Understand the Different Types of Neck Pain

Neck pain can range from a mild nuisance to a more severe, life-disrupting issue. Understanding the different types of neck pain helps in determining the right course of treatment and preventing the pain from worsening. Here’s a breakdown of neck pain based on its classifications, causes, and duration.

Why Is It Important To Understand the Different Types of Neck Pain?

Knowing what kind of neck pain you’re dealing with helps you manage it effectively. Whether it’s from poor posture or something more serious, identifying the type of pain can help in seeking proper treatment before it impacts your everyday life.

Untreated neck pain can lead to complications like chronic discomfort, muscle strain, or even nerve problems involving the spinal cord or nerve roots.

Types of Neck Pain According to Classification

Known as the fourth leading disability worldwide, neck pain can be classified into different types, targeting the specific area of the pain. Let's elaborate below.

Cervicogenic or Myelopathic

This type of neck pain stems from issues in the cervical spine or nerve roots. It often results in referred pain to the head or shoulders and can be caused by spinal stenosis or spinal degeneration. Myelopathic pain can also include symptoms like limb weakness due to pressure on the spinal cord.

Radicular

Radicular pain happens when a nerve root is compressed, causing pain to radiate down the arms or shoulders. This is often described as a shooting pain and could be linked to conditions like a pinched nerve or herniated disc. It can also lead to muscle weakness or a loss of range of motion in the neck.

Axial

Axial pain is localised to the neck and doesn’t radiate to other areas. It’s typically mechanical pain caused by strained neck muscles, poor posture, or facet joint problems. Axial neck pain often involves stiffness and discomfort directly in the neck area.

Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD)

Whiplash occurs after sudden, forceful movements that strain the neck, often from car accidents or acute injury. This can cause a combination of pain symptoms such as muscle pain, ligament sprains, and neck stiffness, affecting the neck’s range of motion and blood flow.

Types of Neck Pain According to Cause

Most neck pain can be diagnosed accurately after identifying the root cause. Below are some common instances.

Bone Neck Pain

Bone neck pain refers to pain originating from the cervical vertebrae or the bones that form the structure of the neck. The cervical spine is made up of seven vertebrae (C1 to C7), and any damage, degeneration, or abnormal growths in these bones can lead to significant discomfort. This type of neck pain is typically more intense and may feel deep or sharp.

In many cases, bone pain can affect nearby soft tissues, leading to muscle tension and additional discomfort in the neck and shoulders.

Causes

Bone neck pain often comes from issues with the cervical vertebrae, including the following:

• Fractures (trauma, such as car accidents or falls)
• Bone Spurs (small bony growths that develop as we age)
• Spinal Degeneration (wear and tear on the spine)
• Rheumatoid Arthritis (autoimmune condition that leads to inflammation in the joints)
• Osteoporosis (causes bones to become brittle and weak)
• Spinal Cord Compression (bone growth or vertebral misalignment, compressing the spinal cord)

How to Treat

Treatment for bone pain typically involves anti-inflammatory medications, physiotherapy of the neck, and (very rarely), surgery to relieve pressure on the spinal canal or nerve roots.

Physiotherapy providers in Singapore like Phoenix Rehab incorporate exercises that target the muscles around the neck can improve flexibility, strengthen weak muscles, and reduce stress on the cervical vertebrae. Physical therapy also focuses on improving posture to relieve pressure from the vertebrae and prevent further degeneration.

Additionally, some common treatment options include:

• Anti-Inflammatory Medications or NSAIDs
• Postural Adjustments
• Bone Health Management
• Assistive Devices

Cervical Facet Joint Neck Pain

Cervical facet joint neck pain originates from the small joints located between the vertebrae in the cervical spine. These facet joints provide stability and allow for smooth movement of the neck, but when they become irritated or inflamed, they can cause localised pain and stiffness, particularly when turning the head.

Causes

Facet joints connect the bones in the spine, and when these joints become inflamed or degenerated, they cause neck pain. Poor posture combined with physical strain or age-related changes are common causes of facet joint pain.

How to Treat

Treatment for facet joint neck pain often focuses on reducing inflammation and improving joint function:

• Physical Therapy
• Muscle Relaxants
• Injections (For severe cases)
• Surgery (If conservative treatments fail)
• Lifestyle Changes

Muscle and Ligament Neck Pain

This type of neck pain involves the muscles and ligaments that support the cervical spine. Muscle and ligament pain is often called soft tissue pain and can range from mild discomfort to severe pain that limits movement.

