Neck pain can be due to many different problems, but the most common is a muscle strain. The neck soreness is often accompanied by pain that radiates into the back of the head as well. Most of these cases can be successfully treated for a short time with mild pain medications, neck exercises and attention to proper posture.

Sometimes neck pain is of longer duration. This is often a result of spinal arthritis and degenerative changes in the discs – things that occur in almost everyone by the age of 50, and in about half of those in their 40’s. Most people with these X-ray changes do not have any problem at all with their necks, but sometimes the arthritis can be more of a problem, and when painful, can be associated with stiffness and tightness due to muscle spasm. Sometimes this pain can extend into one or both shoulders. After an examination (and sometimes X-rays) to rule out a more unusual problem, the symptoms are treated with non-narcotic pain medications, anti-inflammatories (NSAID’s), exercises, and perhaps physical therapy or chiropractic treatment. Scans are generally not needed at this time. If the problem persists despite these measures, a scan can be done followed by a referral to a neurosurgeon, although even then, most do not need surgery.