“What a pain in the neck!” If you've had neck pain, you get the origins of the phrase. Neck pain can be acute or chronic, and the causes can be simple or complex. They may include:

Joint problems.

Joints connecting the vertebrae can get inflamed and become arthritic, and the vertebrae can develop bony spurs. Symptoms are neck stiffness, soreness and a limited range of motion.
Disk problems.

An injury may cause the disk to bulge or rupture and push against nerves. Often, pain is felt down the neck and into the shoulders, arms or hands. With chronic disk issues, the spongy disk material dries and stiffens, reducing shock absorption. This is seen more often in older adults.
Muscle problems.

Overuse can aggravate the muscles that support the neck, causing them to tighten. And aging diminishes the strength and tone of these muscles.

Treatments can stabilize and improve the neck muscles. See your doctor to determine the cause of your pain and to rule out more serious conditions. Many things in life are a “pain in the neck” — your neck doesn't have to be one of them.

Call Arizona Spinal Care to determine the cause of your pain at 480.513.9580

Source: http://www.usaweekend.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20104110307 Dr. Tedd Mitchell • April 11, 2010