3 Everyday Causes of Neck Pain You Shouldnt Ignore

If your neck has been bothering you lately, you’re not alone. Neck pain is incredibly common, especially if you sit at a desk all day, spend hours on your phone, or sleep in weird positions. While some neck pain goes away on its own, other times it’s your body’s way of telling you something more serious might be going on.

Let’s break down three of the most common reasons people get neck pain — and what you should do if you’re dealing with it.

1. Muscle Strain

One of the most common reasons for neck pain is a simple strain. Maybe you slept funny. Maybe you were hunched over your laptop for too long. Or maybe you just moved your head a certain way, and now your neck feels sore or tight.

A neck strain happens when the muscles in your neck get overstretched or torn. It can be uncomfortable, but it’s usually not serious. The pain might show up right away or take a day or two to kick in.

Here are a few signs you might have a neck strain:

• Soreness or tightness in the neck
  

• Headaches
  

• Muscle spasms
  

• Some pain in the shoulders or upper back
  

• Trouble turning your head all the way
  

The good news is that most mild strains go away with rest, ice, and avoiding anything that makes the pain worse. But if the pain sticks around for more than a week, or you start feeling numbness or weakness in your arm, it’s smart to check in with a neck doctor. They might do an X-ray or MRI to rule out anything more serious.

2. Pinched Nerve

If your neck pain comes with tingling, numbness, or pain that shoots down into your shoulder, arm, or hand, you might be dealing with a pinched nerve. This happens when a nerve in your neck gets compressed, often from a herniated disc or arthritis in your spine.

Pinched nerves are more common as you get older, but they can happen at any age, especially if you sit or stand in one position for long periods. Even sleeping in an awkward position can sometimes do it.

Common symptoms of a pinched nerve include:

• Sharp or burning pain in the neck, shoulder, or arm
  

• Tingling or numbness in your fingers
  

• A “pins and needles” feeling
  

• Muscle weakness
  

• Trouble moving your neck
  

If you think you have a pinched nerve, don’t ignore it. Most people feel relief with physical therapy, rest, and anti-inflammatory meds. But in some cases, your doctor might recommend injections or even surgery if things don’t improve. To figure out what’s going on, they may run tests like an X-ray, MRI, or nerve studies.

3. Meningitis

This one isn’t as common, but it’s serious. Meningitis is an infection that causes swelling in the protective layers around your brain and spinal cord. One of the red flags for meningitis is a stiff, painful neck, especially if you also have flu-like symptoms.

Viral meningitis usually goes away on its own, but bacterial meningitis is an emergency. If you don’t get help quickly, it can lead to brain damage or even be life-threatening.

Watch for these symptoms:

• Sudden, severe neck pain or stiffness
  

• High fever
  

• Bad headache
  

• Nausea or vomiting
  

• Sensitivity to light
  

• Seizures
  

• Confusion or feeling out of it
  

If you have any of these symptoms, don’t wait — go to the ER or call your doctor right away. They’ll do tests like a spinal tap or blood work to figure out what’s going on and start treatment as soon as possible.