We are going to break this information down into two categories:

1. When should you schedule an office visit to see a doctor?

2. When should you see a doctor immediately?

Schedule an office visit:

Call your doctor if you have neck pain that:

• Worsens despite self-care

• Radiates down your arms or legs

• Is accompanied by headache, numbness, or tingling

• Is so bad that it interferes with normal activities or sleeping

• Gets worse or lasts for several weeks despite home treatment

• Comes with tingling in any part of your body

• Comes with urinary or bowel incontinence

• Coincides with the development of headaches

• Muscle weakness. Weakness in an arm or leg or trouble walking may be a sign of a more serious problem

Seek emergency medical care:

Call 911 or your local emergency number, or have someone drive you to the emergency room if you have severe neck pain that is associated with:

• Traumatic injury. Examples include car collisions, diving accidents, head injuries, or falls. You need to rule out a possible bone fracture.

• High fever. If you have severe neck pain with a high fever, you might have meningitis, an infection of the membrane covering your spinal cord and brain.

• Severe, persistent headache. Or a headache accompanied by nausea and weakness.

• Nausea or vomiting

• Rash

• Sensitivity to light

• Racing or irregular heartbeat

• Difficulty breathing

• Pain or numbness radiating down the arms

• Pain in the chest or jaw

Start the full Neck Pain Relief Program here. Includes all videos and printable guide sheets: https://www.bobandbrad.com/health-programs/neck-pain-relief-program

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