Fast track your treatment
To book an appointment or speak with one of our friendly team, please get in touch using the options below
Welcome to the Circle Health Group website. We've changed our name from BMI Healthcare. Just as before, we have thousands of specialists offering expert healthcare. Click here to find a specialist or a hospital near you.
Acute neck pain is used to describe intense neck pain. We look at how acute neck pain is diagnosed and available treatments.
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.
There can be many causes for acute neck pain. However, the intense pain, stiffness and locked feeling that individuals may experience is often the result of muscle spasm rather than being directly related to the extent of injury to a disc or surrounding tissues.
The onset of pain is sometimes felt suddenly with neck movements such as looking up or rotating to look behind, or in the morning when getting out of bed. Initially, there may be a significant loss of movement when moving your neck to look behind or upwards.
Returning to normal activities and gentle exercises has been shown to improve these symptoms at a faster rate than keeping your neck still and resting.
X-rays and scans are not routinely required and are generally unhelpful as it will not change the appropriate management plan.
Acute phase management is aimed at alleviating pain to allow rehabilitation to commence as early as possible following injury.
The following self-help videos explain some measures which should reduce pain and increase the movement you have in your neck and upper spine:
Seated cervical AROM flex ext
Seated cervical AROM rotation
Exercises
Specific exercises to relieve any stiffness in the neck & upper spine and maintain flexibility at the shoulders:
Supine Y thorax rotation stretch knees together
10 second holds to each side, 2x per day
Pec stretch in doorway supported elbow
3×10 repetitions 3-4x per week
Cat camel stretch
20 slow movements up & down, 2x per day
Using painkillers when needed
Over-the-counter analgesia is available through pharmacies when needed. Paracetamol is most prescribed. Anti-inflammatories, such as Ibuprofen, are also used, but as there is little or no inflammation involved in osteoarthritis these are best avoided without discussing with your GP. Side effects are even more common than with paracetamol so please ensure to take appropriate medical advice.
Modifying ergonomics
Modifications include raising your seat height, changing the backrest angle, lumbar wedges as well as ensuring there is an appropriate overall set up if working with display screen equipment. Everyone is different so try out slightly different combinations which may work best for you.
Consultant Spinal Surgeon
MBChB with Hons, MRCS(Eng), FRCS(Tr&Orth)
The Alexandra Hospital
Consultant Spinal Orthopaedic
MA CANTAB, MBCHB, MSC, FRCS (T&O)
The London Independent Hospital
Consultant in Pain Medicine and Anaesthesia
MD PhD FRCA FFPMRCA
The Clementine Churchill Hospital
Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
MB ChB
Albyn Hospital
Consultant Rheumatologist
MD, FRCP, D.Med Rehab
The Alexandra Hospital
Consultant Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgeon
MD, BSc Hons, FA f. Orth (D)
Shirley Oaks Hospital