Chronic neck pain is a common complaint with multiple potential causes. Here are our top five causes of neck pain symptoms:

  1. Muscle Strain and Tension
    This is often due to activities and behaviours such as:
    – Poor posture (e.g., forward head posture from looking at a computer screen)
    – Overuse, such as from repetitive motions
    – Sleeping in an awkward position or using an unsupportive pillow
    – Holding the head in a challenging position for prolonged periods, such as cradling a phone between the neck and shoulder.
  2. Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease
    As we age, the discs (the cushions between the vertebrae in the spine) can dry out and shrink, leading to arthritis and reduced cushioning in the cervical spine (neck). This degeneration can cause acute neck pain, especially if the disc becomes herniated and presses on a nerve.
  3. Cervical Spondylosis (Osteoarthritis)
    This is a general term for age-related wear and tear affecting the spinal disks in the neck. With time, the disks dehydrate and shrink, causing bone spurs (osteophytes) and other changes to the cervical spine. This can lead to neck pain and stiffness.
  4. Cervical Radiculopathy
    This is the irritation or compression of one or more of the cervical nerve roots. This can cause severe local and referred pain. Herniated discs or bone spurs can press on the nerves branching out from the spinal cord, resulting in neck nerve pain that radiates down the arm, along with other symptoms like numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness.
  5. Trauma
    Neck injuries, the most common of which is whiplash from a car accident, can lead to both immediate and long-term chronic neck pain. In a whiplash injury, the head is jolted backward and then forward, straining the soft tissues of the neck.

Apart from the above, other potential causes for neck pain include infections, tumors, and certain medical conditions. It’s essential to get a proper diagnosis if you’re experiencing neck pain, especially if the pain is severe, persistent, or accompanied by other symptoms like numbness arm weakness, or tingling in the arms.