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What is Neck Pain?

The neck is an important part of our anatomy; it has to support the weight of our head and protect our spinal cord. One very important aspect when it comes to neck pain is the fact that the muscles and nerves in the neck are responsible for moving and keeping the head in an upright position. This demands a constant and very accurate monitoring of the head's position. Any injury to the muscles or the nerves in this region will cause problems that might result in chronic neck pain. The ultimate injury (hanging) may fracture dens axis (cervical vertebra 2 (C2), (see Anatomy of the Neck below) and cause immediate death and less serious fractures may cause paralysis.

In the UK, one in four women and one in five men between the ages of 45 and 75 years, suffer from chronic neck pain. It is a common condition that will affect more than 50% of people at some point in their lives. Whether neck pain is acute (lasting less than a week) or chronic (lasting more than a week), about 90% of the cases do not cause lasting neurological damage and are due to chronic inflammation of the neck muscles as a result of bad posture and/or even minor injuries.

Anatomy of the Neck

The neck is structured in such a way so as to keep our spinal column stable and provide safe movement to our head. Our neck has seven cervical vertebrae, which are called C1…C7 that start from the base of the skull down towards the thoracic vertebrae.

Between each vertebra are intervertebral discs made of cartilage that cushion the vertebrae, provide flexibility and act as shock absorbers. Attached to each vertebra are two pairs of facet joints (also known as zygapophyseal joints). These interlock adjacent vertebrae to provide stability to the spine. Facet joints, working together, allow for movement of the spine, such as bending backwards, forwards and rotation. Ligaments attach the intervertebral discs to the vertebrae and tendons attach muscles to vertebrae. Neck ligaments and muscles branch out to the shoulders and back, which is why many people have shoulder and back pain with neck pain. The muscles in our neck are also responsible for moving our head. Protected by the vertebrae of the spinal column and encased in the spinal canal is the spinal cord, a bundle of nerve tissue that is the major communication pathway between the brain and the body.

What are the Symptoms of Neck Pain?

• Pain in any part of the neck that can be a dull ache or sharp pain depending on the cause
• Neck pain can radiate to the shoulders and/or to the back and head and is a major cause of headache
• Muscle stiffness in the neck that may feel worse after resting or staying in one position for a long time

If neck pain is experienced with any of the following symptoms, medical advice should be sought immediately:

• Severe neck pain following an injury
• Shooting pain that radiates down the shoulder and arm or leg and fingers may feel numb and tingly. This could indicate a compressed nerve, but could also be caused by activated muscular trigger points
• Weakness in an arm or leg

What Causes Neck Pain?

Muscle and joint inflammation: By far, the most common cause of neck pain is inflammation of the muscles and joints of the neck. This can result from many things, such as bad posture, tension and stress, overusing muscles and joints, and teeth grinding. When these things happen repetitively and insufficient amounts of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant nutrients are present in the body, people tend to develop chronic inflammation and persistent neck pain.

• Neck Osteoarthritis: The normal wear and tear of joints due to aging, for example from osteoarthritis, can cause neck pain and stiffness
• Injury: Whiplash (the head is jerked forward then back) is common after rear-end vehicle collisions and can cause varying degrees of neck pain and stiffness. Falls and contact sports can also cause neck injuries and pain
• Rarer Causes: Rarely, neck pain can be caused by a herniated (slipped) disc, infections, cervical abnormalities or tumours

How is Neck Pain Diagnosed?

A medical professional will likely take a complete history (location, type and onset) of the neck pain in tandem with a physical examination. For more complex cases of neck pain x-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computerised tomography (CT) scans may be performed. Electromyography (EMG), a muscle and nerve health test and myelography, a type of x-ray that uses a dye to evaluate the spinal cord and nerve roots, may also be conducted.

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