Neck Pain

Injury/Accidents: A “whiplash” injury is the sudden movement of the head or neck in any direction resulting in a rebounding towards the opposite direction. This sudden motion can injure the surrounding tissues of the neck. Motor vehicle accidents are the most common cause of whiplash injuries. Minor whiplash can cause muscle fatigue leading to pain and stiffness. Severe whiplash can result in an injury to the discs, ligaments, intervertebral joints, and nerve roots.

Aging: Degenerative disc disease, osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis are all disorders commonly associated with aging that directly affect the spine. These degenerative changes cause the bones to react by forming bone spurs which limit motion as well as narrowing of the passageways for the nerves to leave the spine. This narrowing compresses the nerves stopping them from functioning normally which causes neck, shoulder, and arm pain, as well as numbness. Over time, degeneration can cause a disc to bulge or herniate, causing severe pain and numbness.

Lifestyle: Poor posture, obesity, sedentary habits and lack of exercise can disrupt balance, causing the neck to bend forward and the muscles to tighten in order to compensate. These postural stresses can lead to chronic neck pain.