Sudden Neck Pain

Question:

My neck began hurting after a sudden movement when I got out of bed yesterday morning. The pain has persisted. Do you have a suggestion for resolving this issue? Should I go see someone or will it go away on its own?

Answer: By John Childs, PT, PhD, MBA

First of all, you’re not alone! Many people get neck pain. However, the good news is that if you treat it quickly, it usually only lasts for a few days or weeks. Every now and then, it lasts a bit longer (like 4 or 6 weeks), but that’s less common.

Most of the time neck pain is not serious. That’s right; even if you’ve had neck pain before, most likely, you did not injure your neck. And very serious neck problems are rare. Your neck is also very strong, so it’s difficult to injure it seriously.

Now let’s talk about what you can do if you get neck pain. If you treat it early, it usually gets better quickly. During the acute phase of neck pain, moving your neck is a good thing, so gently rotating your neck from side to side several times every hour throughout the day will help reduce your pain and keep your neck from getting too stiff. One of the worst things you can do is stay in bed and stay immobile. It might hurt initially to get up and get moving, but you won’t injure your neck. Lying in bed can make your neck stiff, which is why your neck pain may be at its worst when you first wake up. Give yourself a little extra time to get up in the morning, but get up and get moving. This will actually help get rid of the pain.

If you are still in pain after about 3 days, let your physical therapist or doctor know. Even though it’s probably not anything serious, they may want to do a simple physical exam to make sure. It’s also important to start physical therapy right away because the longer you have pain, the more likely it is to stick around. Most people work with a physical therapist for a few days or a couple of weeks, sometimes longer. Interventions by a physical therapist may include manual therapy, such as manipulation and mobilization, and/or certain exercises to improve your neck motion and strength. Physical therapists can help you learn how to deal with any chores that irritate your neck. They can also talk to you about what you can do so things like picking up your kids or driving are less likely to cause neck pain.

Most importantly, getting neck pain treated keeps it from becoming “chronic,” which is pain that doesn’t go away or keeps coming back. After all, your neck was made for movement. And you need to move so it doesn’t become weak or stiff. Activities such as walking, swimming, using an exercise bike, or most daily activities can help.

Biographical Information

Physical therapist and American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) member John D. Childs, PT, PhD, MBA, is an associate professor and director of research in the US Army-Baylor University Doctoral Program in Physical Therapy. He is a board certified orthopedic clinical specialist and a fellow in the American Academy of Orthopaedic and Manual Physical Therapists. Dr Childs completed his PhD in Rehabilitation Science from the University of Pittsburgh. Dr Childs has made numerous scientific presentations at national and international meetings, and his research agenda is focused on injury prevention, the identification of subgroups of patients with musculoskeletal disorders, and the development of clinical prediction rules to better inform diagnostic and treatment decision-making. He has received numerous research grants from federal and professional funding agencies and has published more than 60 peer-reviewed manuscripts in leading scientific journals. Dr Childs currently serves as an associate editor for Physical Therapy, APTA’s monthly scientific journal, and the Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy. He has received numerous awards including APTA’s Eugene Michels New Investigator Award, Jack Walker Research Award, Rose Excellence in Research Award, and the Air Force’s Outstanding Achievement in Clinical Research Award.