Often caused by a muscle strain, neck pain may involve general discomfort, stiffness, or sharp pain at the top of your spine. Playing sports can put you at risk for neck pain, as can some underlying medical conditions.
Doctors often diagnose neck pain with a complete evaluation, which may include imaging tests. Treatment is often a combination of rest and over-the-counter (OTC) medications.
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What Is Neck Pain?
Neck pain refers to discomfort or soreness in the cervical (neck bones) region of the spine. People with neck pain often experience stiffness, aching, or sharp sensations. The level of discomfort can range from mild to severe.
What causes neck pain?
Neck pain can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
- Diseases — Like arthritis, meningitis, or certain infections.
- Injuries — From serious trauma, such as an accident or blow to the head. (Always consult a doctor right away if you have suffered a head trauma.)
- Muscle strains — May result from spending hours hunched over a computer or smartphone.
- Neck joint wear — Can occur with age, similar to other joints in the body.
- Nerve compression — From herniated disks or bone spurs in the vertebrae of the neck pressing on the nerves of the spinal cord.
Other causes of neck pain include twisting, jerking, or other odd head movements.
What are neck pain risk factors and complications?
Neck pain risk factors
Many factors can put you at risk for neck pain, including:
- Age.
- Certain diseases — such as arthritis in the bones of your neck or spine.
- Compression of the nerves.
- Injuries.
- Poor posture or sleeping position.
- Repetitive twisting and turning movements.
- Sports involving rapid neck movements — such as soccer and football.
- Stress and anxiety.
- Worn joints in your neck.
Complications of neck pain
Neck pain can lead to:
- Upper body discomfort.
- Sore muscles.
- Limited enjoyment of your favorite sports and daily activities.
Left untreated, neck pain can cause you to adjust your movements and posture. Compensating for your stiff neck may cause pain in other parts of your body.
How can I prevent neck pain?
To help prevent neck pain, use a pillow that keeps your neck straight. The best pillow for neck pain is neither too high nor too flat.
Find a pillow that:
- Allows you to align your nose with the center of your body when you lie on your side.
- Doesn't force your head forward when you lie on your back.
How common is neck pain?
Neck pain is very common. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about a third of U.S. adults have experienced neck pain in the past three months.
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What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Neck Pain?
People most often notice neck pain and stiffness when turning their head from side to side.
Neck pain symptoms often involve pain that radiates to other parts of the body, such as your:
- Arms and hands.
- Head.
- Shoulders.
Other symptoms of neck pain may include:
- Headaches.
- Pain that travels down the legs.
- Tingling in your hands for no reason.
- Weakness.
When should I see a doctor about my neck pain symptoms?
If adjusting your pillow, resting, and taking OTC pain relievers do not lessen your neck pain after about a week, talk to your doctor about your neck pain symptoms.
Seek medical attention if you have neck pain and any additional serious symptoms like the following:
- Difficulty swallowing or breathing.
- Fever.
- Intense pain that does not improve with rest or OTC pain relievers.
- Radiating pain that spreads to the arms, hands, or fingers.
- Unexplained weight loss.
- Weakness, numbness, or tingling in the arms or hands.
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How Do You Diagnose Neck Pain?
To diagnose your neck pain, your doctor will try to determine what is causing it.
They may order the following tests:
- CT scans — For a closer look at the bone and spinal canal.
- MRI scans — Shows soft tissues, such as the spinal cord and nerves.
- Electromyography (EMG) — Checks nerve and muscle function.
- Myelography — A type of x-ray that involves injecting dye or contrast material into the spinal canal to get a picture of the spinal canal and nerve roots.
- X-rays — To look at the bones.
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How Do You Treat Neck Pain?
If your test results show no serious injury to your neck or spinal cord, your doctor will design the best treatment plan for your neck pain.
Getting the right treatment for your sore neck will help you recover faster and avoid further injury.
At-home treatments for tight neck muscles
To get relief from tight neck muscles, try these tips:
- Apply heat or cold to your neck for 15 to 20 minutes several times a day.
- Gently massage tight neck muscles with your fingers or a foam roller.
- Perform gentle neck stretches to improve flexibility and relieve tension. Try slowly tilting your head to one side and holding for 15 to 20 seconds; then switch sides.
These steps can be combined with an over-the-counter pain reliever.
Neck pain relief for athletes and nonathletes
At UPMC, we treat neck pain in both athletes and nonathletes.
Neck pain treatments may include:
- Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or acetaminophen to help relieve neck pain.
- Rest.
- Therapy to improve your posture and movement.
- Traction.
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS).
- Warm, damp compresses.
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By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2025-05-16.
