Neck Pain: Causes, Wry Neck and When to Worry
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera, MD
Licensed Physician No. 484814280 · Official Medical College of Bizkaia (Spain)Last reviewed: 5 November 2026
Neck pain is usually muscle strain that settles in weeks.
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Neck pain is usually a muscle strain from posture, stress or sleeping awkwardly, and most of it goes away within a few weeks. See a doctor if the pain spreads down your arm with tingling or weakness. Call 112 if it comes with a fever, a stiff neck and a bad headache. This guide is by Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera, a GP licensed in Spain (Colegiado No. 484814280).
- Neck pain is nearly always muscle pain and gets better on its own in days or weeks.
- A wry neck (torticollis) is a stiff, twisted neck that starts suddenly, often when you wake up.
- Pain down the arm with tingling can mean a trapped nerve in the neck.
- Keeping active, heat and painkillers from the leaflet are usually enough.
- Call 112 for a fever with a stiff neck, a sudden severe headache, or weakness.
What causes neck pain?
The most common cause is strain on the neck muscles and ligaments. Things that add to it:
- Hours spent looking down at a phone or laptop.
- Sleeping in an odd position or on the wrong pillow.
- Stress and tension, which tighten the shoulder muscles.
- A sudden movement or lifting something heavy.
- Wear in the neck bones with age (cervical spondylosis).
The NHS says most neck pain lasts only a few weeks. Whiplash after a car crash can take longer. In Spain people often say dolor de cervicales, and doctors write cervicalgia.
What is a wry neck and how long does it last?
A wry neck (torticollis, tortícolis in Spanish) is neck pain that starts suddenly, often when you wake up. The neck is stiff and the head is turned or tilted to one side. It is hard to move your head. It is caused by a muscle spasm and usually gets better in a few days, sometimes in one or two weeks.
Heat, gentle movement within the pain, and painkillers from the leaflet help. Do not wear a neck collar for days. In babies, a twisted neck can have other causes and needs a check by a children's doctor.
Why does my neck pain go down my arm?
When pain spreads from the neck down the arm, with tingling, numbness or a weak hand, a nerve root may be irritated. This is called cervical radiculopathy. It is usually caused by a slipped disc in the neck, or by wear that narrows the space for the nerve.
Most cases get better with time and pain relief. An MRI scan is done if weakness gets worse, if pain does not settle after some weeks, or if there are signs that the spinal cord is affected.
Can neck pain cause headaches or dizziness?
Tight neck muscles can cause a headache at the back of the head or the forehead, called a tension headache. Dizziness can come with a stiff neck too, but it has many other causes. Do not blame the neck without a check. Read more about headaches.
What can I do at home for neck pain?
- Keep moving your neck gently. Total rest slows recovery.
- Put heat on it for a few minutes several times a day.
- For pain you can take paracetamol or ibuprofen, as the leaflet says.
- Raise your screen to eye level and take breaks.
- Use a low, firm pillow that keeps your neck straight.
- Do gentle turning and tilting exercises when the pain allows.
The dose is set by the leaflet or your doctor. Ask your pharmacist if you take other medicines.
When to see a doctor
The NHS advises seeing a GP if:
- The pain or stiffness is not better after a few weeks.
- Painkillers do not help.
- You have pins and needles, numbness or a cold feeling in your arm or hand.
- Your hand feels weak, or buttons become hard to do up.
- The pain wakes you at night, or you lose weight for no reason.
- You are worried about the pain.
When to call 112
Call 112 or go to A&E (urgencias) if neck pain comes with:
- A fever, a neck so stiff you cannot touch your chin to your chest, a bad headache, dislike of light, or a rash that does not fade when pressed. This can be meningitis.
- A sudden, very severe headache, the worst of your life.
- Weakness or numbness in your arms or legs, or trouble walking.
- Pain after a crash, a fall or a hard blow to the head.
- Pain that spreads from the chest to the neck or jaw, with sweating or breathlessness.
Frequently asked questions about neck pain
How long does a wry neck take to heal?
It usually gets better in a few days, sometimes in one or two weeks. If it does not improve or gets worse, see a doctor.
Is heat or ice better for neck pain?
For a muscle strain, heat often helps more. Use what feels best and protect your skin.
Should I wear a neck collar?
Not for simple neck pain. Wearing one for days weakens the muscles and slows recovery. After an accident, a doctor decides.
What is neck pain in Spanish?
Dolor de cuello or dolor de cervicales. A wry neck is tortícolis, and a trapped nerve in the neck is a radiculopatía cervical.
Can a doctor assess neck pain by video?
Yes. A doctor checks for warning signs, suggests treatment and decides if you need tests or an exam in person.
Getting a medical assessment
If you are in Spain and have neck pain, you can book a video consultation with Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera, a physician registered in Spain. You can also read about back and neck pain treatment and naproxen. A prescription is never guaranteed: it is issued only where clinically appropriate after a genuine evaluation, as a private electronic prescription under Spanish law. This service is for urgent, non-emergency care. In an emergency, call 112.
This guide is general information. It does not replace the package leaflet or the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.
Sources
This content is written and reviewed by a licensed physician with reference to the following sources.
