Stiff neck
Updated: 2023-07-21
A feeling of soreness or pain in the neck when moving it or turning the head from side to side.
Self-care
Gentle stretching, heat or ice, and massage might help. So might medicines available without a prescription, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) or acetaminophen (Tylenol).
When to seek immediate medical care
See a health care professional right away for:
- Traumatic injury, such as from car crashes, diving accidents or falls.
- Muscle weakness.
- Fever.
When to make a doctor's appointment
Make an appointment to see a health care professional if the stiffness:
- Gets worse even with self-care.
- Doesn't go away after several weeks of self-care.
- Causes pain that travels down the arms or legs.
- Comes with headache, weakness, numbness or tingling.