Small round bones with spongy discs between them make up the cervical spine. The bones, also called vertebrae, shield the nerves that run up through your spine and act as a base for tendons and ligaments to run through. The discs act as shock absorbers between the vertebrae. The cervical spine consists of the top seven vertebrae in your neck and top of your spine. Cervical pain during exercise can be caused by several factors, ranging from high-impact jarring to trauma or disease.
Spondylosis
Arthritis of the spine, or spondylosis, is a painful condition that strikes anywhere along the spine. When present in the cervical area, it causes pain from any exercises that jar your neck. Arthritis causes the discs between the vertebrae to wear down, leaving bone rubbing against bone. The pain often spreads to your arms, shoulders and hands. You also may have difficulty maintaining your balance when exercising. Spondylosis is a degenerative disease that typically occurs with age. Work on strengthening your neck muscles to alleviate the pain when you move your head.
Degenerative Disc Disease
In time, the discs between your cervical vertebrae wear out. Degenerative disc disease, also called the wear-and-tear disease, creates bone spurs on your discs that pinch the nerves in your spine when you exercise. Degenerative disc disease, or DDD, often runs in families. Smoking contributes to the condition. If you have DDD, you'll have trouble with exercises that require you to bend your neck. Surgery to replace the damaged cervical discs is a common treatment for DDD.
Pinched Nerve
You may have a pinched nerve in your cervical spine that causes pain in your shoulder called referred pain. According to the Sports Injury Clinic, the nerve is unable to transport complete information when it's compressed. You may find that you have muscle weakness when you try to lift weights, particularly in your biceps. You may have tingling in your hands and fingers. A compressed cervical spine nerve can cause you to have trouble with coordination during sports or other physical activities. You can reduce the discomfort by placing your hands on top of your head to alleviate the pressure. The radiating pain can mimic a heart attack, so you should see your doctor immediately if the pain strikes suddenly to rule out cardiovascular problems.
Cervical Disc Bulge
Poor posture, improper weightlifting techniques and lying on your side for prolonged periods of time can lead to a cervical disc bulge. A bulge in the cervical spine occurs when persistent pressure is placed on the spine, causing the jelly-like substance in the disc to bulge out. Pain may radiate down your arm or hit you suddenly when you perform the exercise that caused the bulge. Pain often is restricted to one side of the neck, and you'll have trouble turning your head. The bulge can be pushed back into place and will heal as long as you don't continue with the movements that put pressure on it.
