Who among us has not experienced neck pain in the back, whether after waking up or after spending time in front of a computer screen?

What are the causes of neck pain in the back?

Neck pain in the back is usually accompanied by pain in the upper back and shoulders. In most cases, the reason behind it is a problem in the muscles as a result of some wrong daily habits, or the pain may be an indication of a medical condition that requires treatment. In some cases, treatment may require resorting to Rehabilitation and physical therapy.

Non-pathological causes of back neck pain include one or more of the following: 

• Lifting heavy objects.
• Sitting in the wrong position for long periods.
• Excess weight

Especially in the upper body, which may cause the back and neck to bend, and cause additional pressure on the vertebrae of the spine.

• Bending over to pick something up the wrong way.
• Muscle fatigue

Which often happens to athletes as a result of intense use of the neck and shoulder muscles.

• Muscle tension

Stress or muscle tension occurs as a result of sitting for long periods, sleeping in an uncomfortable position, or using the phone with the head bent down, which causes the neck to remain in an uncomfortable position, causing muscle tension and stiffness in the back of the neck.

• Incorrect sitting position

Sitting in a bent or tilted position for a long time, such as using a laptop or phone for long periods in incorrect positions, especially while working or studying, puts great pressure on the neck vertebrae.

• Injuries

Injuries, such as a sprained neck resulting from a sudden movement or a traffic accident (rebound trauma), damage the muscles and cervical ligaments, causing severe pain and restricted movement.

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The presence of roughness in the cervical vertebrae or rheumatoid arthritis of the joints, leading to cartilage erosion, or inflammation of the tissues surrounding the vertebrae.

• Psychological stress

Emotional stress involuntarily causes the neck and shoulder muscles to contract, leading to stiffness and pain in the back of the neck.

• Cold

Exposure to direct air currents on the neck  causes the cervical muscles to contract and stiffen, causing pain in the back of the neck. Cold may also cause mild tissue inflammation, which increases the sensation of pain and spasm.

Medical conditions associated with back neck pain include:

• Osteoarthritis, which is common in older people, as cartilage wears down with frequent use of joints, causing the vertebrae to rub against each other.
• هشاشة العظام.
• Back or neck injury, such as: fall, collision, sports accident, etc.
• Neck sprain.
• Ligaments are torn.
• Muscle weakness or spasm.
• A herniated disc, which causes pressure on the nerves, leading to pain in the neck, upper back, or other areas depending on the affected part.
• Scoliosis (abnormal S- or C-shaped curvature of the spine).
• infection: In rare cases, an epidural abscess may be the cause of upper back and neck pain, and as it enlarges, the pain increases. 
• Heart attack: It may seem strange!
• Some types of cancer that affect the area surrounding the neck, such as: cancer of the thyroid gland, brain, or spinal cord.

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Diseases that can cause neck pain in the back

• Roughness of the cervical vertebrae

Erosion of the cartilage between the vertebrae with age or repeated stress causes friction and chronic pain in the back of the neck. This pain increases when moving the neck suddenly or when sitting for long periods.

• Cervical disc herniation

A herniated disc slipping out of its place in the neck creates pressure on the nerves, leading to severe pain that sometimes extends to the shoulder, which may be accompanied by numbness in the arm and hand.

• Rheumatoid arthritis

When the immune system attacks cartilage, it leads to inflammation of the small joints in the neck, causing stiffness and pain that increases in the morning, and the feeling of pain often decreases with light movement.

• Meningitis

Swelling of the meningeal membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord causes a severe headache, severe stiffness in the back of the neck, and fever. This is considered an emergency and requires immediate medical attention.

• Cervical headache

It is caused by problems in the vertebrae or neck muscles. Neck pain begins from the back to the back of the head, and the pain increases when moving or putting pressure on specific places in the neck.

• Neck muscle stiffness

Due to sleeping in the wrong position or a sudden movement, a spasm suddenly occurs in a group of neck muscles, pulling the head to one side with severe pain and restriction of movement.

• Osteoporosis in the cervical vertebrae

Weak bones lead to wear and tear on the vertebrae and hypermobility between them, causing constant dull pain that increases with activity, and may be accompanied by mild nerve compression accompanied by a feeling of numbness.

