Information for Consumers - Neck Pain (Non-Traumatic)

This article tells you about non-traumatic neck pain and how it is diagnosed, including what imaging tests you may need to have.

What is non-traumatic neck pain?

Non-traumatic neck pain is pain in the neck which has been caused by aging or diseases such as arthritis. It has not been caused by injuries or trauma such as fractures.

Diagnosis

Your doctor will discuss the signs and symptoms of your neck pain. Neck pain will usually go away within a few days and you would not normally need an X-ray for diagnosis. Your doctor may request an imaging test if he/she:

thinks something more serious may be causing your neck pain
your pain does not get better with simple treatment measures
you have other symptoms, such as tingling, numbness or weakness in your limbs

Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may request an X-ray, MRI, CT scan, or a myelogram. This will help the doctor to decide what is causing your neck pain and what type of treatment you need.

Further information

For more detailed information, please access InsideRadiology at: www.insideradiology.com.au

This is a resource produced especially for consumers by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists: www.ranzcr.edu.au

A guide to gathering information that you may need for making informed decisions is published by the Consumers' Health Council of Australia at: https://chf.org.au

If you would like to look at other relevant articles, please access the following:

Or access the Diagnostic Imaging Pathways website at: radiologyacrossborders.org/diagnostic_imaging_pathways/consumer-info

Or if you have questions or require any further information please contact your doctor or speak to the staff where you are going to have your procedure.

Consumer participation

This information has been reviewed by representatives from the following groups:

Aboriginal people
People with disabilities
Seniors
CALD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse)
The Health Consumers' Council

Feedback

All feedback, comments and suggestions regarding consumer information at Diagnostic Imaging Pathways are welcome. Please direct them to the following email address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Disclaimer

This article is intended as general information only. The Department of Health cannot accept any legal liability arising from its use. The information is kept as up-to-date and accurate as possible, but please be warned that it is always subject to change.