RehabifyCommon causes
- Posture and screen habits, such as long hours looking down at a laptop or phone
- Muscle strain, after sleeping awkwardly, a sudden movement or carrying heavy bags
- Cervical spondylosis, age-related wear of the discs and joints in the neck, which is common and often causes no pain at all
- Disc problems or a pinched nerve, which can cause pain, tingling or weakness in the arm (cervical radiculopathy)
- Facet joint pain, from the small joints at the back of the neck
- Whiplash, after a sudden jerk of the neck in a road accident
- Less common causes such as inflammatory arthritis, infection or pressure on the spinal cord, which the doctor checks for
Who should see a doctor
Signs to get checked
- Neck pain that lasts more than 2 to 3 weeks or keeps coming back
- Pain, tingling or numbness spreading into the arm or hand
- Weakness in the arm or hand, or dropping things
- Headaches that start from the neck
- Neck pain after a fall or road accident
What happens at Rehabify
- 01
History
When the pain started, your work and screen use, sleep, and what makes it better or worse.
- 02
Examination
Neck movement, posture, shoulder checks, nerve tests in the arms, strength and reflexes.
- 03
Scans if needed
Your existing scans are reviewed. New scans are advised only if they will change your treatment.
- 04
Your plan
Usually posture, work set-up and exercise first, with medicines for comfort. An image-guided injection or nerve block may be offered when pain clearly comes from a specific joint or nerve.
- 05
Rehab
A graded programme with a physiotherapist and at home to build neck and shoulder strength.
The doctor decides the right tests and treatment for you after examining you.
Before and after your visit
How to prepare
- Bring scans, reports and a list of medicines
- Wear a top that lets the doctor see your neck and shoulders
- Note how many hours you spend at a desk or on a phone, and your pillow and sleep position
After your visit
You leave with a written plan, home exercises, simple desk and sleep changes, and a review date. You can send questions on WhatsApp between visits.
When to get help urgently
Medical emergency
Go to an emergency department or call 108 or 112 if neck pain follows a fall or road accident, or comes with weakness or numbness in both arms or legs, trouble walking or with balance, loss of bladder or bowel control, fever with a stiff neck, or a sudden severe headache.
Common questions
Is cervical spondylosis serious?
Usually not. Cervical spondylosis means age-related wear in the neck, and most adults over 40 show it on X-rays, often without any pain. It becomes a concern only when it presses on a nerve or the spinal cord. The doctor checks for this during the examination and explains what your scan really means.
Should I wear a neck collar?
Mostly no. A soft collar may help for a few days after an injury, but wearing it for long weakens the neck muscles and slows recovery. Gentle movement and exercise usually help more. The doctor will tell you if a collar is needed in your case.
Which pillow is best for neck pain?
There is no single right pillow. Choose one that keeps your neck level with your body, neither bent up nor dropping down. Sleeping on your back or side usually suits the neck better than lying on your stomach. The doctor can give advice based on your posture.
Can neck pain cause arm pain or tingling?
Yes. When a disc or bony change irritates a nerve in the neck, pain, tingling or numbness can spread down the arm into the hand. This is called cervical radiculopathy. Most cases improve without surgery, but weakness needs a prompt check by a doctor.
How can I prevent neck pain at work?
Raise your screen to eye level, keep the keyboard close, sit with back support and take a short break every 30 to 45 minutes. Hold your phone higher instead of bending your head down. Regular neck and shoulder exercises also help.
When is an injection used for neck pain?
When pain clearly comes from a specific joint or nerve and has not settled with exercise and medicines. The injection is guided by imaging so it reaches the right place. It is used to calm pain so rehab can work, not as the only treatment.
Sources
- [1]
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Clinical Knowledge Summary. Neck pain
- [2]
American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) clinical practice guideline. Neck pain, 2017
- [3]
North American Spine Society (NASS) guideline on cervical radiculopathy from degenerative disorders
This page is for general education and does not replace a consultation. The right plan depends on your examination.