"A pain in the neck" is a phrase that is thrown around in everyday conversation. However, this common saying is rooted in fact. Neck pain is something that should not be taken lightly because the neck houses vertebra, spinal nerves and the spinal cord. Injury to this part of the body needs to be taken seriously.

Causes of neck pain can be age or injury. Age related neck issues are arthritis and cervical disk degeneration. While arthritis can present itself at any age, degeneration generally appears after the age of 40. Of course, injury is also a common source of neck pain. Because the neck is so flexible, it is susceptible to an injury known as whiplash.

Unfortunately, when we age, we can develop rheumatoid arthritis (a chronic inflammation of the joints) in our necks. This type of arthritis can cause acute pain and stiffness of the neck joints. It often becomes painful to turn the neck from side to side or to look up or down.

Cervical disk degeneration happens when the gel-like spacers of the disk begins to degenerate and disappear, causing the natural spaces between the disks to disappear also. When this happens, the stress that is applied to the spine is increased, causing pain with movement. This issue is generally found in people over 40 years old.

The most common neck injury is whiplash. This is when the neck is forced forward and backward (as in a rear-end automobile accident) at great speeds. When this happens, the soft tissues of the neck are stretched beyond their normal abilities. While this is not often a permanent issue, it does cause neck pain for a while, sometimes for weeks.

Some other, less common causes of neck pain can be very serious and for that reason, seeking the advice of a medical professional is always a good idea. These other possibilities could include infections, genetic issues involving the development of the neck area and even tumors. Another note of caution, if the neck pain radiates in to the arms and hands, or if the pain is accompanied by numbness and headache, a doctor should be consulted immediately as these may be signs of a more serious issue.

Depending upon the source of the neck pain, the diagnosis and the degree of the injury, the treatment will vary. If the pain is chronic and over the counter pain medication doesn't work, a doctor may prescribe a rehabilitation regimen that may include physical therapy and specific, targeted exercises.

If the neck pain is caused by whiplash, the doctor will more than likely advise a neck brace and rest, to prevent further injury. This course of treatment may be coupled with anti-inflammatory medication. If this is what is prescribed, it is important that the doctor's instructions be followed exactly, so that re-injury does not occur.

While it may seem that a neck pain is just a "pain in the neck", it is important that it be treated as the serious issue that it may actually be. If there is neck pain that persists, a visit to the doctor (even as a precaution) is always a good idea.