What Increases Your Risk

Risk factors for neck pain that you cannot control include:

• Age. People older than 50 are more likely to have breakdown (degeneration) of discs or joints, as well as bone spurs in the vertebrae of the neck (cervical spondylosis).
• Recent injury or history of injury. A common injury to the neck is whiplash caused by a car accident.
• Conditions that affect the bones and soft tissues of the neck and back, such as rheumatoid arthritis, a narrowing of the spinal canal (cervical spinal stenosis), or a severely curved spine (scoliosis).
• A history of headaches.

Risk factors that you can control include:

• Awkward positions that put stress on the neck, or poor posture at home or at work.
• Stress or depression, or boredom at or unhappiness with work.
• Heavy physical work.
• Smoking or drug abuse.
• Poor physical condition and lack of exercise.

When To Call a Doctor

Call or other emergency services immediately if:

• A person has signs of damage to the spine after an injury (such as a car accident, a fall, or a direct blow to the spine). Signs may include:
  • Being unable to move part of the body.
  • Severe back or neck pain.
  • Weakness, tingling, or numbness in the arms or legs.
  • Loss of bladder or bowel control.
• You suddenly lose bowel or bladder control or your ability to stand, even if you were not injured.
• You have neck pain that occurs with chest pain and other symptoms of a heart attack.

Call your doctor if you have:

• Severe pain that does not improve after a few days of home treatment.
• Numbness, tingling, or weakness in your chest, belly, buttocks, arms, or legs.
• Neck pain with severe arm pain.
• Other pain that isn't better after 2 weeks of home treatment.

Watchful waiting

Most neck pain doesn't require a visit to a doctor.

If the pain doesn't get better after 1 or 2 days and you can't do your normal daily activities, call your doctor.

If you still have mild to moderate pain after at least 2 weeks of home treatment, talk with your doctor. He or she may want to check for problems that may be causing your neck pain.

Who to see

Health professionals who can evaluate and treat neck pain include:

• Emergency doctors.
• Primary care providers. This includes:
  • Internists.
  • Family doctors.
  • Nurse practitioners.
  • Physician assistants.

If your neck pain is severe or long-lasting, health professionals who can treat you include:

• Physical therapists.
• Orthopedists.
• Rheumatologists.
• Neurologists.
• Neurosurgeons.
• Osteopathic doctors.
• Physiatrists.

You can also get care from:

• Acupuncturists.
• Certified massage therapists.
• Chiropractors.

To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.