Neck pain is the second most common problem relating to movable body parts and it affects about two-thirds of the population, and almost 10% of these people have chronic neck pain. Please consult a doctor immediately if:

• Neck pain occurs while moving the neck
• The neck is stiff
• Pain occurs behind the head, between the shoulder blades and arms
• There is numbness, weakness, or tingling in the upper limbs
• There is an experience of losing balance, and dizziness
• There are balancing issues
  

  
  Neck Pain Causes

  
  Neck pain usually shows up because of aging, postural and mechanical irregularities in people. However, there are some deeper issues like:

  • Bone spurs/Osteophyte formation: Sometimes, there is a small growth in the bone at the joint. It puts pressure on the nerve and causes pain.
  • Disc degeneration: The discs of the vertebrae help in smooth movement along the spine. When the disc thins out due to wear and tear, there is more friction during movement, causing pain.
  • Disc herniation: The gel inside the vertebrae that acts as a shock absorber leaks out of the disc when it becomes brittle and cracks open. This puts pressure on the exposed nerve that causes the pain.
  • Poor posture: The most common example of poor posture is leaning forward for a prolonged period of time (head and shoulders bent forward- like working in front of a computer). There is an undue strain on the muscles and ligaments in the neck which results in pain.
  • Mental health concerns: Depression and anxiety have been known to cause neck pain.

  In the case of asymptomatic chronic neck pain, a pain caused by mechanical and degenerative factors is called cervical spondylosis. It is also referred to as cervical osteoarthritis or neck arthritis.