Pain In The Neck?

Some causes can be serious. Know all about its treatment and care…

When a necessary task is considered to be less than fun, it’s sometimes described as being a “pain in the neck.” Actual neck pain can be much more troubling.

Neck pain is a common problem with many possible causes. Sometimes, simple self-help techniques can ease the pain. But neck pain can at times be related to a more serious condition.

Recognizing the difference can be a critical factor in getting the right medical care.

Off The Mark

Neck pain can manifest itself in different ways. You may experience stiffness in your neck that interferes with your daily tasks, or a sharp or dull pain in the neck. Sometimes, the neck pain is accompanied by shoulder, back or arm pain. Common causes for ordinary neck pain include:

Muscle Strains

These are typically triggered by overuse, such as too many hours hunched over a desk or computer, or leaning over a steering wheel. Neck muscles – especially those in the back of the neck – fatigue and become strained (tension myalgia). If the overuse occurs repeatedly, the result can be chronic neck pain.

Worn Joints

Over time, wear and tear occurs in the neck joints. Neck (cervical) osteoarthritis can result and cause pain and stiffness.

Disk Degeneration

With age, the spongy disks that provide cushion between the vertebrae of your spine become stiff and provide less shock absorption. This normal aging process may cause neck and upper back pain. Occasionally, the nerves exiting the spine are affected by a herniated disk or outgrowths of bone spurs from around neck joints that are worn. If the nerves are irritated by the disk or bony outgrowth, it may cause pain in the shoulder or arm.