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The neck is made of 7 bones (vertebrae) that help support the head and allow movements such as bending, turning and rotating.
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Many people get neck pain without any actual damage to the joints or other structures around it (e.g. muscles, tendons and ligaments).
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Neck pain is RARELY linked to a life-threatening problem.
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X-rays and scans often are NOT needed to find the cause of your neck pain.
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Graded movement and exercise in most cases is NOT harmful to your neck and will actually help your pain by making your body stronger, and more mobile.
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There is NO perfect posture when resting or moving. There is NO evidence that slouching causes back or neck pain. Research says that it is best to keep moving and to regularly change position.
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There are a lot of things you can do by yourself to help you manage your neck pain (see below).
Neck Conditions
About the Neck:
Neck pain is very common, with most people experiencing some form of neck pain at some point in their life. These episodes may come and go over the years. People with neck pain may also experience pain, tingling or numbness within their arm or hand. Although neck pain can be very painful and limiting, there is rarely a serious cause for the pain. For a lot of people that experience neck pain, the pain will usually settle on its own within 6-12 weeks. This page will guide you to manage your recovery from neck pain and advise when to seek help.
- If your neck pain has been ongoing for longer than 3 months, you may find further useful information in the persistent pain section – Persistent Pain
Several different factors can contribute to the start of neck pain. Sometimes there is an obvious direct cause, but in other instances, the cause is not known. Possible causes include:
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An injury – for example a whiplash injury from a road traffic accident, or a fall.
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Lifting something too heavy, at an awkward angle or repetitively with not enough break.
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A quick change (increase or decrease) to your normal activity or exercise levels.
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Weakness in the muscles in your neck, upper back, or shoulders.
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Changes in the spine due to age (Osteoarthritis) or auto-immune conditions (e.g. spondyloarthritis).
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A flare of long-standing neck pain.
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Neck pain as part of wider whole-body pain (including fibromyalgia) – see persistent pain.
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Lifestyle factors, including: being overweight, drinking too much alcohol or smoking.
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Following a change in your mental health (e.g. a period of stress, worry or low mood).
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Following a period of your body being ‘run down’ (e.g. poor sleep, tiredness or after an illness)
People with neck pain may complain of the below symptoms. These could be on their own, or in any combination. The pain could be there all of the time, or it could come and go (depending on position or what activity you are doing).
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Pain in the neck area. This could travel into the arm or head.
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Stiffness in the neck after a period of not moving. This usually improves within 30 minutes of movement.
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Difficulty with movements such as turning your head or looking up or down.
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Pins and needles/numbness into your arm or hand.
