Neck Pain

Symptoms

DEFINITION

• Pain in the back, side or front of the neck

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Common Causes

• Muscle Strain:  New onset neck pain is often from strained neck muscles caused by sleeping in an awkward position; cradling the telephone between neck and shoulder for an extended conversation; painting a ceiling; reading in bed; reaching for something that was difficult to get; sitting in the front row of a movie theater; looking at something that requires extreme bending or turning of neck; prolonged typing; and so on.
• Muscle Tension/Spasm: Muscle tension neck pain is one of the most common causes of new onset neck pain. It is seen in every age group and is related to stressful situations in the workplace and at home. The pain may radiate (shoot, spread) into the upper back and into the scalp. Frequently, individuals with this type of muscle tension neck pain will report that the discomfort is worse toward the end of the day. Therapy for this type of pain should be directed at stress reduction, good posture, and gentle neck exercises.

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See More Appropriate Topic (instead of this one) If

• BACK PAIN is main concern

Should I Call?

WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR

Call 911 Now (you may need an ambulance) If

• Very weak (can't stand)

Call Your Doctor Now (night or day) If

• You feel weak or very sick
• Fever and stiff neck (can't touch chin to chest)
• Headache and stiff neck (can't touch chin to chest)
• Weakness in the arms or legs
• Numbness or tingling in arms, upper back or legs
• Problems with bowel or bladder control
• Difficulty breathing or unusual sweating (e.g, sweating without exertion)
• Chest pain
• Intravenous drug abuse
• Head is twisting to one side (i.e. turning against your will)

Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9 am and 4 pm) If

• You think you need to be seen
• You have a history of cancer, HIV, or intravenous drug abuse
• Tenderness or swelling of front of neck over windpipe
• Neck pain radiates (shoots, spreads) into the arm or hand

Call Your Doctor During Weekday Office Hours If

• You have other questions or concerns
• Neck pain lasts more than 2 weeks
• Neck pains are a recurrent problem
• Over 50 years old and you have not experienced similar neck pain previously
• Neck pain lasts more than 3 days and it interferes with normal activities or awakens from sleep

Self Care at Home If

• Mild neck pain and you don't think you need to be seen

Care at Home

HOME CARE ADVICE FOR MILD NECK PAIN

1. Reassurance: Prolonged turning of the head or working in an awkward position can cause muscle pain in the back of the neck. With treatment, the pain usually resolves in 1 to 2 weeks.
2. Local Cold Or Heat: During the first 2 days after a mild injury, apply a cold pack or an ice bag (wrapped in a towel) for 20 minutes four times a day. After 2 days, apply a heating pad or hot water bottle to the most painful area for 20 minutes whenever the pain flares up. Wrap hot water bottles or heating pads in a towel to avoid burns.
3. Sleep: Sleep on your back or side, not the abdomen. Sleep with a neck collar - use a foam neck collar (from a pharmacy) OR a small towel wrapped around the neck (Reason: keep the head from moving too much during sleep).
4. Stretching Exercises:
   • After 48 hours of protecting the neck, begin gentle stretching exercises.
   • Improve the tone of the neck muscles with 2 or 3 minutes of gentle stretching exercises per day such as touching the chin to each shoulder, touching the ear to each shoulder, and moving the head forward and backward.
   • Don't apply any resistance during these stretching exercises.
5. Pain Medication:
   • For pain relief, take acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
   • Acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol): The dose is 650 mg by mouth every 4 hours or 1000 mg by mouth every 6 hours. Maximum dose per day = 4000 mg.
   • Ibuprofen (e.g., Motrin, Advil): The dose is 400 mg by mouth every 6 hours or 600 mg by mouth every 8 hours.
   • People who are over 65 Years of age: Acetaminophen is generally considered safer than ibuprofen. Acetaminophen dosing interval should be increased to every 8 hours because of reduced liver metabolism. Maximum dose per day = 3000 mg.
   • CAUTION: Do not take ibuprofen if you have stomach problems, kidney disease, are pregnant, or have been told by your doctor to avoid this type of anti-inflammatory drug. Do not take ibuprofen for more than 7 days without consulting your doctor.
   • CAUTION: Do not take acetaminophen if you have liver disease.
   • Read the package instructions thoroughly on all medications that you take.
6. Good Body Mechanics:
   • Lifting: Stand close to the object to be lifted. Keep your back straight and lift by bending your legs. Ask for help if needed.
   • Sleeping: Sleep on a firm mattress.
   • Sitting: Avoid sitting for long periods of time without a break. Avoid slouching. Place a pillow or towel behind your lower back for support.
   • Computer screen: place at eye level.
   • Posture: Maintain good posture.
7. Avoid: Avoid triggers that overstress the neck such as working with the neck turned or bent backward, carrying heavy objects on the head, carrying heavy objects with one arm (instead of both arms), standing on the head, contact sports or even friendly wrestling.
8. Call Your Doctor If:
   • Numbness or weakness occurs
   • Bowel or bladder problems occur
   • Pain persists for more than 2 weeks
   • You become worse

And remember, contact your doctor if you develop any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.

Photo Example

 

First Aid - Neck Injury

• Protect the neck from movement. Roll up towels (or blanket or clothing) and place them on either side of the head to keep the head from moving.
• Don't move victim until a neck brace is applied.

Notes:

• The Modified HAINES Position is preferable if the victim is vomiting or having trouble breathing. See: First Aid - Neck Injury (Modified HAINES)

First Aid - Neck Injury (Modified HAINES)

This position is termed the High Arm IN Endangered Spine or HAINES position.

Note that the this position has two significant differences when compared with the standard lateral recovery position:

• The arm closest to the ground is fully outstretched and lies under the head
• Both legs are flexed at the hip and the knee resulting in one lying on top of the other.

The modified HAINES position results in a more neutral position of the spine making it preferable to the lateral recovery position in the management of patients in whom cervical spine injury may have occurred.