Neck Pain

A neck muscle strain, specifically a cervical paraspinal muscle strain, refers to a condition in which the muscles supporting the cervical spine (neck) are overstretched or torn. 

These muscles run alongside the spine and help support the neck, enabling movement and maintaining posture. A muscle strain may be caused by overuse, poor posture, or injury.

A cervical interspinous ligament sprain refers to an injury to the ligaments located between the spinous processes of the cervical vertebrae. These ligaments provide stability to the spine by connecting the spinous processes, which are the bony projections on the back of each vertebra. 

A sprain occurs when these ligaments get stretched or torn due to trauma, sudden movements, repetitive movements, poor posture, or heavy lifting. 

A nuchal ligament sprain refers to an injury to the nuchal ligament, a large ligament that extends from the base of the skull to the spinous processes of the cervical vertebrae. 

The nuchal ligament helps support the head and maintain posture. When this ligament is stretched or torn, it can cause significant pain and discomfort.

Cervical facet joint pain refers to discomfort arising from the facet joints in the neck. The facet joints, located between and behind adjacent vertebrae, provide stability and flexibility to the spine, enabling smooth movement. 

Cervical facet joint pain can be due to various causes, such as injury, inflammation, or degeneration. Cervical facet joint arthritis is caused by the breakdown of cartilage within the facet joints, leading to pain and stiffness.

An annular disc tear occurs when the annulus fibrosus, the tough outer ring of an intervertebral disc, rips due to trauma, degenerative disc disease, repetitive strain, or poor posture. It can reduce mobility and cause neck pain, numbness, muscle weakness, and inflammation.

Cervical disc degeneration, also known as cervical degenerative disc disease, is a condition where the intervertebral discs in the cervical spine deteriorate due to aging, wear and tear, dehydration, or injury. 

These discs act as cushions between the vertebrae, allowing for flexibility and movement of the spine. When they degenerate, it can lead to neck pain and reduced mobility.

A cervical disc herniation occurs when the gel-like center of a cervical intervertebral disc, called the nucleus pulposus, protrudes from its normal location and presses on adjacent nerves or the spinal cord. This condition can cause significant neck pain, numbness, and weakness that radiates to the shoulders, arms, and hands.

A cervical disc herniation can be caused by trauma, degenerative disc disease, repetitive strain, heavy lifting, and genetics.

Cervical radiculopathy, often referred to as a pinched nerve, occurs when a nerve root in the cervical spine becomes compressed or irritated. This condition can cause pain, numbness, or weakness that radiates from your neck into the shoulders, arms, and hands.

Several factors can contribute to cervical radiculopathy:

• Ruptures or bulges in the intervertebral discs
• Degenerative disc disease from age-related wear and tear
• Growth of bone spurs 
• Injury to the neck
• Narrowing of the spinal canal 

Thoracic outlet syndrome refers to the compression of the nerves and blood vessels that pass through the thoracic outlet, a narrow space between the collarbone and the first rib. It can affect nerves, called the brachial plexus, that extend from the neck to the arm, causing neck pain, arm pain, and numbness.

Cervicogenic headaches are a type of headache that originate from problems in the bones in your neck, joints, or neck muscles. These headaches are often characterized by pain that radiates from the neck to the head, typically affecting one side. 

Cervicogenic headaches can result from a fall, sports injuries, whiplash, arthritis, or compression of the nerves in your neck. People who hold their heads out in front of their bodies can develop cervicogenic headaches, as this posture puts extra weight on the neck and upper back.