Neck Pain : Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and More

Symptoms of Neck Pain | Causes of Neck Pain | How Can You Prevent Neck Pain?| Treatment at Home | Diagnosis & Tests | Medical treatment| Yoga Steps for Neck Pain

neck pain causes

How can you tell if your neck pain symptoms are serious? What causes neck pain? How do you treat and prevent neck pain?

Find out everything you need to know about neck pain in this comprehensive guide, including answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about how to deal with neck pain symptoms, how to reduce your risk of developing neck pain, and much more. For other treatments click here.

Symptoms of neck pain can vary widely, a few of them are described below:

  • Pain and stiffness: Many people experience significant pain in their necks. In fact, a stiff neck is often one of the first symptoms to appear when you have neck pain.
  • Tingling or numbness: If you experience numbness or tingling on one side of your body, it’s possible that you have a pinched nerve in your neck. This condition is known as cervical radiculopathy and can cause pain or weakness when using your hand or arm. To get relief from symptoms of cervical radiculopathy, use heat on your neck for 15 minutes three times a day. Over-the-counter pain relievers can also help reduce discomfort.
  • Dizziness: If you feel yourself beginning to lose your balance or are unable to keep your head up straight for more than a few minutes at a time, it’s likely that your pain is progressing.
  • Headache: One of the most common neck pain symptoms is a headache that worsens when you turn your head. A sharp, dull or throbbing pain in your neck can indicate a migraine or tension headache.
  • Sudden shooting pains in any area of your upper body.
  • Other symptoms are Muscle tightness, weak grip strength, lack of coordination.

Whatever your symptoms are, they’re typically worsened by poor posture (sitting hunched over at a computer), sleeping on your stomach with your head turned to one side all night long, or lifting something too heavy.

Causes of Neck Pain

There are many causes of neck pain, but the majority result from:

  • Joint damage
  • Pinched nerve
  • Muscle dysfunction
  • Poor posture
  • Bad sleep habits
  • Sports injuries
  • Arthritis
  • Infectious disease
  • A continuous and repetitive motion

How Can You Prevent Neck Pain?

If you frequently work at a computer or keep your head down while texting on your smartphone, then it’s more likely that you’ll experience neck pain. To prevent future issues, keep your neck in good shape by exercising and stretching it often.

Other things to prevents this pain:

  • Always use good posture
  • Sleep in a good position
  • Adjust your computer monitor and screen so that it sits a few inches below eye level
  • Do not tuck the phone between your ear and shoulder during phone calls
  • Engage in regular exercise, including yoga
  • Sit and stand properly
  • Eat healthy food
  • Lift heavy items carefully

How to ease neck pain at home:

  • Try lying down for a few minutes with your head supported by a pillow
  • Alternate applying a cold pack or heating pad on your neck; don’t place them directly on bare skin to avoid burns
  • Limit or stop physical activity, depending on the severity.

If pain persists for more than two weeks, visit your doctor for an examination and diagnosis.

Diagnosis & Tests:


To identify the cause of your neck pain, a doctor will first do a physical exam. You may also undergo imaging tests like x-rays or MRI scans. The goal is to look for signs of nerve damage or degeneration in your cervical spine (neck).

This is usually caused by wear and tear on your joints that become more prevalent as you age.

How Can Elite Pain and Spine Help?


Neck pain symptoms can range from mild to severe. Many individuals develop neck pain due to poor posture, repetitive movements of their head or spinal column or a past injury that has not healed properly. When you come into Elite Pain and Spine Institute we can evaluate your case and determine if you are a candidate for nonsurgical treatment. If surgery is recommended as part of your overall care plan, our physicians have a wealth of experience in dealing with these issues. If you are experiencing neck pain, feel free to contact us today at 480-900-7373 to learn how Elite Pain & Spine Institute can help you relieve your symptoms.


Yoga Steps for Neck Pain

Yoga is great for strengthening our muscles (good news if you’re plagued by pain), as well as relieving stress. Here are five of our favorite poses to keep your neck healthy:

neck pain
Standing Forward Bend
Neck pain treatment
Seated Twist
Yoga for neck pain
Crescent Lunge
Wide-Legged Seated Forward Bend
Wide-Legged Seated Forward Bend
Half Lord of the Fishes Pose
Half Lord of the Fishes Pose

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