Neck Pain

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All About Neck Pain

Peer-Reviewed Article

Neck pain arises from poor posture, muscle strain, or injury in the cervical region. Ergonomics and exercises aid prevention and relief.

Overview

Medical illustration showing spinal stenosis causing nerve impingement in cervical spine

Could That Shoulder Pain Really Stem From the Neck?

Medical illustration highlighting the cervical vertebrae

How the Cervical Spine Changes With Age

Illustration comparing a normal vs elongated styloid process.

Neck Pain from Eagle Syndrome

Posterior view of bone spurs in the cervical spine

Cervical Osteophytes: Bone Spurs in the Neck

Medical illustration of the gas bubbles within the cervical facet joints that lead to crepitus

Neck Cracking and Grinding: What Does It Mean?

Illustration showing the swath of pain caused by a cervicogenic headache

What Is Cervicogenic Headache?

Silhouette of person, the cervical spine is highlighted and the head is highlighted in red, indicating pain.

How Neck Pain and Headache Can Occur Together

Medical illustration of the cervical spine muscles

Understanding Neck Spasms

Degenerative Discs showing Cervical Spondylosis with Myelopathy

Cervical Spondylosis with Myelopathy

What Is Whiplash?

Medical illustration of crowned dens syndrome

Neck Pain from Crowned Dens Syndrome

Medical illustration of the cervical spine, nerves are shown, and muscles are highlighted in pink

Neck Pain from Fibromyalgia

Anterior view of the brachial plexus nerves in the neck and shoulder

Brachial Neuritis (Parsonage-Turner Syndrome)

Illustration of the effect of forward head posture on the neck muscles

Forward Head Posture’s Effect on Neck Muscles

Illustration showing the swath of pain caused by a cervicogenic headache

Neck Pain and Cervicogenic Headache

Woman with neck pain and dizziness

Understanding Neck Pain and Dizziness

Infographic of Occipital Neuralgia Symptoms Causes and Treatments

Occipital Neuralgia Overview Infographic

Stiff Neck Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Numbness and pain in the palmar view of the hand

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome vs. Cervical Radiculopathy

Medical illustration of the nerves in the thoracic outlet

Neck Pain from Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Medical illustration comparing a healthy disc to enthesitis

Neck Pain from Ankylosing Spondylitis

Medical illustration of the cervical spine

Forward Head Posture’s Effect on the Cervical Spine

Illustration showing the swath of pain across the forehead caused by a tension headache

Neck Pain and Tension Headache

Palmar view of hand pain and numbness

Understanding Hand Pain and Numbness

All About Neck Pain

Medical illustration of the gas bubbles within the cervical facet joints that lead to crepitus

Should I Worry About My Neck Cracking?

Medical illustration of nerve impingement in the cervical spine

When Does the Neck’s Spinal Degeneration Become Painful?

X-ray like image highlighting the spinal cord

Neck Pain from Lyme Disease

Animated video still highlighting neck muscles

Neck Strain: Causes and Remedies

Medical illustration of klippel feil syndrome

What to Know About Klippel-Feil Syndrome

Illustration showing the swath of pain caused by a migraine headache

Neck Pain and Migraine Headache

Posterior view of the cervical spine showing radiculopathy

What Is Cervical Radiculopathy?

Medical illustration of a skeleton. The shoulders and arms are highlighted in red indicating pain, numbness or tingling.

Understanding Neck and Shoulder Pain

Video

Posterior view of the skull and neck highlighting the cervical spine.

Cervical Radiculopathy Interactive Video

Posterior view highlighting area of the cervical spine that can cause neck and arm pain

Neck Pain Causes Video

Treatment for Neck Strain or Sprain Video

Man wincing in pain from cervicogenic headache

Cervicogenic Headache Video

Neck Strains and Sprains Video

Man with insets of people looking down in a car, people on a laptop, and woman on a phone.

Video: The 3 Worst Things You Can Do To Your Neck

Woman practicing good posture while texting on her phone.

Text Neck Treatment Video

Woman doing gently stretching her neck outdoors

Video: Home Remedies for Neck Pain

Man sleeping on his stomach in an awkward position

Video: 4 Best Stiff Neck Remedies After Sleep

A man sleeping on his stomach showing the spinal position.

Video: How to Prevent a Stiff Neck While Sleeping

Shoulder cracking with pressure building between bones.

Video: Why Do My Joints Crack?

Neck Spasms Animation

Hand and arm showing pain, tingling and numbness sensation

Video: What is Causing my Hand Pain and Numbness?

