Neck Pain

Pain may arise from the neck or any of the surrounding structures. The commonest sources of spine pain is muscle strain and tension, small joints (facet joints) and slipped disc with pinched nerves. These symptoms are often associated with headaches and radiation into the arm or upper back.

Facet joint pain can have a number of causes, including pressure overload of the joints, injury or wear and tear(aging). The joint could become strained from an activity which an individual undertakes regularly, such as forms of physical exercise or manual work. It may also be a consequence of a whiplash accident.

Disc degeneration can be a typical precursor to the pressure overload on the facet joints, as it causes the narrowing of the space between each vertebra, which in turn leads to a build-up of pressure on the articular cartilage surface.

Facet joint arthritis has the ability to destroy the cartilage and fluid which is used for lubrication of the joints, causing pain.

In the neck region, areas of muscle which are stressed or strained, can become irritated and sensitive to pressure. Repetitive motions, e.g. typing, or specific manual tasks, can increase the strain on particular muscles or joints and so put individuals at higher risk of developing myofascial pain. Medical specialists also believe that stress may be a factor, as is having a poor posture.ormal curvature, a subluxed or hypermobile coccyx.