Main Causes of Neck Pain

Suffering through neck pain is never fun, but knowing what causes the ailment is the first step in prevention. Neck pain can caused by anything from an auto accident to a football hit to a medical condition like meningitis. 

Injury

Anyone who has been in a car, sports or biking accident and experienced whiplash is likely to be the victim of stiffness and neck pain. Moving one's head from side to side in a violent manner or having a jarring contact with another person or object is likely to result in debilitating pain. If involved in an accident, always be sure to reach out to a neck pain San Mateo for proper guidance.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a medical condition that occurs in older age and is the result of damage to the joints. This type of arthritis makes it difficult to move the joints because of stiffness. 

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Unlike osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that is often hereditary. This disorder is known for causing sever pain in the joints and can result in difficulty moving and walking. It often results in pain in the upper half of the neck.

Pinched Nerve

The causes of a pinched nerve can range from arthritis to a herniated disk to a sports related injury. Because it can be the result of many different conditions, it is important that a pinched nerve be examined by a specialist. Pinched nerves can result in neck stiffness that can be felt all the way down to a person's arms and legs.

Fibromyalgia

Although rare, fibromyalgia is a condition that is connected with achy muscles and joints. If the muscles contract inwards, it can result in a stiff neck that is painful an difficult to turn from side to side. Luckily, people who suffer from fibromyalgia are able to control it through everything from lifestyle changes to stress management to prescription medications.

Meningitis

Meningitis is an infection of the fluid that is between the brain and spinal cord. Contracting meningitis is a serious and life threatening infection that needs to be treated by a doctor immediately. Suffering from a stiff neck, fever and headache are all symptoms of meningitis.