Worrisome Neck Pain Symptoms

Neck pain is a common condition. Most people will experience it in their lifetime. It can range from mild discomfort to a dull ache to severe, burning pain. Neck pain can be caused by an injury, a mechanical problem, a trapped nerve, an awkward sleeping position, poor posture, arthritis, and most commonly, worry and stress.

While chronic neck pain caused by mental and emotional stress is a modern American epidemic, there are some neck pain symptoms that are slightly more worrisome.

In some cases, neck pain may indicate a more serious problem than stress and require that you seek immediate attention from your doctor.

Worrisome Neck Pain Symptoms

In some cases, neck pain can indicate a head injury or neurological problem. Call your doctor if you or someone you know is experiencing any of the following symptoms accompanying their neck pain:

• Drowsiness or confusion
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Pain behind one eye
• Vision, hearing, taste or balance are affected
• Muscle power in the arms or legs is reduced

Neck pain can also be a symptom of nerve irritation. Call your doctor if you or someone you know is experiencing shooting pain radiating to the shoulder, through the shoulder blades or down the arm, with or without numbness or tingling in the fingers.

In rare instances, neck pain can be a symptom of meningitis. Call your doctor if you or someone you know is experiencing any of the following symptoms accompanying their neck pain:

• A rash that doesn't fade when you press it with a finger
• Fever
• Bending the neck forward is so painful that the patient can't put their chin on their chest.
• Light hurts the eyes
• Severe headache
• Continuous vomiting
• Severe pain in the back

Finally, neck pain can be a symptom of a more serious underlying problem. Contact your doctor if you or someone you know is experiencing any of the following symptoms accompanying their neck pain:

• Unexplained weight loss
• Co-existing illness
• Tenderness or pain in the vertebrae
• One or both of the arms become weak, clumsy or numb
• Pain continually getting worse despite treatment

If you do not have any of these symptoms, most neck pain will respond to self-care. Try the following:

Self-Care for Neck Pain

• Gentle stretching. Gently move your neck to one side and hold it there as you take 5 deep breaths. Repeat on the other side. Stretching your neck will relieve tension and help alleviate some of the pain.

• Rest. Lie down from time to time during the day to give your neck a rest from holding up your head.

• t;strong>Alternate heat and cold. Reduce inflammation by applying an ice pack or ice wrapped in a towel, for up to 20 minutes several times a day. Alternate the cold treatment with heat. Take a warm shower or use a heating pad on the low setting. Heat can help relax muscles, but it sometimes can aggravate inflammation, so use it with caution.

• Try over-the-counter pain relievers. These can provide some temporary relief from neck pain and include aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen sodium or acetaminophen.

Note: If your neck pain doesn't get better with these or other recommended self-care measures, contact your doctor for an evaluation and other treatment options.

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