Neck pain (also known as cervicalgiaor cervical pain) is a common problem, with two-thirds of the population having neck pain at some point in their lives. Neck pain can be acute (lasting for 6 weeks or less) or chronic (lasting for 3 months or longer).
The more common causes of neck pain include:
- Stress
- Prolonged or poor postures (eg. using a computer or falling asleep in an awkward position)
- Muscular strains and over use
- Minor injuries and falls
- Whiplash (have a link to info below)
- Pinched nerves
- Herniated discs
Degenerative changes can also contribute to neck pain and this may cause more ongoing pain. These include:
- spondylosis arthritis and osteophytes
- spinal stenosis a narrowing of the spinal canal
Usually, everyday activities are to blame for neck pain. However, for most people, no specific reason for the pain can be found.