Causes

Muscle and ligament pain is commonly caused by strain from poor posture, repetitive motions, physical stress, or having weak abdominal muscles. Tight or tense muscles in the neck and shoulders, often linked to emotional stress, can also lead to pain and stiffness.

How to Treat

To treat muscle and ligament pain:

• Heat or Ice Therapy
• Stretching and Massage
• Muscle Relaxants (In cases of severe muscle pain or spasms)
• Posture Correction

Muscle Spasm Neck Pain

Muscle spasm neck pain occurs when the neck muscles contract involuntarily, causing tightness and discomfort. These spasms often feel like a sudden cramping or stiffening of the neck muscles, making it difficult to move the head.

Causes

Muscle spasms occur when neck muscles tighten involuntarily, often triggered by poor posture, emotional stress, or a pinched nerve. Muscle spasms can lead to a stiff neck and difficulty moving.

How to Treat

Managing muscle spasm neck pain involves addressing both the muscle tension and its triggers:

• Heat Therapy
• Stretching
• Pain Relievers
• Massage

Nerve Neck Pain

Nerve neck pain results from compression or irritation of the nerves in the cervical spine, commonly causing pain that radiates to the arms, shoulders, or upper back.

Causes

Nerve pain in the neck, like radicular pain, is usually caused by nerve compression or irritation from herniated discs or bone spurs. Nerve involvement can lead to shooting pain that travels down the arms.

Conditions like spinal stenosis can narrow the spaces in the spine, compressing the nerve roots and causing radicular pain (pain that radiates to other areas).

How to Treat

Treatment for nerve neck pain focuses on relieving pressure on the affected nerves:

• Rest
• Physical Therapy
• Medications
• Surgery (If conservative treatments fail)

Referred Neck Pain

Referred neck pain is when discomfort in the neck is caused by an issue elsewhere in the body, such as the shoulders, upper back, or even the jaw. This type of pain doesn’t originate from the neck itself but feels like it does.

Causes

Referred neck pain happens when pain is felt in the neck, but the actual issue is elsewhere, such as the shoulders or upper back. It can be caused by poor posture, neck-related headaches, or shoulder muscle tension.

How to Treat

Treatment for referred neck pain involves addressing the underlying issue:

• Physical Therapy
• Trigger Point Therapy
• Postural Adjustments

Therapy focuses on correcting posture, strengthening muscles, and improving flexibility in the affected areas to relieve referred pain. Releasing trigger points (tight muscle knots) in the shoulders or back can reduce the tension causing neck pain. Lastly, maintaining proper posture and making ergonomic adjustments at work or home can help prevent referred pain.

Types of Neck Pain According to Duration and Intensity

Neck pain can vary not only by its cause but also by how long it lasts and how intense the discomfort is. Understanding whether your neck pain is acute or chronic can help guide treatment and prevent it from worsening. Here’s a look at the two main categories based on duration and intensity.

Chronic Neck Pain

Chronic neck pain lasts more than three months and can result from underlying conditions like cervical spine degeneration, rheumatoid arthritis, or persistent poor posture. It often requires long-term care, including physical therapy, lifestyle changes, and possibly medical attention to manage severe pain.

Acute Neck Pain

Acute neck pain is sudden and can result from an injury or strain. It is usually short-lived, typically lasting less than two weeks. While this type of pain often resolves with rest and treatment, if left untreated, it may become chronic or indicate a more serious health problem.

How Can You Tell What Type of Neck Pain It Is?

Identifying the type of neck pain requires paying attention to the location, intensity, and any other symptoms involved, like muscle spasms, neck stiffness, or nerve-related pain.

Consulting a healthcare professional is often necessary for proper diagnosis, especially when nerve involvement or more serious health problems, such as unexplained weight loss or spinal degeneration, are suspected.

Why Can It Be Challenging To Identify Which Type of Neck Pain It Is?

The challenge in identifying neck pain stems from overlapping symptoms—many types of neck pain, such as muscle strain and facet joint pain, can present similarly. Additionally, referred pain or nerve involvement can blur the lines, making it tricky to pinpoint the exact cause of the discomfort.

Conclusion

Understanding the different types of neck pain, their causes, and how to treat them can help prevent neck pain from disrupting your life. Whether it’s caused by tense muscles, nerve problems, or mechanical issues in the cervical spine, the key is early intervention and maintaining good posture. If your neck pain persists, worsens, or is accompanied by other symptoms, seek medical attention to avoid long-term complications.