What if the pain won't go away?

If pain lasts for more than a few days, or if pain spreads into the arm, then you should see your doctor (GP). S/he will examine your neck and may arrange physical treatments.

Most cases of neck pain can be confidently diagnosed and treated without any special tests. Very occasionally your GP may ask for an x-ray to rule out other important causes of neck pain, such as ankylosing spondylitis or an infection.

If your pain is very bad, or if it spreads into your arm or you have dizzy spells, your GP may send you to see a specialist. The specialist may be a rheumatologist, orthopaedic surgeon or neurosurgeon, depending on the problem. Further tests may be needed, such as x-rays, blood tests, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans (see Figure 6). An MRI scan will only be done if there is a suggestion that there is a nerve (or nerves) being pinched in the neck, and if further treatment is being considered. A specialist may recommend injections into certain parts of the neck , but only once it is clear exactly where the pain is coming from. Surgery is very rarely needed – only in severe cases of nerve or spinal cord involvement.