You should consult your primary care physician for an evaluation if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Neck pain with high fever, chills, and weight loss
- Ongoing numbness, tingling, weakness in the arms or legs
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
- Loss of balance
- Severe headaches
- Dizziness
- Neck pain that persists despite conservative treatment
- No obvious cause for neck pain
- Neck pain that is progressively getting worse, and worsens at nighttime
- 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