Neck Pain
What Increases Your Risk
Risk factors for neck pain that you cannot control include:
- Age. People older than 50 are more likely to have breakdown (degeneration) of discs or joints, as well as bone spurs in the vertebrae of the neck (cervical spondylosis).
- Recent injury or history of injury. A common injury to the neck is whiplash caused by a car accident.
- Conditions that affect the bones and soft tissues of the neck and back, such as rheumatoid arthritis, a narrowing of the spinal canal (cervical spinal stenosis), or a severely curved spine (scoliosis).
- A history of having headaches.
Risk factors that you can control include:
- Awkward positions that put stress on the neck.
- Stress and poor posture, at home or at work.
- Heavy physical work.
- Boredom at or unhappiness with work.
- Depression.
- Smoking.
- Drug abuse.
- Poor physical condition and lack of exercise.
 Go to previous section |  Go to top of page |  Go to next section |
| Author: | Monica Rhodes | Last Updated: August 24, 2006 |
| Medical Review: | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Robert B. Keller, MD - Orthopedics | |
 | ||
| |
| Topic Contents | |
| Topic Overview | |
| Cause | |
| Symptoms | |
| What Happens | |
 | What Increases Your Risk |
| When To Call a Doctor | |
| Exams and Tests | |
| Treatment Overview | |
| Prevention | |
| Home Treatment | |
| Medications | |
| Surgery | |
| Other Treatment | |
| Other Places To Get Help | |
| Related Information | |
| References | |
| Credits | |