Neck Pain or Stiffness
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with Physician-supervised AI

Reviewed By:

Kent C Doan, MD

Kent C Doan, MD (Orthopedic surgery)

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

Tomohiro Hamahata, MD (Orthopedic surgery)

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.

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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

  • 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

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Content updated on Nov 26, 2023

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

  • osteoporosis

    Osteoporosis is a disease that makes your bones weak and brittle, resulting in the bone to fracture easily even with minor trauma or stress (for instance, after a simple fall). It may be caused due to long-term low calcium intake, estrogen deficiencies in women, and an inactive lifestyle.

  • 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.

  • Chronic pain

    Pain that is ongoing and typically lasts longer than six months. This kind of pain can persist even after the injury or illness causing it has healed or disappeared. It interferes with daily life and can lead to depression and anxiety.

  • Shoulder periarthritis
  • Migraine
  • Acute tonsillitis / pharyngitis
  • Sinusitis
  • Adjustment disorder
  • Lumbar vertebrae disk herniation
  • Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

Questions your doctor may ask about this symptom

Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom

  • Do you have neck pain or stiffness?

  • Is the affected area red?

  • Is the affected area swollen?

  • Do you have a fever?

  • Do you feel fatigued?

Other Related Symptoms

Similar symptoms or complaints

Symptoms treated by the same specialty

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

Kent C Doan, MD (Orthopedic surgery)

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

Tomohiro Hamahata, MD (Orthopedic surgery)

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.

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