptoms

Problems may be:

• Neck stiffness
• Pain that may be worse with movement
• Burning, sharp, dull, or tingling pain
• Pain that may spread to other parts of the body, such as the head, shoulders, and arms

Muscles of the Neck Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

Diagnosis

The doctor may ask about your symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done. It will focus on your neck. You may need to see a doctor who treats bones and joints. Or, you may need to see one who treats nerves and spinal cord problems.

Pictures of your spine may be needed. This can be done with:

• X-rays
• MRI scan
• CT scan
• Myelography

Your nerves and muscles may need to be tested. This can be done with electromyography (EMG).

Treatment

Treatment will depend on the cause of the pain and how severe it is. The goal of treatment is to ease pain and improve movement. Choices are:

• Physical therapy and regular exercise to improve strength, flexibility, and range of motion
• Supportive care, such as rest, ice, a compression bandage, and raising the finger to ease pain and swelling
• Therapeutic procedures, such as low-level laser therapy and electrotherapy treatments
• Medicines to ease pain and swelling, such as:
  • Over the counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen
  • Antidepressants
  • Antiseizure medicine
  • Corticosteroid injections

Some people may need surgery. The type of surgery used will depend on the cause of the pain.

Prevention

To lower the risk of neck pain:

• Maintain good posture.
• Take breaks from activities that do not involve movement, such as driving or working at a desk.
• Do not sleep with too many pillows.
• Exercise regularly.
• Make sure your desk chair and keyboard are at proper heights.
• Do not cradle a phone in your neck.