Mechanical neck pain

Mechanical neck pain is a common problem. Two out of three of us will have it at some point. It's not usually serious, and most often it eases on its own.

Doctors sometimes use other names for mechanical neck pain too:

• simple neck pain
• non-specific neck pain

Speak to your doctor urgently if you have noticed a new onset, or a significant worsening, of any of these symptoms:

• changes to bladder and bowel function, for example urgency, frequency, difficulty passing urine, leaking or incontinence
• changes to sensation around the bottom and/or genitals, or sexual dysfunction, for example a recent inability to achieve orgasm or erection
• reduced balance or difficulty walking
• pain, weakness, heaviness or changing sensation in the arms or legs
• clumsy hands, for example dropping things, or struggling with handwriting, buttons or zips
• neck pain that comes with a severe headache

If your doctor's chamber is closed, call a doctor or the 16263 health line.

• and you also feel generally unwell
• that starts when you are ill with other problems, such as rheumatoid arthritis or cancer

Mechanical neck pain mostly affects the neck itself, but the symptoms can spread into the arm, the shoulder blade or the head.

Symptoms include:

• pain and stiffness
• muscle tightness or spasms
• numbness and tingling
• clicking and grinding (this is quite common and can sound alarming, but it is not usually serious)

A doctor can diagnose mechanical neck pain after an assessment. They'll ask you about your symptoms and examine you physically.

You don't usually need scans or X-rays to diagnose it. In some cases, though, further tests may help rule out other serious health conditions.

Mechanical neck pain can come on after an injury, such as whiplash. But many people get it for no obvious reason at all.

It can be caused by a number of things, like:

• muscle strain or tension
• injuries from sport or work activities
• staying in one position for too long

Your neck is a strong and resilient structure. Most neck pain does not cause lasting damage, because your body is very good at healing itself. In most cases you shouldn't need to speak to a healthcare professional.

Pain can also be influenced by anything that affects your general health, like:

• poor sleep
• anxiety
• stress
• emotional wellbeing

As we get older, it's normal for the neck to show age-related changes. Often these cause no symptoms, but they may add to neck pain. The medical term for this ageing is cervical spondylosis. It's managed in the same way as mechanical neck pain.

There's quite a lot you can do yourself to ease mechanical neck pain.

Gentle exercises can help keep your neck moving with mechanical neck pain. They increase the blood flow to the tissues, and that helps with healing.

Exercises may feel uncomfortable at first, but they are safe to do. They'll get much easier as you get your movement back. Being afraid to move is known to make pain worse, so any movement can be helpful.

Pain medication can help you move more comfortably when you have mechanical neck pain, and that can help manage your symptoms.

More about taking painkillers

Heat or ice on your neck can help reduce symptoms. Use a barrier, like a towel, to protect your skin from a burn. Take care never to place heat or ice directly on your skin. Leave a few hours between treatments.

How to avoid hot water bottle burns and scalds

You should stop treating the area with heat or ice if you notice more redness, discolouration or blistering of the skin.

Read more about burns and scalds

If you have any issues with circulation or sensation, you shouldn't use heat or ice as a treatment for neck pain.

What you do from day to day can affect how much pain you have with mechanical neck pain. Some lifestyle advice that can help:

• staying active
• changing how you do certain activities, and pacing yourself
• keeping to a healthy weight
• stopping smoking
• managing stress and looking after your emotional wellbeing

Sometimes the problems that come with mechanical neck pain mean you need a little time off work. It depends on what your symptoms are like and what your job involves.

Talk to your employer about whether you need any changes at your workplace to make things easier.

Carrying on with work, or going back as soon as you feel able, will help your recovery. And if you ease back into your normal daily activities bit by bit, you can build up your strength and stamina.

If you follow this advice, you should see gradual improvement over time. If your symptoms haven't improved after 8 weeks, or if they get worse, talk to a doctor about them.

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