Neck pain symptoms

You’ve probably experienced neck pain at some point in your life – most people have. But neck pain usually goes away within a few days. Intense or persistent neck pain that lingers can disrupt your daily activities, making it difficult to focus or relax.

The good news: You don’t have to live with neck pain. At Aurora Health Care, our spine specialists offer a wide range of services to help you find neck pain relief. We provide targeted treatments to help you get back to the activities you love, free from pain.

What does neck pain feel like?

Some people have sharp pain in only one area of their neck, while others have dull, broad pain. It may also feel like there’s pressure on your neck. Many people describe neck pain as tension or stiffness.

Symptoms of neck pain

Muscle stiffness and discomfort is the most common symptom of neck pain. But you may also have:

• Burning or stabbing pain
• Decreased range of motion
• Discomfort that worsens when your turn your head or look up or down
• Facial pain
• Headaches that start in the back of your head and travel around to the front
• Muscle spasms
• Tingling, numbness or weakness that radiates through your arms

Your symptoms may vary depending on the cause of neck pain. For example, a muscle strain is likely to cause neck stiffness, while a pinched nerve is more likely to cause tingling in your arms.

Is neck pain a symptom of stress?

Neck pain can be a symptom of stress. When you’re stressed, you may hold tension in your neck muscles, leading to pain and stiffness.

Managing your stress with healthy coping techniques, such as talk therapy, exercise or journaling, can help. You may also practice neck stretches or use other home remedies to relieve pain in your neck.

How long does neck pain last?

Experts classify neck pain based on how long it lasts. The pain may be:

• Acute, lasting less than 4 weeks
• Subacute, lasting 4 to 12 weeks
• Chronic, lasting 12 weeks or longer

It’s important to tell your doctor how long you’ve had neck pain, what symptoms you experience and what helps relieve symptoms. This information can help your doctor more accurately diagnose the cause and find effective treatment options.

When should I be worried about pain in my neck?

Sometimes, neck pain is simply the result of a minor strain and goes away within several days. But there are times when neck pain may be a cause for concern. In rare cases, the pain could point to an underlying issue such as a neck tumor or meningitis, an infection in the membrane around your spinal cord. Seek medical care right away if you have neck pain along with:

• Balance and coordination problems
• Difficulty walking
• Fever or chills
• Radiating pain
• Tingling in your arms or legs