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Neck pain: common causes, home care and when to see a doctor

Neck pain affects more than 200 million people worldwide. We explain its most common causes, what you can do at home, and which signs mean you should get checked.

PainManagement ER Published 2 min read

Waking up with a “locked” neck, or ending the workday at the computer with tense shoulders… Neck pain is so common that MedlinePlus simply calls it “very common.”[3] And the global numbers back that up.

The numbers

According to the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 study, published in The Lancet Rheumatology in 2024:[1]

  • In 2020, neck pain affected 203 million people worldwide.
  • By 2050, 269 million cases are projected — a 32.5% increase, driven mainly by population growth and aging.
  • It is more common in women (2,890 per 100,000) than in men (2,000 per 100,000).
  • It peaks between ages 45 and 74.

People with neck pain worldwide (millions)

2020 (estimate)
203 million
2050 (projection)
269 million
Source: GBD 2021 Neck Pain Collaborators, The Lancet Rheumatology (2024).[1]

Neck pain prevalence by sex worldwide, 2020 (per 100,000, age-standardized)

Women
2,890
Men
2,000
Source: GBD 2021 Neck Pain Collaborators, The Lancet Rheumatology (2024).[1]

Most common causes

According to the NHS, the most common causes are:[2]

  • Sleeping with the neck in an awkward position.
  • Poor posture, for example sitting at a desk for a long time.
  • A pinched nerve.
  • Injuries such as whiplash from a traffic accident or fall.

MedlinePlus adds that the pain can also come from the shoulder, jaw, head or upper arms.[3]

How long it lasts

The good news: most neck pain only lasts a few weeks.[2]

What you can do at home

The NHS recommends:[2]

  • Using a low, firm pillow.
  • Applying heat or cold to the neck.
  • Doing gentle neck flexibility exercises.
  • Avoiding a neck collar: it is better to keep the neck moving unless a doctor advises otherwise.
  • Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen (including ibuprofen gel), following the label or pharmacist’s directions.

MedlinePlus notes that treatment depends on the cause, and that surgery is rarely needed.[3]

When to see a doctor

The NHS advises seeing a doctor if:[2]

  • The pain or stiffness doesn’t go away after a few weeks.
  • Painkillers haven’t worked.
  • You are worried about the pain.
  • You have other symptoms, such as pins and needles or a cold arm, which could point to something more serious.

If neck pain keeps coming back or limits your work and rest, an assessment can identify the cause and give you a plan to keep it from returning.

Sources

  1. Global, regional, and national burden of neck pain, 1990–2020, and projections to 2050: a systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 . GBD 2021 Neck Pain Collaborators. The Lancet Rheumatology 2024;6:e142–e155 , 2024.
  2. Neck pain . NHS (UK National Health Service) , reviewed April 27, 2023.
  3. Neck Injuries and Disorders . MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine (NIH) , updated August 4, 2026.

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