Neck pain

Alternative names:

pain in the neck; sore neck

Definition:

Pain or discomfort in the neck other than from injury or trauma.

Considerations:

Neck pain may originate from any neck structure, ranging from the meninges and cervical vertebrae to blood vessels, muscles, and lymphatic tissue. This symptom can also originate from other areas of the body.

The location, onset, and pattern of the neck pain help determine its origin and underlying causes.

Common causes:

• strain and spasm of the neck muscles
  • most common cause
  • neck pain in the morning may be the result of sleeping habits

• influenza
  • suspected when the neck pain is associated with fever, muscle aches, and a headache

• arthritis
• neck injury which causes a "pinched nerve"
  • When this is the cause of neck pain, the pain may extend down the arm, or there may be numbness or tingling sensations in the arm or hand.
  • This pain maybe only on one side, and neck stiffness is not significant.

• infection
• mononucleosis
• German measles
• in rare cases, cancer

Note: There may be other causes of neck pain. This list is not all inclusive, and the causes are not presented in order of likelihood. The causes of this symptom can include unlikely diseases and medications. Furthermore, the causes may vary based on age and gender of the affected person, as well as on the specific characteristics of the symptom such as location, quality, time course, aggravating factors, relieving factors, and associated complaints. Use the Symptom Analysis option to explore the possible explanations for neck pain, occurring alone or in combination with other problems.