There are numerous causes of excruciating neck pain. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, or NIH, neck pain can originate from neck structures, including the nerves, muscles and spinal discs, or it can be caused by problems in nearby areas, such as the jaw, shoulders and upper arms. The NIH states that neck pain can be caused by overuse injuries, trauma or certain medical conditions.
Whiplash
Whiplash can cause excruciating neck pain. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, or NINDS, which is a division of the National Institutes of Health, whiplash is a soft tissue injury of the neck that's characterized by a group of symptoms arising immediately, or shortly thereafter, sudden neck flexion and extension. The most common cause of whiplash is motor vehicle accidents, which can damage the cervical spine's intervertebral discs, joints, ligaments, muscles and nerve roots. The NINDS states that, along with excruciating neck pain, other whiplash-related signs and symptoms include neck stiffness and reduced neck range of motion, headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, paresthesias, which is unusual burning or prickling sensations in the skin, and back and shoulder pain or discomfort. According to the NINDS, the prognosis for a person with whiplash is usually good, although some people may experience residual neck pain and headaches that last for many weeks after an accident.
Wry Neck
Wry neck, also known as torticollis, can cause excruciating neck pain. The National Center for Emergency Medicine Informatics, or NCEMI, states that a person with wry neck will have significant neck pain and will be unable to turn her head. In fact, the head will usually be twisted to one side, with the chin pointing in the opposite direction. The abnormal head position and neck pain is often accompanied by neck muscle spasm. According to the NCEMI, the symptoms of wry neck manifest gradually, and the condition may be caused by a simple turn of the head, vigorous head movement, traumatic neck injury or an awkward head position during sleep. The pain associated with wry neck may occur in the neck muscles or down the spine, anywhere between the skull and the shoulder blades. The following muscles will often experience spasm with wry neck: occipitalis, sternocleidomastoid, trapezius, splenius cervicis or levator scapula.
Meningitis
Meningitis can cause excruciating neck pain. According to the NINDS, meningitis is an inflammatory disease that targets the membranes surrounding a person's brain and spinal cord. Meningitis can be caused by bacterial or viral infections, and it can manifest suddenly. Common signs and symptoms associated with meningitis include the following: excruciating neck pain and stiffness, fever, intractable headaches, nausea and vomiting. In some cases, people with meningitis may experience confusion, sleepiness and trouble waking. The NINDS states that viral meningitis often resolves within 10 days, although other types of meningitis, especially bacterial meningitis, can be lethal if it's not treated immediately and appropriately. According to the Nemours Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving children's health, meningitis occurs when bacteria and viruses that infect the skin, along with the urinary, gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts, spread via the bloodstream to the meninges, a membrane system that surrounds the central nervous system.
References
- National Institutes of Health: Neck Pain
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: What is Whiplash?
- National Center for Emergency Medicine Informatics: Torticollis
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: What are Meningitis and Encephalitis?
- Nemours Foundation: What Is Meningitis?
