Causes of Neck Pain / Anatomy

Symptoms of Neck Pain

Treatment of Neck Pain using DTS

The neck (cervical spine) is composed of 7 bones (vertebrae), running from the base of the skull to the upper body. The bony vertebrae along with the ligaments provide stability to the spine. The muscles allow for support and motion.
The neck has a significant amount of movement and supports the weight of the head. Also, being less protected than the rest of the spine, the neck can be vulnerable to injury and disorders that produce pain and restrict motion.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF NECK PAIN?:
Neck pain may result from abnormalities in the soft tissues - the muscles, ligaments, and nerves - as well as in bones and joints of the spine. The most common causes of neck pain are soft tissue abnormalities due to injury or prolonged wear and tear. In rare cases, infection or tumors may cause neck pain.

Poor Posture - Ligaments are over-stretched, muscles become tired and the neck joints and nerves are put under pressure. Long hours in front of the computer, sleeping with your head in an awkward position, or working with your head down for long periods all tend to cause or worsen neck pain.

Degenerative and inflammatory diseases – like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can result in stiffness and pain of the neck.

Disc degeneration - The disc between the vertebrae acts as a shock absorber between the bones in the neck. In disc degeneration the gelatin-like disc loses its elasticity and the space between the vertebrae narrows. This adds stress to the joints of the spine, causing further wear and tear. The disc may also protrude and cause pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots when the rim of the disc weakens. This is known as a herniated cervical disc.

Injury – With the increased mobility and weight of the head resting on it, the neck is extremely vulnerable to injury. Motor vehicle accidents, contact sports, and falls may result in neck injury. A rear vehicle collision may result in extreme backward and forward motion, also known as whiplash. Most common injuries are to the soft tissues, i.e. muscles and ligaments. Severe injury can result in fracture or dislocation of the neck, and can even cause paralysis (quadriplegia).

Experienced physiotherapists in Singapore, with over 18 years of experience, help you to get relief from pain/weakness quickly and easily. You can book an appointment to see our Senior Physiotherapist. We are located right in the heart of Singapore, at Orchard, and are available Mondays through Saturday.