Make sure you talk to your doctor as they may be able to refer you for a pain management programme if they think you would benefit from it. Try to keep active and gradually increase the amount of exercise you do. You can also take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, and painkillers, such as paracetamol. NSAIDs aren’t suitable for everyone, so speak to a pharmacist if you’re unsure (NHS, 2018b). A fierce headache, and/or an inability to bend the head forward (nuchal rigidity), and/or fever, and/or altered mental state are all symptoms of meningitis (inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, caused by infection or drug side effects).

Conservative treatments may last for about 6–8 weeks. A person should seek medical attention immediately if they experience any numbness or weakness in their legs or arms during this time. Stress and tension are common with persistent pain. For some it may be part of the underlying cause for many it’s a consequence as pain itself causes more stress and anxiety. What we know is that if we can use tools to help reduce our muscle tension and stress this can help with pain, sleep and function. Below are links you may find useful And of course something can go wrong on one side and not the other even when you are perfectly symmetrical. Khwaja SM, Minnerop M, Singer AJ (January 2010). "Comparison of ibuprofen, cyclobenzaprine or both in patients with acute cervical strain: a randomized controlled trial". Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine. 12 (1): 39–44. doi: 10.1017/S1481803500012008. PMID 20078917. This paper reports on fourteen people with facial numbness who sought care at an opthamology clinic (eye doctor). In all fourteen cases, facial numbness proved to be a symptom of serious illness, mostly skin cancers spreading along nerves, and some infections. Nine of these patients eventually died, and the remainder all had a rough ride: “significant morbidity.”AKA epidemic pleurodynia or epidemic myalgia or any of several other interesting and colorful names such as Bamble disease, the Devil’s Grip, and The Grasp of the Phantom! I swear I’m not making these up! If your radicular arm pain is associated with weakness and loss of muscle bulk in the arm then make your GP aware. Eight updates have been logged for this article since publication (2016). All PainScience.com updates are logged to show a long term commitment to quality, accuracy, and currency. more

If any problems develop with walking or with passing urine. This may indicate problems with pressure on the spinal cord. Adjust your desk, chair and computer so that the monitor is at eye level. Knees should be slightly lower than hips. Use your chair's armrests. Kerry R, Taylor AJ. Cervical arterial dysfunction: knowledge and reasoning for manual physical therapists. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2009 May;39(5):378–87. PubMed19411768❐Cervical stenosis: This often occurs due to degeneration that causes the spinal canal to narrow and compress the spinal cord. Nonsurgical treatment options can often help alleviate a person’s pain and swelling. Some common examples include: Khare S, Seth D. Lhermitte's sign: The current status. Ann Indian Acad Neurol. 2015;18(2):154-6. doi:10.4103/0972-2327.150622