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Neck Pain

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The proverbial "pain in the neck" can be caused by stress or by a number of health problems, including some that may have serious consequences. Follow this chart for suggestions if you have been suffering from stiffness, soreness or cramps in the neck.


 

SYMPTOMS   DIAGNOSIS   SELF-CARE
Begin here        
1. Have you been involved in an accident that involved your neck? No --> Go to Question 4.*    
Yes, go down        
2. Are you having pain or numbness down your arms or legs? Yes --> This may be simple MUSCLE SPASM from the accident, but it also may be injury to the SPINAL CORD. --> URGENT
If you have these symptoms right after the accident, go to the emergency room. If the doctor diagnoses your problem as muscle spasm, use analgesics and apply heat to the sore area as recommended by the doctor.
No, go down        
3. Has the pain come on slowly over a few hours or days after the accident? Yes --> MUSCLE ACHES and SPASMS usually develop minutes to hours after the accident. --> Check with your doctor, who may recommend you take anti-inflammatory medicines for comfort and apply heat to the sore area.
No, go down        
*4. Do you have a fever, stiff neck, vomiting, and do normal lights hurt your eyes? Yes --> Your symptoms may be from a simple viral illness or from MENINGITIS, a more serious infection around the brain. --> EMERGENCY
If your symptoms are severe or came on rapidly, contact your doctor or go to the emergency room right away.
No, go down        
5. Do you have an aching throbbing or numbness down your shoulder or into your arm? Yes --> Your symptoms may be from a HERNIATED CERVICAL DISK, a protrusion of the center portion of the spine that is pressing against a nerve. It may also be from simple MUSCLE SPASM. --> If your symptoms came on suddenly, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Otherwise, treat yourself with analgesics and heat.
No, go down        
6. Do you have a stiff neck when you awake from sleeping? Yes --> Your pain is probably from simple MUSCLE SPASM, RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS or FIBROMYALGIA. --> Use heat and anti-inflammatory medicines. If no improvement comes with these treatments, contact your doctor.
No, go down        
7. Did you have a whiplash-type injury many years ago, or do you have stiffness every day in your hands, knees, hips, or other joints? Yes --> Your pain may be from DEGENERATIVE CERVICAL ARTHRITIS, bony changes in the neck portion of the spine. --> Use an anti-inflammatory medicine. If this doesn't help, see your doctor.
No, go down        
For more information, please consult your doctor. If you think the problem is serious, call right away.    

This tool has been reviewed by doctors and is for general educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for medical advice. The information in this tool should not be relied upon to make decisions about your health. Always consult your family doctor with questions about your individual condition(s) and/or circumstances. Source: American Academy of Family Physicians. Family Health & Medical Guide. Dallas: Word Publishing; 1996.

Copyright © 2006 American Academy of Family Physicians
 

 
 
 

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