Neck pain
What is neck pain?
Neck pain is common and can affect up to 70% of people at some point in their lives. While the causes vary, it’s rarely something to worry about. This page offers simple tips to help speed up your recovery.
Neck pain refers to discomfort in the front, sides, or back of the neck. It may also spread to the shoulder blades or arms.
Symptoms may include:
- Pain or stiffness in the neck
- Pain triggered by activities like sitting for long periods, getting comfortable in bed, or turning/bending your neck
- Pain radiating down the arms or into the shoulder blades
Call 999 or go to A&E if you experience:
- Sudden weakness or difficulty coordinating your arms or legs
- Sudden loss of feeling (numbness) or persistent pins and needles in your face, arm, or hand
- New onset of fainting, double vision, or difficulty speaking or swallowing
- An “electric shock” feeling in your neck or back that may radiate into your arms or legs
7 facts about neck pain
Scans are important but only in a minority of people. They may be indicated if there has been a traumatic injury or a loss of sensation and power in the arms, but they are unhelpful at showing the cause of neck pain in most cases.
There is no one posture which prevents or lessens neck pain. Regular, relaxed movement is far more important than posture.
Learning to relax the neck and to move the neck in all directions is not only safe, but it’s also healthy for the neck.
For instance, it’s perfectly safe to sleep on your front with the neck turned to the side. Find whatever feels comfortable for you. All sleeping positions are safe.
The neck and the surrounding tissues are highly robust and stable, designed to withstand load, force and movement.
Immobilising the neck (such as using a neck collar) may avoid pain in the short term but it will likely make the problem worse in the long term.
Surgery is rarely needed for neck pain and most disc bulges shrink over time.