Neck pain is a common complaint; we help patients assess and treat chronic neck discomfort.

Neck muscles can be strained from poor posture — whether it’s leaning over your computer or hunching over your workbench. Osteoarthritis also is a common cause of neck pain, as are injuries, such as a car accident or fall.

Signs and symptoms of neck pain include:

• Pain that’s often worsened by holding your head in one place for long periods, such as when driving or working at a computer
• Muscle tightness and spasms
• Decreased ability to move your head
• Headache

Is pain in my neck a sign of something more serious?

It is a common question and a great question. Often people experience pain in one or the other side of the neck. Typically, the pain occurs because of a muscle strain or another benign cause.

However, whenever you experience severe, chronic, or prolonged neck pain, call and see your doctor. Here at Minnesota Head & Neck Pain Clinic, we’ll find the root cause of your pain and guide you in non-invasive methods of managing that injury.

What are common causes of neck pain?

This needs an individual assessment before a more specific answer. Common medical conditions that impact neck pain are stress, poor posture, neck injury such as in whiplash, overworking your muscles without proper rest, degenerative disc disease, neck strain, osteoarthritis, cervical spondylosis, spinal stenosis, a herniated disc, or a pinched nerve (called cervical radiculopathy).