You should consult your primary care physician for an evaluation if you have any of the following symptoms:

  1. Neck pain with high fever, chills, and weight loss
  2. Ongoing numbness, tingling, weakness in the arms or legs
  3. Loss of bowel or bladder control
  4. Loss of balance
  5. Severe headaches
  6. Dizziness
  7. Neck pain that persists despite conservative treatment
  8. No obvious cause for neck pain
  9. Neck pain that is progressively getting worse, and worsens at nighttime
  10. Neck pain that persists beyond three weeks

If you suffer from neck or arm pain, you may think you recognize a symptom or pattern of symptoms as you read about these diseases. If you do, see a doctor — either your primary care physician or a spine specialist — as soon as possible. However, do not panic, and do not jump to conclusions. Many people have neck pain for simple reasons that have nothing to do with a serious disease