Neck Pain Home A-Z Health Information Health Library A-Z Neck Pain Overview Neck pain may present as mild discomfort, which improves with gentle stretching, while some patients may experience severe pain that may not respond to simple analgesics. Although this condition is self-limiting, patients may seek medical advice for rapid rehabilitation. Risk factors This condition may arise in all age groups. Although unusual in the paediatric age group, children require medical attention for further evaluation. Adults may experience neck pain, which might be related to poor posture, excessive screen time, long duration of desk work, or sometimes without any predisposing cause. Older individuals may experience neck pain because of spinal degeneration. Symptoms Patients complain of pain in the neck. Sometimes this pain may radiate to the shoulders or arms. Some patients may experience tingling and numbness in the upper limb or weakness of muscles. Some patients may complain of severe nagging pain, which may not be relieved even after rest and medications. Diagnosis A thorough clinical examination to rule out that the pain is not being referred from any adjacent joint. A comprehensive clinical neurological examination to rule out any pinch on the nerve tissue.X-ray of the neck to look for degenerative changes and rule out any fractures, malalignment, or abnormal soft tissue shadows. Treatment A short course of anti-inflammatories, analgesics, and muscle relaxants.Local cold fomentation may help in relieving pain and improve rehabilitation.Once the pain reduces, advanced physiotherapy should improve the range of motion, and the strengthening of muscles may be started.Correction of posture and lifestyle modifications are an integral part of treatment.Severe cases may require cervical discectomy.