Neck pain causes

Neck pain is extremely common. At any given time, it affects around 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. A wide range of factors can cause neck pain, from a too-quick twist of your head to a chronic underlying condition.

Understanding the cause of neck pain can help your health care provider find an effective treatment plan. At Aurora Health Care, our team of spine specialists offers comprehensive evaluations to get to the root of your neck pain and determine what treatment will help you find relief.

What causes neck pain?

Your neck, also called your cervical spine, is a complex set of bones, joints, muscles and nerves. Damage or irritation to any of these structures in your neck can lead to pain or stiffness.

Because your neck supports the weight of your entire head, it can be prone to injuries. Sometimes, these injuries are simple strains that resolve in a few days. Other times, chronic pain may last for weeks or months.

Muscle strains

Muscle strains occur when small tears form in your muscle tissue. Strains are a common cause of neck pain, and there are many underlying reasons for muscle strains. You may develop a neck muscle strain from working at a computer or simply “sleeping wrong.” Strains usually resolve within a few days or weeks.

Joint wear and tear

Your joints are the connective tissue that hold the cervical spine together. If a joint wears down or moves out of its usual position, it can strain your neck and cause pain.

A surprising cause of joint problems in your neck? Habitually cracking your neck. “Many people crack their neck regularly and don’t think about the long-term harm they could be causing to their own body,” explains Dr. Mark Heintzkill, a chiropractor at Aurora BayCare Medical Center Occupational Health & Wellness in Manitowoc, WI. “When you habitually crack your own neck, you apply random pressure on the joints. Doing this on a regular basis can lead to instability and take a toll on your neck.”

Pinched nerves

Nerves are responsible for sending signals to your brain that help you feel sensations. Damage to the structures in your neck can compress or pinch the nerves in your neck, causing pain. Pinched nerves are also more likely to cause symptoms, such as tingling and numbness in the arms, along with pain.

Traumatic injuries

Sudden injuries can damage the structures in your neck. For example, whiplash, a sudden forced movement of your head and neck, is a common injury in car accidents. Traumatic injuries can cause a range of neck pain symptoms, depending on the damage.

What conditions cause neck pain?

Some conditions can lead to damage that causes neck pain, including:

• Bone spurs (cervical osteophytes): Spurs are bony growths that form at the ends of your bones. Bone spurs often form when you have inflamed or damaged ligaments around your spinal bones (vertebrae).
• Cervical osteoarthritis: As you age, the smooth, protective covering at the end of your spinal bones (cartilage) naturally wears down. If cartilage wears away completely, it can cause your spinal bones to rub against each other, causing pain and inflammation.
• Degenerative disc disease: Between each vertebrae, you have a sponge-like pad called a disc that provides cushioning and shock absorption. Discs naturally wear down over time. When this natural wear and tear causes pain, it’s called degenerative disc disease.
• Herniated disc: Each spinal disc has a tough outer shell and a jelly-like center inside. When the outer shell tears, it’s called a herniated disc or ruptured disc. The jelly-like substance may leak into the spinal canal, where it can press on surrounding nerves and cause neck pain. A herniated disc usually happens due to injury.
• Meningitis: This infection causes the membranes around your brain and spinal cord (meninges) to become inflamed and swollen. The swelling can cause neck pain, stiffness and headaches. Meningitis is rarely the main cause of neck pain. If you have meningitis, you usually also have other symptoms such as fever, nausea or vomiting.
• Rheumatoid arthritis: This chronic, autoimmune condition causes inflammation throughout your joints, including those in your neck. The inflammation can lead to pain, swelling, stiffness and decreased mobility.
• Spinal stenosis: Your spinal column narrows, which can put pressure on your spinal cord and nerves. It commonly affects your neck and lower back, causing pain, numbness, muscle weakness or tingling.

Is neck pain related to the heart?

Neck pain isn’t usually related to your heart. But sudden, unexplained neck pain can be a sign of a heart attack. If you’re having a heart attack you typically have other symptoms along with neck pain, including:

• Arm, shoulder, jaw or upper back pain
• Chest pain
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Fatigue
• Heart palpitations or feeling like your heart is racing
• Shortness of breath

If you think you or a loved one is having a heart attack, call 911 right away. Timely treatment can reduce the damage your heart sustains and even save your life.

Risk factors for neck pain

Neck pain can affect anyone, but there are some people who are more at risk. For example, people with professions that require repetitive poor posture have a higher risk of neck pain. Continually looking up to paint ceilings, reaching up high in a warehouse or operating heavy machinery can put extra strain on your neck.

Other risk factors for neck pain include:

• Being female
• History of neck injuries
• Poor posture
• Smoking