Neck pain - Causes and Symptoms

Definition

Neck pain is a symptom that recognizes many possible causes. Located in the cervical region, it can in fact originate from problems with one or more structures - such as muscles, vertebral column, ligaments, intervertebral discs or joints - which guarantee both movement and support for the neck and head.

This symptom is to be attributed, in most cases, to vertebral pathologies of mechanical origin or sustained by infections, inflammatory processes or tumors. Among the most frequent causes there are the hernia of an inter-vertebral disc and the cervical arthrosis. Sometimes, neck pain is associated with traumatic spinal injuries (eg whiplash), contractures or muscle spasms (stiff neck), incorrect postures taken during the day or when sleeping, or even excessive overloads and repeated on the neck muscles. Pain can also result from many other disorders, such as Paget's disease, herpes zoster, rheumatoid arthritis, meningitis and some vascular disorders. Even the presence of an anxiety state can induce tension in the neck muscles.

Neck pain can be felt in the morning or it can appear suddenly during the day, as a result of muscular effort. Depending on the cause, neck pain may be accompanied by secondary symptoms, such as: headache, neck and shoulder stiffness, muscle fatigue, numbness and tingling.