Neck pain has many potential causes ranging from acute problems, like muscle strains and whiplash, to conditions that develop over time, such as cervical spondylosis (neck osteoarthritis) and myofascial pain syndrome. Pinched nerves, infections, fractures, and spinal cord problems are other possible reasons you may be experiencing neck pain.
Diagnosing your neck pain first entails a detailed medical history, whereby your healthcare provider will ask you questions about the location, intensity, and quality of your pain—like whether your pain is mild versus severe or burning versus sharp. Then, your healthcare provider will perform a physical exam, sometimes followed by testing.
Getting to the bottom of your neck pain is important so you can move forward with an appropriate and effective treatment plan, which will differ depending on the reason for your discomfort.
