If nothing can be seen by x-ray on your neck, but you still have a lot of pain, how else can your pain be diagnosed?

If you have neck pain, your doctor will want to do a physical exam to see how much the neck injury is affecting you. He or she will check to see if the pain radiates beyond your neck, such as into one or both arms. This type of information can tell a lot about where your neck is injured.

You will be asked if the pain is more when you bend your neck, twist your neck, or just move in general. Your hand grip will likely be checked to see if there’s a difference between your hands. Your doctor may press on spots on your neck to see if that makes any difference to the pain or sensations.

Many times, a diagnosis is made from your symptoms and your history, and your neck pain can be treated effectively and successfully.