Neck pain can make it difficult to concentrate or perform daily tasks like dressing or bathing. It can result in headaches, numbness, tingling, or spasms, and it may even travel down your arms and back. To help you determine how to address this pain, here’s a closer look at what common neck discomfort symptoms often signify.

What Do Your Neck Pain Symptoms Mean?

1. Stiffness

A stiff neck manifests as soreness or stiffness when you try to move your head from side to side. It often occurs from sleeping in an awkward position. A heat compress and neck rub can provide some relief, but generally, a stiff neck should lessen in severity after a day or two and vanish within a week. If it persists, consult a professional to determine why.

2. Aching

An ache in the neck is common after spending a long time hunched over a computer or in another position that puts undue pressure on one or more nerves. This type of pain should pass in an hour or two after you straighten up. Light exercise often helps, as does remembering to sit with your back straight. Adjust your chair and/or computer to a more ergonomic position. 

3. Tingling

Tingling or numbness in your neck is usually a sign of a pinched nerve or another problem with the spine. However, this type of symptom is serious enough that you should have it examined by a medical professional—particularly if it persists for more than a day or two. Neck numbness can also accompany migraines or multiple sclerosis. 

4. Radiating Pain

Sometimes, pain radiates from the neck into a shoulder or down the arm. It can cause arm weakness, numbness, or shooting pains in the arm or back. If this occurs, seek medical advice at your earliest convenience. It could be a sign of a serious issue, such as a brachial plexus injury or a pinched nerve.

If you’re experiencing neck pain, contact O'Fallon Pain Relief Associates in St. Charles County, MO, for help. This interdisciplinary clinic helps local patients manage neck, joint, and back pain through chiropractic sessions, personalized physical therapy, and a carefully tailored pain medication regimen. Learn more about the team on their website or call (636) 978-3000 to make an appointment today.