Cervicalgia, or neck pain, can occur anywhere in the neck, from the bottom of your head to the top of your shoulders. It can spread to the upper back or arms, and may limit how much you can move your head and neck.

The most obvious cause of neck pain is a sports injury or motor vehicle accident.

Whiplash or neck strain may cause microscopic tears in the neck muscles, resulting in tightness and swelling. Stress can lead to exhausted, overworked muscles and is another common cause of cervicalgia. Neck pain may also be caused by kyphosis, also known as cervical posture syndrome, which often affects cyclists, baseball catchers, and bodybuilders.

Cervicalgia causes localized pain that ranges from a “stiff neck” to an inability to turn your head or bend your neck without sharp pain or tight muscles.

Other symptoms include:

• Headaches
• Tightness in the upper back
• Burning or aching sensation in the neck and upper back
• Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arm

A cervical spine specialist at Lancaster Orthopedic Group will diagnose your neck pain by performing a physical exam and asking questions about your symptoms and any injuries, illnesses, or activities that may be causing the pain. If the condition has not improved after a few weeks, your doctor may recommend an X-ray, MRI or CT scan to determine whether an underlying spinal problem may be the cause.

Surgery is rarely done to treat cervicalgia / neck pain; however, it may be recommended if your pain is caused by a medical problem, such as pressure on the spinal nerve roots, a tumor, or narrowing of the spinal canal.