Each person's neck pain is different and each person responds to pain differently, so review with your doctor which may work best for you.

The medications that may help include:

• over-the-counter medication for pain such as acetaminophen, or a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen or naproxen

• an ointment or cream applied to the painful area, such as Icy-hot or BenGay

• prescription medicines such as muscle relaxants (diazepam, cyclobenzaprine, or methocarbamol) and higher doses of ibuprofen and naproxen

• powerful pain relievers, such as narcotics (codeine, propoxyphene, oxycodone and others); side effects, such as sedation, constipation and nausea, are common and limit the use of these; they are also habit forming, so low doses and short duration of use are recommended if these medications are prescribed

• tramadol (Ultram), a non-narcotic medication that acts in a similar way to narcotic medicines

• injections of cortisone and long-acting anesthetic agents; these are occasionally offered for certain causes of neck pain (such as osteoarthritis, disk disease or spinal stenosis).

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