<s>[INST] Hello I went in to the doctor to check out my neck, because im having some pain and discomfort in the back part, also i have a bit of swolleness on my left side of my thyroid. what do you think could be the cause. the doctor i saw said it was fat around my neck and that i may have a muscle spasm. [/INST] Hi there Thanks for your question at ChatDoctorThe cervical related neck and shoulder pain usually reduces over 2 to 3 months(with maximum relief over first month). Neck pain can usually cause due to varied etiologies involving the structures in neck mainly the nerves, muscles, disc, joints and abnormal posture. Pain restricted to neck only and which is not shooting down the arms is suggestive of pain arising from the muscles, joints, bones or disc. Pain arising from the nerves usually shoots down the arm into fingers and associated with numbness.  Physiotherapy usually takes 2 to 4 weeks, to show any kind of meaningful relief. Analgesics medications in tablet form or local applications can increase the amount of relief. Posture modification is one of the things which can add to the benefits of physio and medications. If you are working on a computer, there are several posture related adjustments, which can help you to fasten your recovery and help you maintain your cervical spine strength over time. Ergonomics is the field of science which deals with such adjustments. I would suggest you to go through websites which deal with ergonomics for working on a computer and adopt those postures. Apart from this, you should avoid sitting or standing in the same posture for more than 20 to 30 minus at a stretch, avoid looking into or playing on your phone for more than 2 to 3 minutes. These minor modifications can help you maintain good cervical spine postures If the pain persists for an over 6 weeks, I would suggest her to visit an Orthopedic, so that at least a baseline X-ray and thorough examination can be done. Based on these and her response to medicines and physiotherapy, she might require an MRI. But neck pain usually resolves with medicines, rest and physiotherapy in the majority of patients suffering from the same. Also need to see your physician for swollen sensation on left side of your thyroid. Hope this helps All the best Chat Doctor.  </s>