Call it a "crick," a bulging disk, a muscle sore spot or a stiff neck, it all means the same thing -- you have pain that indicates there is a problem.
Many people experience neck pain. Many times, the neck muscles are strained or otherwise compromised by poor posture from working on a computer, leaning down over a work table or simply sitting in a chair incorrectly.
Arthritis can be the issue, or neck pain may be a sign that something else is going wrong in the body. Numbness in the hands or arms or shooting pains are a sign that something serious is happening. When you have pain caused by holding your neck rigidly in place for long periods while working or driving, suffer muscle spasms and tightness, or have difficulty moving your head, it may be time to consult a doctor.
Because the neck is flexible and is attached to the head, which is a heavy part of the body, it can be susceptible to injuries. Here are five issues that may be the cause of neck pain, including:
- Muscle strains - If there is a project that requires intense concentration, a worker may not move the neck much. This can cause stiffness and strain in the neck muscles. Pain can also originate from awkward sleeping positions, placing the neck in strange positions for reading or simply moving the neck in a direction that causes injury.
- Worn-out joints - Wear and tear can happen to the joints in the neck. The onset of arthritis can cause deterioration in the cartilage cushions in the neck vertebrae, which eventually leads to bone spurs that can hamper joint motion and cause mild to extreme pain.