Free

E-Newsletters

Subscribe to receive the latest updates on health topics. About our newsletters

  • Housecall
  • Alzheimer's caregiving
  • Living with cancer

Risk factors

By Mayo Clinic staff

Risk factors for neck pain include:

  • Age. The neck is often affected by the wear-and-tear variety of arthritis (osteoarthritis), which becomes more common with age.
  • Occupation. Your risk of neck pain may be higher if your job requires your neck to be held in one position for prolonged periods of time. Examples include driving and computer work.
References
  1. Devin C, et al. Neck pain. In: Firestein GS, et al. Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: W.B. Saunders Co.; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/170975296-3/0/1807/271.html?tocnode=55731659&fromURL=271.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3285-4..10039-7_1122. Accessed Nov. 13, 2009.
  2. Isaac Z, et al. Evaluation of the patient with neck pain and cervical spine disorders. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 13, 2009.
  3. Meningitis and encephalitis fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/encephalitis_meningitis/detail_encephalitis_meningitis.htm. Accessed Nov. 13, 2009.
  4. Neurological diagnostic tests and procedures. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/misc/diagnostic_tests.htm. Accessed Nov. 17, 2009.
  5. Anderson BC, et al. Treatment of neck pain. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 17, 2009.
  6. Chiropractic: An introduction. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. http://nccam.nih.gov/health/chiropractic/. Accessed Nov. 17, 2009.
  7. Acupuncture for pain. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. http://nccam.nih.gov/health/acupuncture/acupuncture-for-pain.htm. Accessed Nov. 17, 2009.
  8. The Bone and Joint Decade 2000-2010 Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders. Executive summary. Spine. 2008;33:55.
  9. Bauer BA. Mayo Clinic Book of Alternative Medicine. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2007:117.
  10. What a pain in the neck! American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. http://www.aapmr.org/condtreat/pain/necktips.htm. Accessed Nov. 17, 2009.
DS00542 Feb. 17, 2010

© 1998-2012 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Print Share Reprints

Advertisement


Text Size: smaller largerlarger