Neck Pain or Stiffness
Free Symptom Checker
with Physician-supervised AI
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 Apr 4, 2024
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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
How Ubie Can Help You
With a free 3-min quiz, powered by Ubie's AI and doctors, find possible causes of your symptoms.
This questionnaire is customized to your situation and symptoms, including the following personal information:
Biological Sex - helps us provide relevant suggestions for male vs. female conditions.
Age - adjusts our guidance based on any age-related health factors.
History - considers past illnesses, surgeries, family history, and lifestyle choices.
Your symptoms
Our AI
Your report
Your personal report will tell you
✔ When to see a doctor
✔︎ What causes your symptoms
✔︎ Treatment information etc.
People with similar symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes
- I can't sleep because my neck hurts
- Unable to turn my head at all even though there is no pain
- Unable to turn my neck at all even though there is no pain
- Neck pain gets worse when I stretch my neck downwards
- Neck pain gets worse when I stretch my neck upwards
- Pain in the neck when moving head towards shoulders
- Can't turn around to look because of neck pain
- Neck pain gets worse when I face to the right
- I feel uncomfortable behind my neck
- Neck pain gets worse when I face to the left
- Neck pain gets worse when I face downwards
- Neck pain gets worse when I face upwards
- Can barely move my neck because of pain
- Neck pain when cocking head to one side
- I feel uncomfortable in my neck
See full list
Just 3 minutes.
Developed by doctors.
Try Free Symptom QuizAbout 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:
- Retropharyngeal Abscess
A retropharyngeal abscess is rare but potentially life-threatening infection that forms behind the back wall of the throat. Symptoms include sore throat, fevers, inability to completely open jaw (trismus), and limited neck range of motion. Imaging including ultrasounds and CT scans might be used to determine severity.
- 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.
Suppurative Lymphadenitis
Lymphadenitis suppurativa is the inflammation and suppuration (pus formation) of lymph nodes in the body.
- Tension Headache
Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament (OPLL)
- Depression
- Adjustment Disorder
- Peri-/Post-Menopausal Symptoms
- Migraine
- Occipital Neuralgia
Doctor's Diagnostic Questions
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:
- Do you have neck pain or stiffness?
- How long have you had neck pain or stiffness?
- On a scale of 1-10, how severe was the pain or stiffness in your neck?
- Have you had neck pain or stiffness before?
- How has your neck pain or stiffness changed since it started?
Just 3 minutes.
Developed by doctors.
Try Free Symptom QuizFAQs
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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References
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
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.
What People Say about Ubie?
Male, 30s
I got more answers in one minute through your site than I did in three hours with Google.
(Sep 29, 2024)
Male, 20s
My experience was great. I was worried, but the symptom checker helped me narrow down what it might be. I feel a little relieved compared to when I first started, and it gives me a starting point for what my symptoms could mean.
(Sep 27, 2024)
Male, 50s
The questions asked and possible causes seemed spot on, putting me at ease for a next-step solution.
(Sep 26, 2024)
Female, 40s
I was actually very impressed with the results it provided because, although I didn’t mention it during the questionnaire because I thought it was unrelated, it suggested I may have something I’ve actually been diagnosed with in the past.
(Sep 25, 2024)
Just 3 minutes.
Developed by doctors.
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Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1