Neck Pain

Your cervical spine is the most complex and neurologically rich area of the spine. It contains nerve bundles, blood vessels and soft tissue such as ligaments, tendons and fascia. Neck pain is slightly less common than back pain, but very often related to pain in other parts of the spine or body.

Most common causes of neck pain include, but are not limited to

• Subluxations of the cervical spine
• attendant muscle spasm
• abberant motion patterns
• Myofascial trigger points

Sometimes complicating factors may include muscle strain, degeneration of the facet joint cartilage, osteoarthritis of weight-bearing joints, herniated disc, or cervical stenosis.

Any of these may cause pain to radiate down the arm and lead to shooting pain.

A sprain of the muscles, ligaments, or tendons in the neck area usually causes acute neck pain. Vehicular accidents, repeated carrying of heavy items (such as luggage), or awkward sleeping positions are often the culprits. Most ligament or tendon injuries in the neck will heal with proper chiropractic care.