Many people will know the cause of their neck pain because they sustained it from an accident or injury. On the other hand, many others are left wondering as to what is causing their pain. For these individuals, examining the signs and symptom are vital to identifying the cause of their neck pain. For instance, does the pain stay localized or does it radiate down the shoulder and arm? Pain that shoots down the arm may indicate signs of nerve involvement. It's possible that the nerve may be irritated, entrapped, or "pinched." If the pain remains localized, the possible causes may include spasms, sprains, strains, facet joint disorder, arthritis and fracture.

In addition, you will want to identify if the pain is constant or intermittent. Is the pain worse when you are performing any specific activities? For instance, does your neck hurt more when you rotate your head? If so, it may be attributed to muscle or joint dysfunction. Is the pain lessened when you position yourself a certain way? How long have you been experiencing this pain? Has it improved or has it become worse? Pain the gradually worsens is a red flag. Normally, any pain that lingers beyond 2-3 months can be a serious health condition. In these circumstances, it would be in your best interest to see your physician.

All in all, what is stated above are questions that you will need to keep in mind when experiencing neck pain. If you can identify the signs and symptoms of your pain, then it will allow you to better understand the cause of your neck pain.