Throughout our lives, most of us will experience neck pain. With the activities of our everyday lives, it is often unavoidable. With the stresses and strains of our modern world, neck pain is often medical issue with complex causes.

Also known as cervical pain, neck pain is usually caused by misalignment or compression of one or more of the seven vertebrae of the spinal column between the head and back. Often this misalignment results in a pinched nerve, muscle strain, or sprain. Typically felt as a dull aching, numbing or sore sensation, neck pain can also manifest in other ways, including headaches, dizziness, and even radiating pain or tingling down one or both arms. Neck pain can be burning, pinching, or stiffness that occurs in the muscles of the upper back and shoulder blades.

Neck pain is caused by any number of disorders including a pinched nerve, neck strain, or a herniated disc. Sometimes it is caused by diseases such as degenerative disc disease. A common cause is whiplash, an injury sustained in a rear-end car accident, which damages the supporting muscles and tissues of the neck.

Staring long hours at a computer screen, cradling a telephone between the ear and shoulder, slumping posture, sleeping on a bed or pillow that is not ergonomically designed, or overexertion during exercise can lead to a very real "pain in the neck". Sometimes neck pain is psychological, brought on by stress, worry, anxiety, or other issues.

Diagnosis typically involves medical professionals determining when the pain started and any activities that may have caused it. They will check to see if pain is radiating to the extremities and if particular movements worsen it. Tests may also be performed to determine the neck's range of motion to see where and how the pain occurs. Neurological exams may also be conducted to test muscle strength, reflexes, and nerve changes that may be symptoms of a more serious medical issue.

Medical treatment depends on the cause and severity of the pain. Sometimes resting the neck or using hot or cold compresses help alleviate the pain. In the case of neck injuries, use of traction, a soft collar, or even physical therapy may be necessary to alleviate pain and heal and rebuild damaged muscles. More severe neck pain often involves the use of cortisone injections or muscle relaxers.

Millions of patients each year choose chiropractic care to relieve neck pain. Chiropractors specialize in non-invasive, drug-free treatment that addresses the mechanics of the spine as well as the nerve-related causes of neck pain. Trained in a number of different approaches, chiropractors can treat cervical sprains, whiplash, cervical disc injuries, stiff neck, facet joint pain, and degenerative joint syndrome.

While it's almost too easy to sustain a neck strain or injury, neck pain is certainly not easy to live with. Having a proper diagnosis and treatment plan is essential to properly addressing and healing pain, preventing further injury, and resuming a normal life.