What Is Cervicalgia? Understanding the Top Causes of Neck Pain

Neck pain is one of the most common everyday complaints. Studies show that more than one in four people experience neck pain at any given time, which helps explain why the phrase “a real pain in the neck” exists.

What many people don’t realize is that this type of discomfort actually has a medical name: cervicalgia. It simply means pain that starts in the cervical spine, or the neck region.

For some, cervicalgia feels like a dull ache at the base of the skull. For others, it can show up as stiffness that makes it hard to turn the head, or a sharp, burning sensation that moves into the shoulders. No matter how it feels, neck pain can interrupt daily routines and make even simple movements uncomfortable.

What Exactly Is Cervicalgia?

The term might sound unfamiliar, but the meaning is simple.

• “Cervical” refers to the neck region of your spine
• “Algia” means pain

So cervicalgia is just another way of saying neck pain. What makes it more than a basic label is how many different structures in the neck can contribute to the problem.

The neck may look small from the outside, but it is one of the busiest areas of the body. It contains seven vertebrae, a network of joints and discs, over a dozen muscles, and important nerves and blood vessels that all work together to support your head, which weighs roughly 10 to 12 pounds.

Because so many structures share the same space, it does not take much for something to become irritated. A tight muscle, an overworked tendon, a stiff joint, or a pinched nerve can create a ripple effect that causes soreness, stiffness, or limited range of motion. That is why cervicalgia can feel different from person to person and why it sometimes comes and goes.

Common Causes of Cervicalgia

With so many muscles, joints, and nerves working together in a small space, it is easy to see how neck pain can develop from everyday habits. While injury can certainly cause cervicalgia, many people experience discomfort from simple things they do throughout the day without even realizing it.

Here are some of the most common reasons people develop neck pain:

Muscle strain or tension
This is the number one cause of cervicalgia. Stress, long hours at a desk, looking down at a phone, or gripping your shoulders without noticing can make neck muscles tighten and fatigue. Over time, this leads to soreness, stiffness, or a feeling of pressure.

Joint or disc changes
As we age, the joints and discs in the cervical spine can experience wear and tear. Conditions like arthritis or degenerative disc disease can make certain movements uncomfortable or cause chronic aches.

Nerve compression
When a nerve in the neck becomes pinched or irritated, it can cause burning pain, tingling, numbness, or discomfort that travels into the shoulders or arms. This type of pain often feels sharp or electric.

Poor ergonomics
Working with your head pushed forward, using a laptop in your lap, or leaning over a screen for long periods puts extra stress on the neck. Even slight posture changes can overload certain muscles.

Injury or whiplash
A sudden movement from a fall, sports injury, or car accident can strain muscles or irritate the soft tissues in the neck. Symptoms may appear right away or show up days later.

Underlying conditions
Inflammation, infections, sleep position issues, or even jaw problems can contribute to cervicalgia. Sometimes the neck compensates for tension or weakness in nearby areas, which leads to discomfort.

What Your Neck Pain Location Might Be Telling You

Neck pain can show up in different places, and each area can offer a small clue about what might be going on. These are not diagnoses, but they can help you make sense of what your body is trying to tell you.

Pain at the base of your skull
This is one of the most common spots for neck discomfort. The tiny muscles that attach just under the skull work hard to keep your head balanced. Hours of looking down, leaning forward, or dealing with stress can make these muscles tighten and trigger pain at the base of the head. This area is also linked to tension headaches.

Pain mostly on one side
One-sided neck pain often comes from muscle imbalance or strain on a single side of the neck. It can happen if you sleep turned in one direction, carry bags on one shoulder, or work with your head slightly tilted. Irritation of a nerve root on that side can also create this pattern.

Pain along both sides of the neck
Pain that runs along both the right and left side of the neck can come from tight muscles, inflammation around the joints, or irritation from repeated movement. Many people notice this type of pain when turning their head or checking their blind spot while driving.

Pain in the lower part of the neck
Discomfort in the lower neck, where it meets the shoulders, often relates to posture. This area absorbs a lot of strain when the head drifts forward, such as during computer work or phone use. Muscle fatigue or joint irritation in this region can make the lower neck feel stiff, tight, or achy.

Pain that radiates into the shoulder or arm
Pain that moves downward usually involves a nerve. When a nerve in the neck becomes compressed or irritated, it can send pain into the shoulder, upper back, or arm. People often describe this as a pain that “shoots” or “burns.”

Can Neck Pain Be a Sign of Something Serious?

The good news is that most neck pain is not a sign of something dangerous. Everyday factors like posture, muscle tension, or sleep position are the most common causes. Still, there are times when neck pain deserves a closer look, especially if it comes with other symptoms.

Here are a few signs that mean you should talk with a doctor or specialist:

• Pain that lasts longer than a few weeks or keeps coming back
• Numbness, tingling, or weakness in your arms or hands
• Difficulty with balance or coordination
• Severe pain after a fall, accident, or sudden movement
• Pain paired with headaches, dizziness, or changes in vision

These symptoms can point to issues like nerve compression or, in rare cases, spinal cord involvement. Getting evaluated doesn’t necessarily mean something serious is happening. It simply helps rule out underlying problems and gives you a clearer path toward relief.

How to Relieve and Prevent Cervicalgia

Many people can ease neck pain with a few simple habits that reduce strain and support the muscles around the cervical spine. Here are a few helpful strategies you can try at home:

• Taking movement or stretch breaks throughout the day
• Adjusting your desk or screen height to improve posture
• Using heat to relax tight muscles
• Strengthening the upper back and shoulder stabilizers
• Choosing a pillow that keeps your neck in a neutral position
• Limiting long periods of looking down at phones or tablets

These small adjustments often help, but they don’t fix every type of neck pain.

When to See a Specialist

If your neck pain keeps coming back or home remedies are not helping, it is worth having it looked at. Ongoing cervicalgia usually has an underlying cause, and getting answers early can prevent small issues from turning into bigger ones. Problems like irritated joints, muscle imbalance, or nerve compression rarely sort themselves out, and waiting often leads to more discomfort.

That is where the team at Brain and Spine Specialists can help. We work with patients every day to understand what is causing their neck pain and to find treatments that bring real, lasting relief.

Schedule an Appointment