Definition
Neck pain is a common problem, affecting many adults at some time in their lives. Neck pain can involve just the neck and shoulders, or it might radiate down an arm. The pain can be dull or feel like an electric shock into the arm. Some symptoms, such as numbness or muscle weakness in an arm, can help pinpoint the cause of neck pain.
Causes
Some causes of neck pain include:
Cervical dystonia (spasmodic torticollis)
Cervical spondylosis
Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH)
Fibromyalgia
Herniated disk
Meningitis
Muscle strains (An injury to a muscle or to tissue that connects muscles to bones, called a tendon.)
Myofascial pain syndrome
Osteoarthritis (the most common type of arthritis)
Poor posture
Rheumatoid arthritis
Sleeping in awkward positions or with too many or too few pillows
Spinal stenosis
Tension headache
Trauma from accidents or falls
Whiplash
