Neck pain can refer to any soreness or stiffness in the neck area no matter how slight or severe and can often radiate up to the head or down into the shoulders, arms and fingers. A very common occurrence, neck pain affects 10-15% of the population at any given time, negatively impacting a person’s ability to engage in a healthy, active lifestyle. While it is possible that neck pain may alleviate itself over time, common reoccurrence or persistence may signify an underlying cause that needs to be addressed.
One of the leading causes of neck pain stems from poor posture, particularly when a person’s head in tilted forward for long periods of time. This causes strain on the muscles, tendons and ligaments, making them work harder. Sitting at a computer, reading a book and texting are the most common reasons for poor posture. Additionally, sleeping in the wrong position can overextend the neck or create fatigue in the spinal muscles and joints. Other common causes of neck pain include injury from sports or trauma such as whiplash.
