Neck Pain

Overview

Neck pain is a common condition in the United States. It’s estimated that:

• Approximately 30-50% of adults experience neck pain at some point in their lives.
• About 15-20% of adults report neck pain at any given time.
• Chronic neck pain affects around 10-15% of the adult population.

Here are some of the most common causes of neck pain:

Muscle Causes and Trigger Points (Very Common and Most Often Overlooked by Other Pain Management Doctors and Spine Surgeons)

• Poor posture: Slouching or poor posture, especially from sitting at a computer or looking down at a phone for extended periods, can lead to muscle tension and pain in the neck.
• Overuse: Repetitive movements, lifting, or sudden awkward motions can strain the neck muscles and cause discomfort.
• Sleeping position: Sleeping with your neck in an awkward position, such as with an unsupportive pillow, can lead to muscle stiffness and pain.
• Emotional stress can lead to muscle tension in the neck and shoulders, often resulting in pain and stiffness. Chronic stress can exacerbate muscle tightness and lead to recurring neck pain.
• Injuries or Trauma
• Falls, sports injuries, or accidents (such as car crashes) can result in damage to the muscles, ligaments, bones, or discs in the neck, causing pain, swelling, and limited movement.
• All of these can lead to the formation of trigger points deep within muscles.
• Deep trigger points are areas of tight, hyperirritable muscle fibers that form within a muscle and cause pain in the local area or sometimes in another part of the body. These points are often deeper within the muscle tissue and are typically more difficult to reach than superficial trigger points. Trigger points are often associated with myofascial pain syndrome and can result from muscle overuse, poor posture, stress, injury, or other factors.

When pressure is applied to a deep trigger point, it may cause localized tenderness or a referred pain sensation in another area. This referred pain is one of the hallmark characteristics of trigger points, where pain is felt at a site distant from the trigger point itself. For example, a trigger point in the neck might cause pain, tingling, numbness in the head, shoulder, arm, or hand.  Lower back trigger points can cause pain, tingling, and numbness that radiates down the leg, potentially mimicking sciatica/radiculopathy/ pinched nerve.

Herniated Disc

The discs in the cervical spine (neck area) can bulge or rupture, putting pressure on nearby nerves and causing pain, numbness, or tingling in the neck, arms, or shoulders

Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease

As people age, the discs between the vertebrae in the neck may lose hydration and elasticity, leading to reduced disc height and possibly causing pain and stiffness. This is a normal part of aging but can be more painful for some people.

Cervical Spondylosis (Osteoarthritis)

This is the wear and tear of cartilage in the neck joints, often associated with aging. It can lead to pain, stiffness, and limited range of motion due to degenerative changes in the bones, discs, and joints of the neck.

Whiplash

Whiplash is a common injury caused by sudden jerking movements of the neck, often during car accidents. It can damage the muscles, ligaments, and soft tissues in the neck, causing pain, stiffness, and headaches.

Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis refers to the narrowing of the spinal canal, which can put pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. When this occurs in the cervical spine, it can lead to neck pain, along with tingling, numbness, and weakness in the arms and hands.

Pinched Nerve (Cervical Radiculopathy)

A pinched nerve occurs when a disc, bone spur, or other issue compresses a nerve root in the neck. This can cause pain that radiates from the neck to the shoulders, arms, or hands, often accompanied by tingling, numbness, or weakness.

Tension and Stress   

Emotional stress can lead to muscle tension in the neck and shoulders, often resulting in pain and stiffness. Chronic stress can exacerbate muscle tightness and lead to recurring neck pain.

Injuries or Trauma

• Falls, sports injuries, or accidents (such as car crashes) can result in damage to the muscles, ligaments, bones, or discs in the neck, causing pain, swelling, and limited movement.
• Fractures in the neck from a traumatic injury can also lead to severe pain and instability.