• Soft tissue or muscle infections

Minor injuries or overuse of the muscles cause local inflammation and pain in the back of the neck, which usually improves after resting and moving away from the cause.

• Upper respiratory infections

A cold or sore throat results in swollen lymph nodes in the neck, causing reflected pain in the back of the neck.

• Tumors or masses pressing on the vertebrae or nerves of the neck

Rarely, a compressed tumor or cyst can put pressure on a nerve, resulting in persistent pain and muscle spasms, accompanied by loss of strength or numbness if the tumor presses on a nerve.

• Autoimmune diseases (such as lupus)

Autoimmune diseases such as lupus erythematosus may cause inflammation of the connective tissues and joints in the neck, resulting in persistent pain and stiffness after periods of rest. The pain is often accompanied by other general symptoms such as fever or fatigue.

• Inflammation of surrounding nerves

Infections such as shingles, Lyme disease, diphtheria, or others inflame the nerves surrounding the neck, causing sharp pain or burning in the back area.

What are the symptoms of back neck pain?

Neck pain, its severity, and accompanying symptoms vary depending on its cause.

• Muscle pain.
• Muscle spasm.
• Pain like severe stabbing.
• Tingling in the neck.
• Soreness that gets worse with physical activity.
• Pain that improves with lying down.
• Pain spreading down the arms or shoulders.

Pain behind the neck may also be accompanied by the following symptoms:

• Inability to stand up straight.
• Inability to twist the neck.
• Stiffness (stiffness) of the neck that gets worse over time.
• Headache in the back of the head.

Less common symptoms associated with pain behind the neck include:

• Balance problem.
• Poor ability to control your bladder and/or bowels (urinary or fecal incontinence).

In general, the symptoms of pain in the back of the neck range from mild pain that ends after a few days to severe pain that may last a few weeks. The neck pain may be so severe that it hinders the person from daily activities.

How is back neck pain diagnosed?

The doctor begins by asking the patient about his symptoms and health history, then conducts a physical examination.

• X-ray imaging.
• Magnetic resonance imaging, which takes detailed pictures of soft tissues such as ligaments, tendons, and blood vessels, and helps detect the presence of an infection, tumor, or condition causing pressure on the nerves.
• Blood tests to diagnose infections and arthritis.

When should you consult a doctor?

Usually the pain goes away with massage and compresses, but if some symptoms appear, you should go to the doctor immediately: 

• The pain persists for a long time, longer than 10-14 days, so you should go to the doctor. 
• Neurological symptoms such as numbness or tingling in the arm or difficulty controlling the hand appeared.
• Feeling severe pain after an injury or accident.
• The pain is accompanied by severe headache or dizziness.
• Fever or symptoms of infection accompanying pain in the neck.
• Unexplained weight loss or a feeling of general weakness.
• Swelling or mass appears in the neck area.
• Rapid deterioration of symptoms, if the pain suddenly worsens and its attacks become frequent.

What are the ways to treat neck pain from the back?

Treatment for neck pain varies depending on the cause.

In general, the doctor will focus on treatments that help relieve symptoms, including:

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen.
• Muscle relaxants, if the pain is caused by a muscle spasm, such as when sitting or sleeping in the wrong position.
• spot paints;
• Local cortisone injections into the shoulder in severe and chronic cases.
• Opioid analgesics: In cases of severe acute pain, such as after surgery or accidents, it is important to adhere to the prescribed dose because they may have side effects and are potentially addictive.
• Wear a neck brace if necessary for a period of time.

In some cases, the doctor may recommend physical therapy sessions, especially after injuries and fractures.

Treating back neck pain at home

Some of these tips may help relieve pain in the back of the neck and prevent it from getting worse. If you are suffering from it, we advise you to try the following:

• Keep moving your neck as naturally as possible, up, down, and to each side without straining it;
• Use warm or cold water compresses on the painful area, but make sure they are not too hot and do not use ice directly on the skin.
• Ask someone around you to gently massage the neck. You can use warm olive oil to facilitate hand movement or a medical massage cream.
• Take a warm water bath, letting the water flow over the neck.

