Neck pain

Neck pain, also known as cervicalgia, is a common problem, with two-thirds of the population having neck pain at some point in their lives.

Because there is not a universally accepted classification for neck pain, it is difficult to study the different types of pain. In 2020, neck pain was the second most common cause of disability in the United States and cost $100 billion in health care spending.

Nightly rotator cuff impingement may lead to an asymptomatic shoulder impingement, leading to neck pain. Neck pain can be caused by other spinal problems, and may arise from muscular tightness in both the neck and upper back, or pinching of the nerves emanating from the cervical vertebrae.

The head is supported by the lower neck and upper back, and it is these areas that commonly cause neck pain. If this support system is affected adversely, then the muscles in the area will tighten, leading to neck pain.

As of 2020, neck pain affected about 203 million people globally, with females having higher prevalence.