Are you experiencing:

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• Stiffness or pain after staying in one position for any length of time

• Inability to turn your head or bend your neck

• Numbness or tingling that starts in the neck and radiates into your shoulders or arms

• Loss of balance or dizziness

• Loss of flexibility

• Grinding or popping in your neck (crepitus)

• Aching, sharp or stabbing pain

• Pain that starts in the neck and radiates into the shoulders

• Waking up in pain “for no reason”

 

While some neck pain will go away on its own, if you have been experiencing increasing pain, or the pain comes and goes, but never quite goes away for good, your neck pain may be a sign of a serious medical issue. To better understand what might be happening, let’s take a closer look at your neck.

Anatomy of the Neck

The cervical spine (neck) connects the skull to the thoracic spine (upper back) through a series of seven vertebrae, C1 through C7, which stack on top of each other to create the upper portion of the spinal column. Each of these vertebra, as well as the nerves, tendons, discs and other connective tissue protect the neck and allow it to function properly.

 

C1 (Atlas) and C2 (Axis) — these “top” vertebra are the smallest. The Atlas is responsible for about half of the head’s forward and backward motion. The shape of the Axis allows the Atlas vertebrae to rotate around it, allowing for about half the head’s back and forth rotation.

 

C3 through C6 — Each of these four vertebrae share the same basic size, shape and function: to absorb shock and distribute weight. These vertebrae, plus C7, are also home to the Joints of Luschka, which assist with forward and backward movement of the neck, while holding the joints steady, so they don’t allow too much side to side bending.

 

C7 —the final cervical vertebrae, C7, connects with the thoracic vertebrae to continue the spinal column. Thanks to the more prominent bony protrusions (spinous process) on this vertebra, this is likely the one you feel when you touch the back of your neck.

 

Each vertebra also has a pair of Facet Joints , which help limit and control range of motion and rotation along the spinal column. Within these joints are Medial Branch Nerves , which send pain signals to the brain.

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Common Causes of Neck Pain:

Because the Cervical Vertebrae are strong, flexible and built to take strain while remaining very steady, most neck pain is the result of either serious injury or long-term wear and tear. In most cases, minor neck strain or stiffness will abate on its own over time. If you are experiencing minor or infrequent neck pain, here are some suggestions that may help you feel some relief:

 

• Avoid strenuous exercise, but you may want to also avoid sitting or lying in the same position for extended periods.

• Apply cold and/or heat. Ice should go first, in the first two days, to reduce inflammation. Heat can help increase blood flow, which speeds healing.

• Stretching or low-impact exercise can loosen tight muscles and tendons to restore range of motion.

• Massage to relieve tension and release any stiffness that may cause pain

• Improve your posture. Slouching or leaning can place undue pressure on your spine. Sitting up straight allows the spine to work most efficiently.

• Limit screen time on mobile devices. We spend so much time looking down at our phones, doctors have identified a new condition called “text neck.”

 

Causes of more severe neck pain may include falls, auto collisions, sports injuries or hyperextension. Any of these immediate injuries may result in trauma to the connective tissue (sprain, strain or whiplash) or vertebral fracture (broken neck), as well as injuries to the nerves or spinal cord. However, your neck pain may also be the result of degeneration or repetitive stress, indicating one or more of the following