Types of neck pain

Neck pain is grouped by how long it lasts and what is behind it.

By duration

• Acute: lasts less than 6 weeks. Usually from strain, poor sleep position or minor injury.
• Subacute: 6 to 12 weeks
• Chronic: lasts more than 12 weeks. Often linked to posture, wear of the spine, stress or other conditions.

By cause

• Mechanical neck pain: from muscles, ligaments and joints. The most common type.
• Cervical spondylosis: age-related wear in the neck bones and discs
• Cervical radiculopathy: a pinched nerve, causing arm pain, tingling or weakness
• Cervical myelopathy: pressure on the spinal cord, causing clumsy hands, trouble walking and balance problems. It needs urgent specialist care.
• Whiplash-associated disorder: after a sudden jerk to the neck
• Torticollis (wry neck): a painful twist and muscle spasm that holds the head to one side
• Tension-type neck pain: linked to stress and posture
• Inflammatory neck pain: from arthritis, with morning stiffness
• Infection or tumour related: rare and serious

Related pain

• Cervicogenic headache: headache that starts from the neck
• Referred pain from the heart, shoulder or jaw

Ayurvedic view

Traditional texts group neck pain by Dosha. These groups do not match modern types.

Remember

The type decides treatment. A doctor can tell the type from your history and examination, and tests only when needed.

When to get help

Seek a doctor's advice if symptoms last beyond two weeks, keep returning, or come with arm weakness, numbness, fever or trouble walking. Avoid self-medicating for long periods, and do not use oils, herbs or home remedies on infants or young children without a paediatrician's advice. In an emergency call 112 or 102.