Cervical back pain affects your neck. Your cervical spine is composed of seven vertebrae that help support a head that weighs fifteen or more pounds, flexes 90 degrees to both sides of your head, rotates 180 degrees and tilts 120 degrees toward each of your shoulders. Your neck can be particularly vulnerable to strain and injury.
Injury
An injury to your neck (or cervical spine), which features eight different nerve roots, can cause you a lot of pain. The most common neck injury is whiplash, which happens when your neck gets hyperflexed or hyperextended. The muscles around your neck tighten and contract, which causes pain. Car accidents are generally the cause of whiplash.
Aging
Aging could also cause you to experience neck pain when it is accompanied by spine disorders like spinal stenosis, osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease. If you have any of these conditions and are older than 60, your neck might feel pain and numbness, which causes problems with mobility and daily activities.
Posture
Poor posture is another potential cause of cervical back pain. Your neck overcompensates for your lack of proper posture and creates an imbalance in your back. Weakened abdominal muscles and obesity can also put stress on your neck and weaken it.
Warning
If you experience cervical back pain for more than a week, take it seriously. Spinal tumors, fractures and spinal cord compression can all create such pain. You should visit your physician.
Treatment
You can do exercises to increase the strength of your neck muscles to help decrease the amount of pain you experience. Hydrotherapy and massage can also help soothe your pain. Your doctor might prescribe acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Severe, persistent cervical back pain might also require prescription medicine, such as a narcotic or muscle relaxant.
