Neck Pain or Stiffness
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Try one of these related symptoms.
I have a pain in my neck
Neck pain gets worse when turning my neck
Neck pain on tilting to the right
Neck pain gets worse when I look up
Limited range of motion of the neck
Stiff neck
Neck pain on tilting to the left
Painful when turning my neck
Neck pain gets worse when I look down
Can't move my neck because it hurts
Hard to rotate my head
Hard to rotate my neck
About the Symptom
Neck pain is discomfort or pain in or around the spine, beneath the head and above the shoulders. It can be aching, sharp, or dull in nature.
When to See a Doctor
Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms
- Dysphagia
- Urinary incontinence
- Chest pain during swallowing
- Fever
- Numbness of the body
- Muscle weakness in the limbs
- Neck pain / stiffness
- Back pain
- Low back pain
- Numbness / sensory disorder
- Swelling of the affected area
Possible Causes
Generally, Neck pain or stiffness can be related to:
Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament (OPLL)
Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is a condition where a flexible structure called the posterior longitudinal ligament becomes thicker and less flexible.
- Cervical Spondylosis
A condition in which the neck bones (cervical spine) become damaged due to wear and tear. Risk factors include long periods of desk work and driving, previous neck injuries, and aging.
- Tension Headache
A type of headache with a band-like, pressing sensation at the forehead and sides. Causes include physical stress, such as long periods of desk work and driving, or mental stress.
- Suppurative Lymphadenitis
- Subacute Thyroiditis
- Depression
- Adjustment Disorder
- Peri-/Post-Menopausal Symptoms
Related Serious Diseases
Sometimes, Neck pain or stiffness may be related to these serious diseases:
- Cervical Cord Injury
Injury to the spinal cord at the neck level, often caused by falls or accidents.
- Tetanus
Doctor's Diagnostic Questions
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:
- Do you have neck pain or stiffness?
- When did you first notice your neck pain or stiffness?
- On a scale of 1 to 10, how severe was your neck pain or stiffness at its worst?
- How often do you experience neck pain or stiffness?
- How is your neck pain or stiffness now?
Reviewed By:
Kent C Doan, MD (Orthopedics)
Dr Doan Graduated from the University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine and completed residency training in Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Colorado. He completed additional fellowship training in Orthopedic Sports Medicine at the prestigious Steadman Clinic and Steadman Philippon Research Institute in Vail, Colorado. He is a practicing Orthopedic Surgeon who specializes in complex and revision knee and shoulder surgery at the Kansas City Orthopedic Institute. He also holds an assistant professorship at the University of Kansas City.
Tomohiro Hamahata, MD (Orthopedics)
Dr. Hamahata graduated from the Jikei University of Medical Science. After working at Asanokawa General Hospital and Kosei Chuo Hospital, he joined the Department of Orthopedics at Asakusa Hospital in April 2021, specializing in general orthopedics and joint replacement surgery.
Content updated on Feb 6, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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See full list
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FAQs
Q.
What Are the Possible Causes of Neck Pain on Only One Side?
A.
Tense neck muscles, whiplash, and a pinched nerve are possible considerations.
References:
Cohen SP. Epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of neck pain. Mayo Clin Proc. 2015 Feb;90(2):284-99. doi: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2014.09.008. PMID: 25659245.
Fandim JV, Nitzsche R, Michaleff ZA, Pena Costa LO, Saragiotto B. The contemporary management of neck pain in adults. Pain Manag. 2021 Jan;11(1):75-87. doi: 10.2217/pmt-2020-0046. Epub 2020 Nov 25. PMID: 33234017.
Kazeminasab S, Nejadghaderi SA, Amiri P, Pourfathi H, Araj-Khodaei M, Sullman MJM, Kolahi AA, Safiri S. Neck pain: global epidemiology, trends and risk factors. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2022 Jan 3;23(1):26. doi: 10.1186/s12891-021-04957-4. PMID: 34980079; PMCID: PMC8725362.
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Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1References
NHS
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/neck-pain-and-stiff-neck/Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 28(17):p 730-736, September 1, 2020. | DOI: 10.5435/JAAOS-D-19-00834