Chronic neck pain is frequently due to excessive stress, degenerative conditions, or injuries. Stress often plays a significant role in neck pain because chronically tense muscles get tired and sore. Eventually, stress can end up damaging soft tissues and nerves in your spine.

Normal wear-and-tear and the aging process are responsible for many causes of chronic neck pain, including:

  • Cervical stenosis
  • Herniated cervical discs
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Cervical degenerative disc disease
  • Vertebral compression fractures

Overwork and poor neck posture are common causes of inflammation and pain, while acute damage from auto or work accidents, falls, and sports injuries can stretch or tear connective tissues. Whiplash, a frequent cause of neck pain after rear-end collisions, involves the stretching and tearing of the muscles and tendons in your neck.