Health
Fact-checked

At TheHealthBoard, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What is Cervicalgia?

Nat Robinson
Nat Robinson

Cervicalgia is neck pain, and millions seek help from healthcare professionals for this very common complaint every year. There can be many different reasons for neck pain, and the cause may be as minor as a muscle strain or as severe as stenosis. It is important for people suffering from any type of neck pain to be evaluated by a medical professional, as great harm can be done if a serious underlying cause goes untreated.

Any activity that places a significant amount of pressure on the neck can cause cervicalgia. For instance, many people complain about neck pain immediately upon awakening in the mornings, which may be due to sleeping in positions that fail to adequately support the neck. Common complaints may also come after sitting in the same position for an extended period of time since bad posture while sitting and standing can cause neck pain.

Cervicalgia is neck pain that can be the result of minor or serious disorders.
Cervicalgia is neck pain that can be the result of minor or serious disorders.

Often, this condition occurs due to injury. Muscle strains are a common injury of the neck and are usually a result of overstretching. A strain is caused by an injury to a muscle or tendon. Automobile accidents, falls, and sports-related activities, which may result in hard jarrings of the neck, are some usual ways to get a strain. Other than neck pain, an individual with a strain may also experience stiffness, tenderness, and neck spasms.

Bad posture may cause cervicalgia.
Bad posture may cause cervicalgia.

Another common cause of cervicalgia is general wear and tear, which can happen from overuse and as a direct result of aging. Arthritis can be an age-related condition that may cause neck pain, and in many incidences, bone spurs will form in spaces affected by arthritis. The formation of these tiny bony prominences can make the pain worse by placing added pressure on connecting nerves, which can also cause difficulty moving the neck.

Muscle strain often causes cervicalgia.
Muscle strain often causes cervicalgia.

Spinal stenosis can also cause this condition. If neck pain is caused due to some sort of stenosis, this generally means that there is a narrowing in one or more parts of the spine. The narrowing typically appears in the neck and the lowest portion of the back. Other symptoms of this condition can include numbness and weakness in the neck, back, arms, and legs. If the condition is very severe, some individuals may also experience problems with walking and maintaining balance.

A gel pack can be used to soothe strained neck muscles.
A gel pack can be used to soothe strained neck muscles.

A patient presenting neck-related symptoms to a medical professional will be sent for diagnostic tests for an accurate diagnosis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans are commonly used to diagnose neck problems. It is important for people not to self-diagnose cervicalgia, as this type of pain could indicate a serious health problem. Neck pain accompanied by a fever, chill, nausea, and a headache could all be symptoms of meningitis. Although not very common, pain in the neck can also be caused by tumors, which makes seeking prompt medical care all the more important.

Discussion Comments

anon329790

I sought a doctor's care today and was told it was cervicalgia and muscle spasms. He gave me a steroid shot because he said I had a trigger point. I feel exponentially better! He said not many doctors administer those shots anymore. Does anyone know why? I feel like a new person!

rallenwriter

A lot of times athletes are prone to cervicalgia too, particularly those who participate in sports where a lot of falls or tackling go on, like football.

That's why it's important for athletes to take care of their necks and get check-ups to make sure that everything is in order.

TunaLine

Other cervicalgia symptoms include pain when turning the head sideways, stiffness of the neck and shoulders and tightness in the upper back.

Many people with cervicalgia also get tension headaches that stem from the stress and pain in the neck.

EarlyForest

Sometimes doctors will prescribe a set of cervicalgia exercises to strengthen the neck if a person keeps having long-term neck pain.

This can be particularly important for people with arthritis, since the exercises can help increase flexibility and range or motion.

Common cervicalgia exercises include neck rotations, stretching the head from side to side, and building neck strength by pushing the head against the palms.

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • Cervicalgia is neck pain that can be the result of minor or serious disorders.
      By: apops
      Cervicalgia is neck pain that can be the result of minor or serious disorders.
    • Bad posture may cause cervicalgia.
      By: bst2012
      Bad posture may cause cervicalgia.
    • Muscle strain often causes cervicalgia.
      By: Kamil Ćwiklewski
      Muscle strain often causes cervicalgia.
    • A gel pack can be used to soothe strained neck muscles.
      By: JPC-PROD
      A gel pack can be used to soothe strained neck muscles.