(Neck Pain, Chronic)
Definition
Definition
Chronic neck pain is pain in the neck over a long period of time. It usually lasts more than 3 months. The pain can range from mild to severe.
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Causes
Causes
Chronic neck pain can be caused by a number of conditions, including problems with the muscles, nerves, or bones.
Risk Factors
Risk Factors
Factors that may increase your risk of chronic neck pain include having:
- Muscle strains and muscle tension
- Poor posture
- Osteoarthritis
- Disc degeneration
- Fibromyalgia
- Spinal stenosis
- Whiplash injury
- Prior spine surgery
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Tumors (rarely)
Symptoms
Symptoms
Chronic neck pain may also cause you to have neck stiffness. Pain may be worse when moving your neck. The pain can be any type of pain including burning, sharp, dull, and tingling. The pain may spread to other parts of the body such as the shoulders and arms.
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Diagnosis
Diagnosis
You will be asked about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. You may be referred to a specialist. Orthopedists specialize in bones and joints. A neurologist or neurosurgeon specializes in the nerves and spinal cord.
Images of your spine may be needed. This can be done with:
Your nerve and muscle function may need to be measured. This can be done using electromyography (EMG).
Treatment
Treatment
Talk with your doctor about the best plan for you. Options include the following:
Activity and Exercise
You may be able to decrease your pain by staying active and exercising. Your doctor may also refer you to a physical therapist. A therapist may work on strength exercises and stretching.
Medications
There are many different medications that may be used to help you manage your neck pain.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)—to treat the pain and reduce inflammation
- Acetaminophen—to treat pain
- Certain antidepressant medications—sometimes used for neck pain
- Certain antiseizure medications
- Corticosteroid injection—to treat the pain and reduce inflammation caused by disc disease
Other Treatments
There are other treatments that might be helpful for neck pain.
- Low-level laser therapy— a light source is directed on the painful area
- Electrotherapy treatments, such as repetitive magnetic stimulation, and nerve and muscle stimulation
- Chiropractic care
- Acupuncture
- Intermittent traction (pulling on the neck)
- Massage
Surgery
Most cases of neck pain are treated medically. In some cases surgery is needed. The type of surgery will depend on the cause of pain. For example, if you have a herniated disc in your neck, surgery will remove the damaged part of the disc.
Prevention
Prevention
To help reduce your chance of neck pain:
- Maintain good posture.
- Take breaks from activities that do not involve movement such as driving or working at a computer.
- Avoid sleeping with too many pillows.
- Get plenty of exercise.
- Make sure your desk chair and keyboard are at proper heights.
- Avoid cradling the phone in your neck.
RESOURCES:
Family Doctor—American Academy of Family Physicians http://www.familydoctor.org
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation http://www.canorth.org
References:
Cervical radicular pain and radiculopathy. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:
http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed
Updated June 8, 2015. Accessed September 3, 2015.
Langevin P, Lowcock J, Weber J, et al. Botulinum toxin intramuscular injections for neck pain: a systematic review and metaanalysis. J Rheumatol. 2011;38(2):203-214.
Misailidou V, Malliou P, Beneka A, Karagiannidis A, Godolias G. Assessment of patients with neck pain: a review of definitions, selection criteria, and measurement tools. J Chiropr Med. 2010;9(2):49-59.
Neck pain. American Academy of Family Physicians website. Available at:
http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/health-tools/search-by-symptom/neck-pain.html
Accessed September 3, 2015.
Neck pain. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Ortho Info website. Available at:
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00231
Updated December 2013. Accessed September 3, 2015
What a pain in the neck! American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation website. Available at:
http://www.aapmr.org/patients/conditions/msk/spine/Pages/Prevent-Neck-Pain.aspx
Accessed September 3, 2015.
12/31/2009 DynaMed’s Systematic Literature Surveillance
http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed:
Chow RT, Johnson MI, Lopes-Martins RA, Bjordal JM. Efficacy of low-level laser therapy in the management of neck pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised placebo or active-treatment controlled trials. Lancet. 2009;374(9705):1897-1908.
12/17/2010 DynaMed’s Systematic Literature Surveillance
http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed:
Andersen LL, Christensen KB, Holtermann A, et al. Effect of physical exercise interventions on musculoskeletal pain in all body regions among office workers: a one-year randomized controlled trial. Man Ther. 2010;15(1):100-104.
11/11/2013 DynaMed’s Systematic Literature Surveillance
http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed:
Kroeling P, Gross A, Graham N, et al. Electrotherapy for neck pain. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013;8:CD004251.
Last Updated: 9/3/2015