Neck Pain and Stiff Neck
Neck pain is very common, and most of it comes from the muscles, ligaments and small joints of the neck rather than anything serious. Long hours bent over a phone or laptop, sleeping awkwardly, driving in heavy traffic and carrying loads on the head all play a part, and wear in the neck joints becomes common after forty. In Nigeria many people rub ointment, apply hot water or have the neck massaged hard and then wait, and the pain keeps returning because the cause has not changed. Most neck pain improves within weeks with gentle movement, good posture and exercise, and a physiotherapist can speed that up. Pain or tingling that spreads into the arm can mean a trapped nerve and should be assessed.
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Symptoms
- Aching or stiffness in the neck, often worse in the morning or after long sitting
- Difficulty turning the head, for example when reversing a car
- Pain spreading to the shoulders or between the shoulder blades
- Headaches that start at the back of the head
- Pain, tingling or numbness spreading down one arm into the hand
- Muscle spasm and tender knots in the neck and shoulders
When to See a Doctor
See a doctor or physiotherapist if neck pain lasts more than two weeks, keeps coming back, or spreads into the arm with tingling or numbness. See a doctor before any manipulation if the pain followed a fall or road accident. Go to an emergency department for neck pain after a significant injury, weakness or clumsiness in the arms or legs, difficulty walking, loss of bladder or bowel control, or a severe headache with fever, a stiff neck and dislike of light, which can be meningitis. See a doctor promptly for neck pain with fever, unexplained weight loss or a history of cancer.
Treatment options
- Staying gently active and keeping the neck moving rather than resting it in a collar
- Physiotherapy: hands-on treatment, stretching and strengthening exercises
- Changes to desk, phone, pillow and driving posture
- Simple pain relief such as paracetamol or a short course of an anti-inflammatory
- Heat for muscle spasm in the first days
- An X-ray or MRI only when there are warning signs or arm symptoms that do not settle
What it costs on Mezo
Published cash prices for the treatments used for this condition.
Common Questions
Is neck pain caused by sleeping with a bad pillow?
A pillow that is too high, too low or too soft can trigger a stiff neck, but long hours looking down at a phone or laptop are a bigger cause for most people. A pillow that keeps the neck level with the body, and regular breaks from screens, both help.
Should I wear a neck collar?
Usually not. A soft collar may help for a day or two after a sudden strain, but wearing one for longer weakens the neck muscles and slows recovery. Gentle movement is better.
Can physiotherapy help a trapped nerve in the neck?
Yes. Most trapped nerves in the neck settle with time, exercise and physiotherapy. Weakness in the arm, or symptoms that are getting worse, need a doctor and sometimes an MRI scan.
Need Help?
Paid online. Assessment and a home exercise programme on the first visit.
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