How can back neck pain be prevented?

Some habits increase the risk of developing pain in the back of the neck, and by avoiding these activities, the chances of developing it decrease.

Pain in the back of the neck can be prevented by doing the following:

• Do moderate exercise, especially Pilates, to improve overall body flexibility.
• Maintain a healthy weight and avoid excessive weight gain.
• Do not carry heavy objects.
• Avoid sitting or standing in the wrong position, and make sure to keep your head straight by placing the computer screen at eye level.
• Make sure to focus on the legs when bending to pick up something and not on the back.
• Use a special neck pillow when sitting for long periods.
• Sleep on a comfortable and supportive pillow, preferably on your back.
• Avoid placing the phone between your neck and shoulder, and use a headset instead.
• Do not stay in one position for a long time.

When is neck pain serious?

In most cases of back neck pain, the cause is simple and may disappear on its own with rest or self-care. However, if the pain is so severe that you cannot sit or go about your life normally, or if it is accompanied by any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor immediately:

• fever.
• صداع شديد.
• Neck stiffness.
• The pain moves to one of the arms or a feeling of tingling or numbness in them.

Frequently asked questions

What are the symptoms of neck neuritis?

The most prominent symptom of neck neuritis (known as cervical radiculitis) is neck pain. This pain is usually worse on one side of the neck, and usually spreads to one side of the body.

The cervical spine contains nerve roots that branch out to several different parts of the body, such as: –

• الكتفين.
• Arms: The nerves extending to the arms are the most affected.
• الصدر.
• Upper back.

Depending on the affected vertebra, the pain may extend to one or more of these areas.

Symptoms of neck neuritis include: –

1. الخدر.
2. Tingling in the fingers or hands.
3. Weakness in the shoulders or arms.
4. Loss of reflexes in your arms or legs.
5. Difficulty moving the neck, arms, or shoulders.
6. Muscle weakness.

The pain resulting from this condition can be mild, but in more serious cases it can lead to severe pain that does not go away for weeks.

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Neck pain can be caused by a variety of factors, such as stress.

Stress is one of the most common risks associated with neck pain, and other frequently observed risk factors include: –

• القلق.
• الاكتئاب.
• Weak social support.

The results of studies have shown that people with chronic neck pain have higher rates of anxiety and depression.

What are the symptoms of neck disc injury?

Neck disc (herniated cervical disc) is one of the most common causes of neck pain, and its symptoms vary greatly depending on the following: –

• Slip location.
• Your response to pain.

If a herniated cervical disc is pressing on a nerve root, you may experience the following symptoms: –

• الخدر.
• Tingling in the arm that can reach your fingers, and can also occur in the shoulder.
• Weakness in the hand or arm.

If it is pressing on the spinal cord, you may experience more serious symptoms, such as: –

• Stumbling or walking uncomfortably.
• Problems using your hands or arms for fine motor skills.
• Loss of balance and coordination.
• A tingling, or shock-like feeling that runs along your body to your legs.

What does neck pain in the back indicate?

Pain in the back of the neck often indicates muscle tension or poor sitting or sleeping posture, and may sometimes indicate deeper problems such as a herniated disc, eroded discs, or rarely meningitis, or nerve compression that requires seeing a doctor if it is accompanied by numbness, weakness, or fever.

 When does neck pain become serious?

Neck pain becomes dangerous when it lasts for more than two weeks, or is accompanied by numbness or weakness in the arms, or is accompanied by a severe headache or dizziness, or if it appears suddenly after an accident or temperature rises, or swelling or a mass appears in the neck area, or is accompanied by weight loss for no other apparent reason. 

In conclusion, although neck pain in the back is not generally worrisome, it should not be underestimated in any way, especially if it is accompanied by strange symptoms, as we previously mentioned in the article, or if the pain persists for long periods, and because early diagnosis may be a lifesaver and help speed up recovery without complications, do not hesitate to consult a doctor if you feel that your neck is not feeling well.

Sources and references

Neck Pain – clevelandclinic

Back and Neck Pain – hopkinsmedicine