Degenerative Discs showing Cervical Spondylosis with Myelopathy

Cervical Spondylosis with Myelopathy Animation

Stiff Neck Symptoms and Causes Animation

Man grabbing neck in pain

Text Neck Symptoms and Causes Video

Two cervical vertebrae with bone spurs

Cervical Bone Spurs Symptoms and Causes Animation

Woman with pain in her head from occipital neuralgia.

Occipital Neuralgia: What It Is and How to Fix It Video

Neck muscles

Got a Stiff Neck? Quick Fixes to Get You Back to Normal Video

Back and neck muscles

Struggling with Forward Head Posture? Here's How to Fix It Video

Symptoms

Woman grabbing her neck in pain while talking with a doctor

Whiplash Symptoms and Associated Disorders

Medical illustration highlighting pain in the neck and upper back muscles

Neck Strain Symptoms

IWoman describing neck pain to the doctor

Text Neck Symptoms and Diagnosis

Medical illustration of the cervical spine

When Is a Stiff Neck Serious?

Medical illustration of the upper back. The shoulders are highlighted in red to indicate pain, numbness or tingling.

Cervical Osteophytes: Symptoms and Diagnosis

Medical illustration of an adolescent spine with thoracic scoliosis

Klippel-Feil Symptoms and Associated Conditions

Medical illustration of inflamed and infected meninges

2 Neck Pain Symptoms That Require Immediate Medical Attention

Medical illustration of the head and upper back. Muscles and nerves in the neck and upper shoulders are highlighted.

Neck Pain Symptoms

Medical illustration of the upper spine, back muscles are highlighted

How Neck Bones and Soft Tissues React to Spinal Degeneration

Medical illustration of nerves of the brachial plexus

Brachial Neuritis Symptoms

Illustration of areas affected by cervical nerve root causing radiculopathy

Cervical Radiculopathy Symptoms

Posterior view of the upper body highlighting the cervical spine.

Cervical Spondylosis and Cervical Myelopathy Symptoms

Medical illustration of a skeleton. The shoulders and arms are highlighted in red indicating pain, numbness or tingling.

Cervical Osteoarthritis Symptoms

cervical spine range of motion

When Neck Stiffness May Mean Meningitis

Woman feeling pressure in her neck

Cervicogenic Headache Symptoms

Causes and Diagnosis

Medical illustration showing the impact of a skull on the back of a head rest in a car as the result of a car accident

Diagnosing Whiplash

Woman with neck pain speaking to a doctor

Little-Known Causes of Neck Pain

Medical staff preparing patient for CT scan

Brachial Neuritis Diagnosis

X-ray of person sitting at desk with proper posture

How Poor Posture Causes Neck Pain

Patient grabbing her neck in pain while talking with a doctor

Diagnosing Cervical Radiculopathy

Medical illustration of the muscles in the cervical spine

What Causes Neck Spasms?

Posterior view of the neck showing the cervical spinal cord.

How Cervical Radiculopathy Causes Pain, Numbness, and Weakness

Medical illustration of the upper shoulders, neck and head. Muscles in the neck are highlighted.

Neck Pain Causes

Medical illustration of cervical facet joints

How Cervical Facet Joint Degeneration Occurs

Two male physicians reviewing a series of x-rays

Diagnosis of Neck Pain from Ankylosing Spondylitis

How Does Text Neck Cause Pain?

Woman holding the side of her head and neck in pain

What Is Causing My Neck Pain and Headache?

Illustration of a problem in the neck leading to dizziness

What Causes Neck Pain and Dizziness?

Can Neck Pain Cause Dizziness?

Infographic of Neck Pain and Headaches Go Together

Causes of Neck Pain with Headaches Infographic

MRI-like illustration of Cervical Myelopathy with Spondylosis

Diagnosis of Spondylosis with Cervical Myelopathy

Medical illustration of a degenerating cervical disc

How Cervical Disc Degeneration Occurs

Anatomy of meningitis in the spinal fluid

How Meningitis Causes Neck Pain and Stiffness

MRI of the cervical spine and the vertebral discs in different views.

Klippel-Feil Syndrome Diagnosis

Medical illustration of the cervical spine

Cervicogenic Headache Causes and Risk Factors

Person holding their hand in pain

What Causes Hand Pain and Numbness?

Medical illustration of a skeleton. The left arm and shoulder are highlighted in red, indicating pain, numbness or tingling.

What Causes Neck and Shoulder Pain?

Woman working at a computer, grabbing her neck in pain

Is My Neck Pain Caused by a Simple Strain or Something Else?

