Almost everyone has experienced a neck pain. It can be either mild and annoying or extremely severe. The most obvious and common cause of a neck pain is awkward positions. So often we keep our heads at awkward angles for too long resulting in a neck pain.

Fortunately, most minor, posture-induced neck pain episodes clear up on their own after rest and efforts not to repeat the same stress on the neck.

Unfortunately, some neck pains are more serious and do not go away. Such pain that lasts for many days or is recurring is a sign that something is wrong. It could be indicative of a disease, an injury such as whiplash, a congenital malformation, or progressive degeneration that can come with age.

The Neck

The neck is composed of vertebrae along with the ligaments that provide stability to the spine. It supports the entire weight of the head as well as provides mobility. However, because it is less protected than the rest of the spine, the neck can be vulnerable to injury and disorders that produce pain and restrict motion. 

Causes of Neck Pain

Most neck pain results from abnormalities in the soft tissues, which are the muscles, ligaments, and nerves, sometimes injury may be to the bones and joints of the spine as well. The most common causes of neck pain are soft tissue abnormalities due to stress and incorrect posture.

In rare cases, infection or tumors may cause neck pain. 

Degenerative and Inflammatory Diseases

Sometimes neck pain is the result of degenerative diseases like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. These mostly occur in older people due to continuous wear and tear of the joints. Both of these types of arthritis can cause stiffness and pain in the neck region.

Cervical disk degeneration also can cause neck pain. When the normal gelatin-like center on the disk degenerates and the space between the vertebrae narrows, extra stress is applied to the joints causing further damage. Sometimes the cervical disk may protrude and cause pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots; this is known as a herniated cervical disk. 

Injury

The neck is the part that supports the head and is extremely vulnerable to any kind of injury. The most obvious causes of injury are motor vehicle or diving accidents, contact sports, and falls. 

Sometimes a rear end automobile collision may result in hyperextension (sudden backward motion of the neck) or hyperflexion, (sudden forward motion of the neck) beyond its normal limits. This injures soft tissues like muscles and ligaments and can cause severe injury. More severe injury like dislocation or fracture can lead to paralysis.

In rare cases neck pain causes may include tumors, infections, or congenital abnormalities of the vertebrae. 

Getting Help

In case the neck injury is due to a motor vehicle accident, diving accident, or fall, a trained professional, such as a paramedic, should be asked for immediately. 

Immediate medical care should also be sought for when an injury causes pain in the neck that radiates down the arms and legs.

In case the neck pain is without injury, seek medical care if the pain is:

•       Continuous and persistent 

•       Is very severe 

•       Radiates down the arms or legs 

•       Is accompanied by headaches, numbness, tingling, or weakness 

Where to get help: Most people seek orthopedic care for neck pain, because orthopedicians are specifically trained for problems with the musculoskeletal system. 

Diagnosis

It is essential to determine the source of the pain before recommending a treatment. Your doctor will do a thorough examination in order to determine the cause of the pain. Your doctor will also require your medical history and will ask you several questions about your illnesses and injuries in context with the pain. 

For further evaluation your doctor may perform several specialized x-rays like an MRI or a CT, etc.

Treatment

Treatment of the pain depends on what the diagnosis reveals. Once the source is targeted the treatment begins. Most patients are treated successfully with rest, medication, immobilization, physical therapy, exercise, activity modifications or a combination of these methods. 

•       In case the pain is due to inflammation your doctor may prescribe rest and a neck collar for a specified period of time, as well as medication to reduce inflammation.  

•       When the pain is chronic certain exercises and various types of physical therapy may be included in the prescription to help you relieve your pain and prevent it from coming back.

•       Patients with neck pain seldom require surgery.