Persistent neck pain

Neck pain can be experienced in the locally in the neck, but can cause pain across the top of the shoulders and in some people pain in the head/headaches. It is normal for these episodes to last for a few weeks and in some cases a few months. A small proportion of these people will develop ongoing symptoms. This is termed persistent neck pain. There is often no clear anatomical cause for persistent neck pain.   Studies have shown that the many people will suffer with at least one significant episode of neck pain at some point in their adult life.  

Some risk factors for developing neck pain surprise people, as they include more general influences such as stress and lower activity levels. This is thought to be due to sensitisation of the nervous system, muscular tension and general deconditioning/lack of muscular fitness..

Pain and stiffness can be experienced across the neck and shoulders. Sometimes there may be some sharper pains or more specific pains on one side of the neck.

Commonly, symptoms tend to be aggravated with static sitting postures and prolonged work at a computer. Symptoms are often relieved with simple exercises and raising general levels of activity.

Persistent neck pain can be reliably diagnosed by your clinician by taking a history of your condition. In some circumstances it may be necessary to conduct a physical examination but this is usually not necessary in uncomplicated persistent neck pain.

X-rays and scans are not routinely required and are generally unhelpful as it will not change the appropriate management plan. Most of us are likely to have changes in our discs and joints, which cannot be identified as a cause for your symptoms, as these changes are present in people without neck pain too.