Neck Pain

Without a doubt, neck pain is one of the most common complaints we see at our practice. Considering the amount of time people spend at their workstations or on their digital devices at home, it’s no surprise that many suffer from neck pain.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of neck pain include the following:

• Muscle tightness and spasms
• A decreased mobility affecting how far you can turn your head
• Headache
• Pain in neck and/or running down shoulders and/or arm

Common Causes

Because your neck is flexible and supports the weight of your head, it can be susceptible to injuries and conditions that result in pain and restricted motion. Here are some of the most common causes of neck pain:

Muscle strains. Things like sitting for many hours hunched over your computer often triggers muscle strains. Even reading in bed—especially if you don’t have proper neck support—can strain neck muscles.

Worn joints. As you age, your neck joints tend to wear down. Osteoarthritis causes the cushions (cartilage) between your bones (vertebrae) to deteriorate. Your body then develops bone spurs that affect joint motion and result in pain.

Nerve compression. Herniated disks or bone spurs in the vertebrae of your neck can put pressure on the nerves that branch out from the spinal cord.

Injuries. A rear-end auto collision often results in a whiplash injury. This type of injury occurs when the head is jerked backward and then forward, resulting in the soft tissues of the neck being strained.

Poor Posture. Especially from working at a computer or spending time on electronic devices sometimes referred to as “text neck”.

Heavy Bags/Backpacks.As with back pain, children can experience neck pain from heavy backpacks that are not properly fitted.

Stress. Long-term stress causing tension in neck and shoulder muscles.

Sleep. Sleeping positions as well as using an improper pillow can cause neck issues.

Slips and Falls, Biking, Skiing, and Sports Injuries may also cause neck pain. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I have to have my neck adjusted?

What other things can I do to address neck pain?