Most neck pain only lasts a few weeks. There are things you can do yourself to ease it, but contact your GP if it does not go away.
How you can ease neck pain
Do
-
take paracetamol or ibuprofen - or use ibuprofen gel on your neck
-
use a low, firm pillow
-
put heat or cold packs on your neck
Don't
-
do not wear a neck collar unless your GP tells you to - it's better to keep your neck moving
-
do not do anything that could be dangerous if you cannot move your neck - for example, driving or cycling
Putting heat or cold packs on your neck
Try either of these:
- a pack of frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel for 5 minutes, 3 times a day
- a hot water bottle wrapped in a tea towel for 20 minutes, 2 to 3 times a day
You can also buy heat or cold packs from a pharmacy.
Non-urgent advice: Contact your GP if:
- pain or stiffness does not go away after a few weeks
- painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen have not worked
- you're worried about the pain
- you have other symptoms, like a cold arm or pins and needles - this could be something more serious
- you have weakness in your arm or severe pain from your neck to your arm
Causes of neck pain
The most common causes of neck pain are:
- the neck becoming locked in an awkward position while sleeping
- bad posture - for example, when sitting at a desk for a long time
- a pinched nerve
- an injury - for example, whiplash from a traffic incident or fall
Preventing neck pain
Do
-
keep your neck in a neutral position so it’s aligned with your spine when sleeping
-
sleep on a firm mattress
-
sit upright - roll your shoulders back gently and bring your neck back into alignment
Don't
-
do not keep your neck in the same position for a long time - for example, when you are sitting at a desk
-
do not sleep on your front
-
do not twist your neck when you're in bed
Content supplied by the NHS and adapted for Ireland by the HSE
