Neck pain

Neck pain is discomfort in the cervical spine region, including the vertebrae, discs, muscles and ligaments that support the head.

Most episodes are mechanical, stemming from muscle strain, poor posture, prolonged screen use or sleeping in an awkward position, and they resolve within days to weeks. Other causes include cervical disc degeneration, arthritis of the small facet joints, whiplash injury and, less commonly, nerve root compression that sends pain, tingling or weakness down an arm. Neck pain is common in working-age adults and becomes more frequent with age.

Assessment involves a history of onset and aggravating factors and an examination of range of motion, tenderness and nerve function in the arms. Imaging is reserved for trauma, neurological signs or pain that fails to improve. Cannabinoids have been studied for chronic musculoskeletal pain generally, and the evidence is limited and inconsistent.