Cervical / Neck pain is pain in or around the spine beneath your head, known as the cervical spine. Cervical / Neck pain is a common symptom of many different injuries and medical conditions.
Neck pain can last from days to years, depending on the cause. Common causes include osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, herniated disc, pinched nerve, mental and physical stress and strain, poor posture, tumors and other health conditions.
Muscle strains : Overuse, such as too many hours hunched over a computer or a smartphone, often triggers muscle strains. Even minor things, such as reading in bed, can strain neck muscles.
Worn joints : As with other joints in the body, neck joints tend to wear with age. In response to this wear and tear, the body often forms bone spurs that can affect joint motion and cause pain.
Nerve compression : Herniated disks or bone spurs in the vertebrae of the neck can press on the nerves branching out from the spinal cord.
Injuries : Rear-end auto collisions often result in whiplash injury. This occurs when the head jerks backward and then forward, straining the soft tissues of the neck.
Diseases : Certain diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, meningitis or cancer, can cause neck pain.