If you experience neck pain that doesn’t get better within 2-3 days, you may have an underlying condition causing your pain. Common causes include: Intersegmental dysfunction Cervical facet joint dysfunction Whiplash Spinal stenosis Degenerative joint disease Arthritis Sprain or strain Spondylolisthesis Disc herniations Joint dysfunction and soft tissue injuries tend to resolve with care the fastest, though they can also become chronic issues — like arthritis or spinal stenosis — if left untreated.