September is Pain Awareness Month, a good time to take a closer look at a symptom many people live with but rarely understand: neck pain. It can come from something as simple as a tight muscle or something more involved, like a compressed nerve. The right next step depends on the cause of the pain. This guide walks through common causes of neck pain, symptoms that call for prompt attention, and the range of conservative and interventional options that may be considered.

Neck Pain Is More Common Than You Might Think

If your neck has been bothering you, you’re not alone. A 2022 global review published in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders found that neck pain had an age-standardized prevalence of about 27 cases per 1,000 people in 2019, making it one of the more common musculoskeletal complaints clinicians see. Rates tend to run higher in women and in people in midlife, and the reason behind any individual case can vary widely.

Common Causes of Neck Pain

Neck pain generally falls into a few broad categories.

Muscle strain

Poor posture, sleep position, or overuse are the most frequent causes of everyday neck stiffness and soreness.

Cervical facet joint pain

The small joints connecting each vertebra can become a source of chronic pain, often after a whiplash-type injury. A multispecialty consensus guideline published in Pain Medicine explains that a history of whiplash and tenderness along the spine can raise suspicion for facet-related pain, though no single symptom or exam finding confirms it on its own.

Cervical radiculopathy

This happens when a nerve root in the neck is compressed or irritated, often from a disc problem or bone spur, causing sharp or electric pain that travels into the shoulder, arm, or hand. A clinical review on the National Institutes of Health’s StatPearls platform notes that symptoms often follow a predictable pattern depending on which nerve root is involved, and that the condition is diagnosed mainly through history and physical exam rather than a single test.

Degenerative changes

Age-related wear on the discs and joints of the neck, sometimes called cervical spondylosis, can contribute to both localized pain and nerve-related symptoms over time.

When Neck Pain May Signal Something More Serious

Most neck pain improves with time and conservative care. Certain symptoms, though, call for prompt medical attention.

A clinical resource on NIH’s StatPearls platform describes degenerative cervical myelopathy, a condition in which the spinal cord itself becomes compressed, as a cause of neck-related symptoms that can also affect hand coordination, balance, and, in more advanced cases, bladder or bowel function.

Contact a physician promptly, or seek emergency care, if neck pain occurs along with:

• New weakness, numbness, or clumsiness in the hands or legs
• Changes in balance or walking
• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• Neck pain following a fall, motor vehicle collision, or other trauma
• Fever combined with severe neck stiffness

How Neck Pain Is Evaluated

A thorough evaluation typically starts with a detailed history and physical exam. Your clinician may ask when the pain started, what makes it better or worse, and whether it radiates into your arms or hands. Imaging such as X-ray or MRI isn’t always necessary for routine neck pain, but it may be recommended when red flag symptoms are present or when symptoms persist despite conservative care.

Conservative Options Come First

For most neck pain, conservative care remains the reasonable starting point. This can include:

• Physical therapy and targeted exercise
• Activity modification and posture adjustments
• Heat, ice, or over-the-counter anti-inflammatory options
• Short-term use of a soft collar in select cases

These approaches help many people improve without further intervention. When pain persists, significantly limits daily activities, or comes with nerve-related symptoms, further evaluation may be appropriate.

When Interventional Options May Be Considered

For neck pain that hasn’t responded to conservative measures, particularly when a specific source such as a facet joint or nerve root has been identified, interventional options may be discussed as part of an individualized plan.

Cervical epidural steroid injections deliver medication near a compressed nerve root to help calm inflammation. A 2025 systematic review from the American Academy of Neurology found that epidural steroid injections probably reduce short-term pain in people with cervical or lumbar radiculopathy, with roughly one additional patient improving for every four treated compared with a control treatment, though evidence for longer-term relief is more limited.

A related clinical resource on NIH’s StatPearls platform similarly notes that cervical epidural injections have shown short-term benefit for radicular pain, while long-term outcomes haven’t been as well studied.

Cervical medial branch blocks target the small nerves that carry pain signals from the facet joints. The same Pain Medicine consensus guideline describes medial branch blocks as a tool used both to help identify whether the facet joints are contributing to a person’s neck pain and, in some cases, to provide relief. These blocks can also help determine whether someone may be a candidate for a longer-acting procedure.

As with any procedure, these options carry potential risks and aren’t appropriate for everyone. Whether a treatment is worth considering depends on your specific diagnosis, prior treatment history, and overall health, which is why individualized evaluation matters.

A Note for Referring Clinicians

For referring physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants, NWA Interventional Pain accepts referrals for patients with persistent axial or radicular neck pain, including those who may benefit from cervical radiofrequency ablation or epidural steroid injections. We aim to keep referring clinicians informed throughout a patient’s course of care.

How NWA Interventional Pain Can Help

NWA Interventional Pain is a family-owned, independent practice serving Rogers and the surrounding Northwest Arkansas community. We take the time to review your history, prior treatments, and goals before discussing next steps. Because we’re not part of a larger corporate system, our patients see Dr. Irwin at every office visit.

This Pain Awareness Month, if ongoing pain is limiting your daily activities, contact NWA Interventional Pain in Rogers to request an evaluation. A consultation can help determine which options, if any, may be appropriate for your individual needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does an interventional procedure permanently fix neck pain?

No procedure can promise a permanent result. Outcomes vary from person to person, and a consultation is the best way to understand what may be reasonable for your specific situation.

Can neck pain go away without treatment? 

Many cases improve over time with rest, activity modification, and conservative care persistent or worsening symptoms are worth discussing with a clinician.

How do I know if my neck pain is muscle strain or a pinched nerve? 

Muscle strain typically stays localized to the neck and shoulders and improves with rest. Pain that radiates into the arm or hand, or that comes with numbness, tingling, or weakness, may point to a pinched nerve and is worth discussing with a clinician.

This blog post is intended for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. It is not a substitute for a professional diagnosis or treatment plan. Please consult Dr. Irwin or another qualified physician regarding your specific symptoms or condition before making any medical decisions. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.