What Causes Neck Pain?

Causes of neck pain include:

Abnormalities in the bone or joints
Trauma
Poor posture
Degenerative diseases
Tumors
Muscle strain

How Are Neck and Shoulder Pain Diagnosed?

X-rays: Plain X-rays can reveal narrowing of the space between two spinal bones, arthritis-like diseases, tumors, slipped discs, narrowing of the spinal canal, fractures and instability of the spinal column.

MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging is a noninvasive procedure that can reveal the detail of neural (nerve-related) elements.

Myelography/CT scanning: Sometimes used as an alternative to MRI

Electrodiagnostic studies: Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction velocity (NCV) are sometimes used to diagnosis neck and shoulder pain, arm pain, numbness and tingling.

For both neck and shoulder pain movement exercises may help. For cases in which nerve roots or the spinal cord are involved, surgical procedures may be necessary.