Neck pain may begin in any of the structures in the neck. Neck pain affects approximately 80% of people at some point in their lifetime. Pain in the neck can be due to injury, a mechanical or muscular problem.

A trapped nerve caused by a bulge in one of the discs between the vertebrae or from arthritis of the neck. When your neck is sore, you may have difficulty moving it, especially to one side. Many people describe this as having a stiff neck.

Like the other joints in your body, your neck joints experience wear and tear with age, which can cause osteoarthritis in your neck. Neck (cervical) osteoarthritis can cause pain and stiffness in your neck.

Rear-end collisions often result in whiplash injuries, which occur when the head is jerked forward and back, stretching the soft tissues of the neck beyond their limits.

Neck pain can occur anywhere in your neck, from the bottom of your head to the top of your shoulders. When your neck is sore, you may have difficulty moving it, especially to one side. Many people describe this as having a stiff neck. It may limit how much you can move your head and neck.

Neck pain arises from injuries to different parts of the neck, which can lead to temporary or chronic pain. The cervical spine (neck) supports the weight of your head and protects the nerves that come from your brain to the rest of the body.

Acute neck pain are due to a muscle, ligament or tendon strain, which is usually caused by a sudden force or from straining the neck (e.g. sleeping in the wrong position). If you have neck pain that lasts longer than two weeks to three months, or with arm pain, numbness or tingling, there is often a specific anatomic abnormality.