Cervicalgia is neck pain. Yearly, millions seek help from doctors for this very common complaint. There can be many different reasons for cervicalgia. The cause may be as minor as a muscle strain or as severe as stenosis. It is important to have any type of neck pain evaluated by a medical professional, as great harm can be done if a serious underlying cause goes untreated.

An activity which 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. This may be due to sleeping in positions which fail to adequately support the neck. Common complaints may also come after sitting in the same position for an extended period of time. Bad posture while sitting and standing can cause neck pain.

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.

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

Spinal stenosis can also cause this condition. If cervicalgia is caused due to some sort of stenosis, this generally means there is a narrowing in one or several areas of the spine. The narrowing typically appears in the neck and the lowest portion of the back. Other symptoms of stenosis 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 patient presenting neck-related symptoms to a doctor 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 not to self diagnose cervicalgia, as it 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.