Neck pain can be caused by an activity or injury that harms the neck or by another medical condition.

Activities that cause neck pain

Most neck pain is caused by activities that result in repeated or prolonged movements to the neck's muscles, ligaments, tendons, bones, or joints. This can result in a strain (an overstretched or overused muscle), a sprain (injury to a ligament), a spasm of the neck muscles, or inflammation of the neck joints.

These activities include:

• Holding your head in a forward or odd position for long periods of time while working, reading, watching TV, or talking on the telephone.
• Sleeping on a pillow that is too high or too flat or doesn't support your head, or sleeping on your stomach with your neck twisted or bent.
• Spending long periods of time resting your forehead on your upright fist or arm ("thinker's pose").
• Work or exercise that uses the upper body and arms, such as painting a ceiling or other overhead work.

Stress and focusing intensely on a task can contribute to neck pain. Tension may develop in one or more of the muscles that connect the head, neck, and shoulders. They may feel tight and painful.

Injuries that cause neck pain

The spine consists of interlocking bones (vertebrae) and discs that separate the vertebrae. The portion of the spine that runs through the neck is known as the cervical spine. Muscles and ligaments in the neck hold the cervical spine together. Injury to any of these structures may result in neck pain.

See illustrations of the neck and the vertebrae and discs.

Minor injuries may occur from tripping or falling a short distance or from excessive motion of the cervical spine. Severe neck injuries may occur from whiplash in a car accident, falls from significant heights, direct blows to the face or the back or top of the head, sports-related injuries, a penetrating injury such as a stab wound, or pressure applied to the outside of the neck, such as strangulation.

Pain from an injury may be sudden and severe. Bruising and swelling may develop soon after the injury. Sudden (acute) injuries can result in:

• A strain or a sprain in the neck.
• A break or dislocation of the spine. This may cause a spinal cord injury that may lead to lack of movement and feeling (paralysis). It is important to immobilize and move the injured person correctly to reduce the risk of further injury. For more information, see first aid for a spinal injury.
• A ruptured disc (herniated disc) in the cervical spine. If the rupture is large enough, the jellylike material inside the spinal disc may leak out and press against a spinal nerve. A herniated disc in the cervical spine can also occur as part of aging. See an illustration of a herniated disc.

Medical conditions that cause neck pain