The neck stiffness makes it hard or impossible to touch the chin to the chest. Symptoms come on quickly and include severe headache, stiff neck, fever, and sometimes vomiting.

Meningitis is a serious viral or bacterial illness that causes inflammation around the tissues of the brain and spinal cord.

Other symptoms may develop, such as numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arm or hand. Neck pain caused by a pinched nerve generally affects one side of the neck and the arm on that side.

Arthritis or damage to the discs of the neck can cause a pinched nerve.

Neck problems may not be related to an injury. Symptoms of a spinal cord injury include loss of movement or feeling, numbness, tingling, difficulty controlling the muscles of the arms or legs, and loss of bowel or bladder control. You may have a headache, feel dizzy or sick to your stomach, or have pain in your shoulder or down your arm.Д®mergency care is required for a neck injury that causes damage to the spinal cord. If the tear is large enough, the jellylike material inside the disc may leak out ( herniate) and press against a nerve or the spinal cord (central disc herniation). It is important to use correct first aid to immobilize and transport the injured person correctly to reduce the risk of permanent paralysis. This can cause a spinal cord injury that may lead to permanent paralysis.

A fracture or dislocation of the spine.

Shooting pain is more serious if it occurs in both arms or both hands rather than just one arm or one hand. Shooting pain that spreads down the arm into the hand and fingers can be a symptom of a pinched nerve (nerve root compression). When neck pain is caused by muscle strain, you may have aches and stiffness that spread to your upper arm, shoulder, or upper back.

An injury to the ligaments or muscles in the neck, such as a sprain or strain.

Bruising and swelling may develop soon after the injury. Pain from an injury may be sudden and severe. Severe neck injuries may result from whiplash in a car accident, falls from significant heights, direct blows to the back or the top of the head, sports-related injuries, a penetrating injury such as a stab wound, or external pressure applied to the neck, such as strangulation. Minor neck injuries may result from tripping, falling a short distance, or excessive twisting of the spine.

Work or exercise that uses your upper body and arms.

Tension may make the muscles that run from the back of the head across the back of the shoulder (trapezius muscle) feel tight and painful.

Spending long periods of time resting your forehead on your upright fist or arm ('thinker's pose').

Sleeping on a pillow that is too high or too flat or that doesn't support your head, or sleeping on your stomach with your neck twisted or bent.

Holding your head in a forward posture or odd position while working, watching TV, or reading.

Examples of common activities that may cause this type of minor injury include: Neck pain is often caused by a strain or spasm of the neck muscles or inflammation of the neck joints. Home treatment will often help relieve neck pain caused by minor injuries. Neck pain may be caused by an injury to one or more of these areas, or it may have another cause. The muscles and ligaments in the neck that hold the cervical spine together.The discs that separate the cervical vertebrae and absorb shock as you move.The bones and joints of the cervical spine ( vertebrae of the neck).Neck pain refers to pain anywhere from the area at the base of the skull into the shoulders. Neck movement may be limited, usually more to one side than the other. Pain may spread to the shoulders, upper back, or arms, or it may cause a headache. Neck pain may feel like a 'kink,' stiffness, or severe pain. Neck problems and injuries most commonly occur during sports or recreational activities, work-related tasks, or projects around the home. Our body movements usually do not cause problems, but it's not surprising that symptoms develop from everyday wear and tear, overuse, or injury.

Most people will have a minor neck problem at one time or another.

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