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Neck pain is usually the result of poor posture or overexertion. But sometimes it can indicate a serious injury such as whiplash or an illness. Your neck consists of vertebrae that extend from the skull to the upper body. The neck is less protected than the rest of the spine. Therefore, the neck is more susceptible to injuries or conditions that cause pain. If you have neck pain that lasts more than a week, is severe, or is accompanied by other symptoms, see a doctor.
Also read: How do I set up my (home) office ergonomically?
11 causes of neck pain
Neck pain does not always mean that there is an underlying condition. You often get pain due to incorrect posture. But there are many other reasons for a sore neck. We go over some possible causes.
Aging: As you get older, you have to deal with natural wear and tear. This can cause parts of your cervical spine to deteriorate or degenerate, causing pain. Degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis (the wearing out of joint cartilage) and spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spaces in your spine) can cause complaints such as neck pain. Over time, stress and repetitive motion can weaken the discs in your spine, causing a herniated disc or a spinal disc pinched nerve could get.
Physical strain: Overloading your neck muscles during repetitive or strenuous activities can lead to stiffness and pain. Poor posture, weak abdominal muscles and heavier body weight can affect the alignment of your spine. This can progress to neck pain. For example, straining your neck by looking at a computer screen for a long time is a common cause of neck pain.
Stress: If you tense your neck muscles because you are stressed, this can lead to neck pain and stiffness. Many people who tense these muscles when they are stressed do not realize they are doing so until their neck starts to feel sore.
Injury: Injuries can damage muscles, ligaments, and nerve roots in your spinal cord, among other things, and lead to neck pain. Whiplash from car accidents is a common injury that causes neck pain.
Growths: Tumors, cysts, and bone spurs (smooth, bony lump that grows from a bone) can put pressure on the nerves in your neck and cause pain.
Rheumatoid arthritis causes pain, swelling of the joints and bone spurs. When these occur in the neck area, neck pain can result.
Osteoporosis weakens the bones and can lead to minor fractures. This condition often occurs in the hands or knees, but can also occur in the neck.
Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes muscle pain throughout the body, especially in the neck and shoulder region.
Head and neck cancers can also cause neck pain.
Meningitis is a dangerous inflammation of the thin tissue surrounding the brain and spinal cord. People who have meningitis suffer from neck pain, among other things.
Neck pain can be a symptom of a heart attack. It is often accompanied by other symptoms, such as shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, arm or jaw pain.
Also read: What can you do about a stiff neck and shoulders?
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Last updated: December 2023
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2023-12-13 23:02:15
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