Neck pain is a pain in the neck. It can show up in any area of the neck from the base of the head to the top of the shoulders. This pain can spread to the upper back or even to the arms and has the ability to limit the head and neck’s range of motion. It is common in people over the age of 50 but can affect people of all ages.
Like back pain, neck pain can result from many different causes. Some causes include slouching, sleeping in a position that twists the neck, a fall, infection, narrowing of the spinal canal or even rheumatoid arthritis. Symptoms include headaches, stiffness or severe pain in the neck and difficulty turning the head. If there is pressure on a spinal nerve root, pain may shoot down to one or both arms resulting in numbness, tingling or weakness. If pain is chronic, other symptoms may include fatigue, anxiety and depression.