The pain often spreads from the neck towards the shoulders or upper back, and it often causes headaches.

Common causes of neck pain include:

• poor posture (the way your body is positioned when standing or sitting)
• sleeping in an awkward position
• tension
• injury such as a muscle strain
• prolonged use of a desktop or laptop computer
• arthritis
• wear and tear in the bones of the neck, which is a normal part of ageing.

Rare causes of neck pain include:

• damage to the vertebrae, spinal cord or nerves in the neck
• cancer
• meningitis

You should see a doctor if:

• the pain is getting worse
• the pain doesn’t ease up in a week or so
• you have numbness, tingling or pins and needles in your arms or legs
• you start having difficulties with your bladder or bowel
• you have a fever as well as neck pain.

Suspicion of deliberate harm

If there is any suspicion that these symptoms were caused deliberately and were not the result of an accident, you should seek help from a healthcare professional as soon as possible. This could be a nurse or doctor at an emergency department (ED) or doctor surgery, or a health visitor or school nurse. If you are unsure who to speak to, we would strongly urge you to call 1800 022 222 to discuss your concerns.