The Neck

Cervical disc herniation is a common cause of neck and upper body pain.

The seven bones in the neck are the cervical vertebrae. They support the head and connect it to the shoulders and body.

Cervical radiculopathy, commonly called a "pinched nerve," occurs when a nerve in the neck is compressed or irritated where it branches away from the spinal cord.

Neck pain can be caused by many things—but is most often related to getting older.

Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is a neck condition that arises when the spinal cord becomes compressed—or squeezed—due to the wear-and-tear changes that occur in the spine as we age.

The cervical spine refers to that portion of the spinal column that is within our neck.

Congenital muscular torticollis, also called twisted neck or wry neck, is a condition in which an infant holds his or her head tilted to one side and has difficulty turning the head to the opposite side.

The vertebrae are connected by a disc and two small joints called "facet" joints. As you get older, the center of the disc may start to lose water content, making the disc less effective as a cushion. As a disc deteriorates, the outer layer can also tear.

The neck has a significant amount of motion and supports the weight of the head. However, because it is less protected than the rest of the spine, the neck can be vulnerable to injury and disorders that produce pain and restrict motion.

A pain-free neck is a lot like the carefree days of our youth — we don’t appreciate it ‘til it's gone.