When is neck pain serious

Any abnormalities, inflammation, or injury can cause neck pain or stiffness. Many people experience neck pain or stiffness occasionally. Sometimes, neck pain is caused by injury from a fall, contact sports, or whiplash. If you have neck pain that continues for more than a week, is severe, or is accompanied by other symptoms, seek medical attention immediately. The neck is particularly vulnerable to injury, especially in falls, car accidents, and sports, where the muscles and ligaments of the neck are forced to move outside of their normal range.

If the neck bones cervical vertebrae are fractured, the spinal cord may also be damaged. Neck injury due to sudden jerking of the head is commonly called whiplash. Neck pain can also be a symptom of a heart attack , but it often presents with other symptoms of a heart attack, such as:.

If your neck hurts and you have other symptoms of heart attack, call an ambulance or go to the emergency room immediately. Meningitis is an inflammation of the thin tissue that surrounds the brain and spinal cord.

In people who have meningitis, a fever and a headache often occur with a stiff neck. Meningitis can be fatal and is a medical emergency. If symptoms persist for more than a week, consult with your doctor. You should also see a doctor if you have:. Sometimes, neck pain is a minor nuisance that can be remedied with a few lifestyle changes and maybe some gentle stretching. The most common causes of chronic neck pain are muscle strain and nerve compression.

Most muscle strain comes from activities that place a lot of uneven strain on one side of your neck. Nerve compression occurs when one or more of the nerves around the neck gets pinched or pressed as it leaves your upper spine called the cervical spine. When the nerves exit the cervical spine, they travel through your shoulders and down into your arms and hands. If a disc in your cervical spine slips out of place or if the tissues in your neck get swollen and inflamed, the nerves in that area can get squeezed.

And that means you can have pain and other symptoms in your neck and anywhere along the path of that nerve. Often, the earliest signs of nerve compression are similar to the symptoms experienced when you strain a muscle — that is, aching and pain around the neck, upper back, and shoulder region. Neck pain is a common complaint. Neck muscles can be strained from poor posture — whether it's leaning over your computer or hunching over your workbench.

Osteoarthritis also is a common cause of neck pain. Rarely, neck pain can be a symptom of a more serious problem. Seek medical care if your neck pain is accompanied by numbness or loss of strength in your arms or hands or if you have shooting pain into your shoulder or down your arm. Seek immediate care if severe neck pain results from an injury, such as a motor vehicle accident, diving accident or fall. Your neck is flexible and supports the weight of your head, so it can be vulnerable to injuries and conditions that cause pain and restrict motion.

Neck pain causes include:. Definition Causes When to see a doctor. Products and services. When to see a doctor By Mayo Clinic Staff. Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information.

Please try again. Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Show references Neck pain. American College of Rheumatology. Accessed June 11, Chronic neck pain tip sheet.