What you always wanted to know about the history and physical examination of neck pain but were afraid to ask.

Diagnoses of most cases of neck pain can be made on the basis of a careful history and physical examination. Any tests must be interpreted only in the context of the clinical examination. The clinician must be cognizant of signs or symptoms that may indicate a more serious disorder by attending to the red flags and examining the lower extremities for spasticity that could indicate cervical myelopathy.