Neck pain commonly manifests as a constant dull ache at the lower or upper ends of the neck. Patients often report associated pain with turning the neck. Neck pain is usually caused by poor posture, arthritis, excessive computer work or driving for long periods.

Neck pain can also be caused by an injury such as whiplash or waking up with extreme neck pain and an inability to turn the neck despite no obvious cause.

Did you know that a very common cause of tension headaches is rooted in the neck, resulting from muscle tension and trigger points. At the base of the skull there is a group of muscles, the suboccipital muscles, which can cause headache pain for many people.

What are the causes of neck pain ? Your neck is flexible and supports the weight of your head, so it can be vulnerable to injuries and conditions that cause pain and restrict motion. Neck pain causes include:

Muscle strains. Overuse, such as too many hours hunched over your computer or smartphone, often triggers muscle strains. Even minor things, such as reading in bed or gritting your teeth, can strain neck muscles.

Worn joints. Just like the other joints in your body, your neck joints tend to wear down with age. Osteoarthritis causes the cushions (cartilage) between your bones (vertebrae) to deteriorate. Your body then forms bone spurs that affect joint motion and cause pain.