Exams and Tests

Initial testing

Neck pain is usually evaluated with a medical history and physical exam. Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, injuries or illnesses, any previous treatment, and habits and activities that may be causing your neck pain. During the physical exam, your doctor will check your neck's range of motion and check for pain caused by movement. He or she will look for areas of tenderness and any nerve-related changes, such as numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arm or hand.

Blood tests may be done to check for an illness or infection.

Imaging, electromyogram, and nerve conduction tests

You may not need X-rays or other imaging tests at first. But tests may help if your neck pain doesn't get better, especially when:

• You have signs of nerve damage.
• Another serious problem is suspected.
• The cause of your condition cannot be clearly identified.
• Your doctor is asked to provide documentation of your condition, such as when a lawsuit or an insurance issue is involved.

Besides X-rays, tests may include:

• MRI, which can help identify problems such as a herniated disc or a pinched nerve.
• CT scan, which looks at the bone and spinal canal.
• Myelogram, which looks at the spinal canal and nerve roots.
• Electromyogram and nerve conduction studies, which can help find a nerve problem that is causing pain, numbness, or weakness in the arm or hand.