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Neck Pain

Neck pain may begin in any of the structures in the neck. These include muscles and nerves as well as spinal vertebrae and the cushioning disks in between. Neck pain may also come from regions near the neck, like the shoulder, jaw, head, and upper arms.

When your neck is sore, you may have difficulty moving it, especially to one side. Many people describe this as having a stiff neck.

If neck pain involves nerves (for example, significant muscle spasm pinching on a nerve or a slipped disk pressing on a nerve), you may feel numbness, tingling, or weakness in your arm, hand, or elsewhere.

What treatments are available?

For recent injuries resulting in acute back or neck pain, IPMR Fast Track Back Care® can help.

For minor, common causes of neck pain:

  • Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen
  • Apply heat or ice to the painful area
  • Perform slow range-of-motion exercises to gently stretch the neck muscles
  • Gently massage the sore or painful areas
  • Sleep on a firm mattress without a pillow or with a special neck pillow
See also: Depression, Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Back Pain, Bursitis Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health