Neck pain

Neck pain, also known as cervicalgia, refers to discomfort or ache in the neck region. Here are some key points about neck pain:

1. Causes:
   • Muscle Strains: Overusing neck muscles during repetitive or strenuous activities can lead to stiffness and pain.
   • Worn Joints: As with other joints in the body, neck joints tend to wear with age, leading to bone spurs that affect joint motion and cause pain.
   • Nerve Compression: Herniated disks or bone spurs in the vertebrae of the neck can press on nerves, causing pain.
   • Mental Stress: Tightening neck muscles due to stress can also result in neck pain and stiffness.
2. Symptoms:
   • Pain that worsens when holding the head in one place for extended periods (e.g., while driving or working at a computer).
   • Muscle tightness, spasms, and decreased ability to move the head.
   • Other symptoms may include headaches, stiffness in the neck, shoulders, and upper back, and numbness or tingling in the shoulders or arms.
3. Who Is Affected:
   • Neck pain is common, affecting 10% to 20% of adults. It’s more prevalent in women and tends to increase with age.
4. When to Seek Medical Attention:
   • Seek immediate care if severe neck pain results from an injury (e.g., motor vehicle accident, diving accident, or fall).
   • Contact a healthcare provider if neck pain persists for several days without relief, spreads down the arms or legs, or is accompanied by headache, numbness, weakness, or tingling.

Remember that most causes of neck pain improve with conservative treatments like pain medicine, exercise, and stress management.