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Area of care: Rheumatism and joints

Cervicalgia (neck pain)

In short

Cervicalgia is a sharp pain in the neck, most often at the back, that limits head movements. It is often linked to a bent-forward position held for a long time or to osteoarthritis of the neck, and usually goes away in a few days, sometimes a few weeks.

  • Areas concerned: Neck, Back of the neck
  • Page reviewed on October 30, 2026

NeckBack of the neck

Common signs

  • Pain at the back of the neck, which can spread to the shoulders
  • Limited and painful head movements
  • Wry neck (torticollis): one or more neck muscles contracted
  • Headaches, mostly at the back of the head
  • Pain that goes down into the shoulder or the arm

When to see a doctor

  • Sudden neck pain with fever, headache, vomiting, chills and discomfort with lightcall emergency services
  • Severe pain with feeling faint, problems speaking or seeing, paralysis or difficulty walkingcall emergency services
  • Blow to the neck after age 65, however hard; before 65, a fall from more than one metre, a dive with impact, a high-speed impact, a fall or collision on a two-wheeled vehiclecall emergency services
  • Heavy or tingling arm, clumsy hand: see a doctor the same day
  • Pain that persists at night and wakes you up, or pain that started after a simple fall: see a doctor the same day

What physiotherapy does

A few physiotherapy sessions can be useful. They combine neck mobilisations, active or passive, techniques where the muscles are contracted then relaxed, and exercises in which you take part. Massage is not used alone, it goes with the other techniques, and rehabilitation can help limit recurrences.

Techniques used at the practice

Neck mobility, strengthening of the neck and shoulder blade muscles and endurance work. Manual therapy, joint mobilisations, therapeutic massage and pain-relieving physical treatments (electrotherapy, heat therapy or ultrasound, where indicated).

How the sessions go

Clinical assessment of the neck and the shoulder girdle. Personalised exercises and progression towards everyday, work or sports demands. Manual and physical techniques are included in the programme depending on the case.

My pain diaryFill it in every day, show it at your session

Advice

Vary your positions, keep up regular activity and do the exercises you have been taught. Gradually go back to the movements limited by pain.

Sources

  1. Cervicalgie (douleur du cou) : causes et symptômes (new tab)Assurance Maladie (ameli.fr), accessed October 26, 2026
  2. Douleur du cou, torticolis : que faire et quand consulter ? (new tab)Assurance Maladie (ameli.fr), accessed October 26, 2026
  3. Cervicalgies : consultation, traitement et évolution (new tab)Assurance Maladie (ameli.fr), accessed October 26, 2026

Page reviewed on October 30, 2026

This page is for information and does not replace a consultation. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis.

Rheumatism and joints

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