Medical illustration of a cervical selective nerve root block

Diagnosing Cervical Osteoarthritis

Doctors reviewing and x-ray

Neck Strain Diagnosis

Illustration showing gas bubbles within the cervical facet joints that lead to crepitus

Causes of Neck Cracking and Grinding Sounds

Patient talking to her doctor about neck pain

Diagnosis of Cervicogenic Headache

Illustration of nerve root inflammation from cervical foraminal stenosis, the common cause of cervical radiculopathy

Cervical Radiculopathy Causes and Risk Factors

Transparent skeleton flexing its neck forward and backward

3 Reasons You May Have a Stiff Neck

Posterior view of the upper body highlighting pain in the shoulders, neck, and upper back.

How Soft Tissue Injuries Cause Neck Strain

Treatment

Nerve compression at C-7 cervical spine level

Treatment for Neck Pain

Woman doing the corner neck stretch

Neck Exercises for Neck Pain

Closeup of a cervical osteophyte on the facet joint

Cervical Osteophytes: Treatment Options

Tens unit attached to a young man's shoulder

Brachial Neuritis Treatment

Young man sleeping in a bed with a pillow

How to Treat a Stiff Neck After Sleeping

Acupuncture needles being placed on a back

Acupuncture for Chronic Stiff Neck

Views of posture in the neck when using a phone showing increase in pressure as you bend your neck.

Text Neck Treatment and Prevention

Woman getting cervical spine manipulation by a chiropractor

Cervical Radiculopathy Treatment

Illustration of posterior view of trigger points on the neck

Treating Neck Pain from Myofascial Pain Syndrome

Woman holding her neck in pain

2 Ways a Rolled Towel Can Reduce Neck Pain

Osteophytes in the cervical spine causing spinal stenosis.

Cervical Myelopathy Treatment

Chiropractic manipulation of the cervical spine.

Whiplash Treatments and Recovery

Medical illustration showing a disc being replaced between two vertebrae with an artificial disc

Cervical Osteoarthritis Treatment

Chiropractor adjusting patient's neck

Treatment of Neck Pain from Ankylosing Spondylitis

Young professional women taking a phone call at her desk in a busy office.

How to Treat Stiff Neck at the Office

Woman wearing a foam neck brace

Klippel-Feil Syndrome Treatment

Young man with neck pain sitting on floor with woman on the couch

How to Treat Chronic Stiff Neck

Patient receiving chiropractic adjustment of the neck

Treatment of Cervicogenic Headache

Occipital neuralgia illustration

Occipital Neuralgia: What It Is and How to Treat It

Woman holding her neck in pain

How to Relieve a Neck Muscle Spasm

Medical illustration of a lateral view of the upper body with the head leaning forward

Treatment for a Stiff Neck

Woman starting the levator scapula stretch

Neck Strengthening Exercises

Illustration of the molecules that make up biologics

Medications for Neck Pain Caused by Ankylosing Spondylitis

Man lifting a couch on his back

How to Treat Stiff Neck from Physical Work

Anterior view of the pelvis showing a crack in the hip joint.

When Neck Cracking Needs Medical Attention

Chiropractor adjusting a woman's neck

Manual Manipulation and Mobilization for Chronic Stiff Neck

Medical illustration of a cervical selective nerve root block

Surgical Options and Injections for Cervicogenic Headache

Woman resting on a chaise

Home Remedies for Neck Pain and Dizziness

Woman sitting on the bed with head pain

11 Tips to Relieve Headache with Neck Pain

Medical illustration of a cross section view of the location of a cervical laminectomy

Surgery for Neck Pain

Woman stretching neck in the park

Neck Strain Treatments and Prevention

Man holding his neck and his damaged car in the background

How to Treat Stiff Neck After Direct Trauma

Young man holding his neck and reading a tablet with his girlfriend

Stiff Neck Remedies Based on Cause

Chiropractor massaging a young woman's neck

Massage Therapy for Chronic Stiff Neck

Comparison of neutral head posture and forward head tilt

How to Measure and Fix Forward Head Posture

Woman performing the lateral neck extension stretch

Stretches and Exercises for Neck Pain and Dizziness

Woman grabbing her neck in pain while talking with a doctor

How to Relieve Neck Pain Caused by Stress

Posterior views of the location of trigger points

Trigger Point Exercises for Neck Pain

Wellness

Woman cooking with vegetables at her stove.

Anti-Inflammatory Foods to Try for Neck Pain

Pproper head posture and forward head posture

3 Ways to Improve Forward Head Posture

Man sitting at a desk looking down at his phone

10 Tips to Prevent Neck Pain

Man sitting at a desk with incorrect posture

Workplace Ergonomics and Neck Pain

Woman performing a neck exercise at her desk

Self-Care for Chronic Stiff Neck

Man holding their neck in pain

Using a Foam Roller to Relieve Neck Pain

Woman sleeping on her stomach in a bed

Lifestyle Changes to Treat Chronic Stiff Neck

Man sitting in office chair which supports his neck

9 Lesser-Known Tips for Easing Neck Pain