SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

There are many signs and symptoms associated with neck pain which include:

• Pain
• Discomfort
• Muscle tension/spasm
• Limited neck mobility
• Radiating upper extremity pain
• Muscle dysynergy (incoordination)

CAUSES

It is important to understand that neck pain is a symptom of a medical condition, not a diagnosis itself. Medical problems that can cause neck pain include the following:

Mechanical problems: A mechanical problem is a problem with the way your spine moves or the way you feel when you move your neck in certain ways. Perhaps the most common mechanical cause of neck pain is a condition called intervertebral disc degeneration, which simply means that the discs located between the vertebrae of the spine are breaking down with age. As they deteriorate, they lose their cushioning ability. This problem can lead to pain if the neck is stressed. Other mechanical causes of neck pain include muscle spasm, muscle tension, spinal joint inflammation, and ruptured discs, which are also called herniated discs.

Injuries: Neck injuries such as sprains and fractures can cause either short-lived or chronic pain. Sprains may be associated with tears in the ligaments that support the spine, and they can occur from hyperextension and/or hyperflexion injury such as that occurs with “whiplashâ€? secondary to an automobile accident.  Fractured vertebrae are often the result of osteoporosis, a condition which causes weak, porous bones. Less commonly, neck pain may be caused by more severe injuries that result from accidents and falls.

Acquired conditions and diseases: Many medical problems can cause or contribute to neck pain. They include various forms of arthritis, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis; and spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal column that puts pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. While osteoporosis itself is not painful, it can lead to painful fractures of the vertebrae. Other causes of neck pain include fibromyalgia, muscle overuse syndromes and referred pain from chronic shoulder conditions.