Millions of people around the world suffer from neck pain. The causes of neck pain are as varied as the people who suffer from it. Anything from an automobile accident to a sports injury in high school can cause a person to suffer from neck pain.

One common reason for neck pain is simply, age. Getting older is hard on our bodies, our joints and muscles in particular. As we age, the joints in our neck suffer from wear; this often results in osteoarthritis of the neck, which can be an acute source of neck pain.

Another result of aging is that the cushion that separates the disks becomes dry, stiff and brittle. This, in turn, causes the spaces between the vertebrae in your neck to narrow. The nerves in the neck often get pinched when this happens, the nerves experience irritation; in turn, causing neck pain.

If you ever been rear ended in an automobile accident, you may have been diagnosed with whiplash. Whiplash is caused when the neck and spine are forced forward and backward at a very high speed. This type of high speed motion causes an abnormal S shape that leads to damage of the soft tissues of the spine. Whiplash can cause neck pain that can vary in length from a couple of days to months.

Even something as simple as sleeping in an awkward way can cause neck pain. There are pillows that are specially designed for the way you prefer to sleep as well as ones that encourage you to sleep in an ideal position. These can help to ease this sort of neck pain over the course of several nights.

There are many over the counter remedies that are specifically for the treatment of neck pain. If these don't seem to work for you, or if you personally prefer not to take medications, there are some other options available.

Physical therapy is a very useful and popular way to help control neck pain. This treatment option is considered a conservative choice and is often a first step for most pain sufferers. Physical therapy often involves special exercises and stretches that are specifically designed for the type of pain you face. These exercises help you to, over the course of time, control or at least minimize the neck pain that you feel.

These treatment options are just the tip of the iceberg as far as managing your pain. The most important source of information is your medical team. Your doctor, physical therapist and even your pharmacist. The best advocate available to you, is you. No one is more interested in getting, and keeping, you pain free than you are.

Don't be afraid to bring any results of research you have done, questions you have or any concerns regarding your neck pain treatment to your medical team. They are there to help you understand the information that you have at your disposal and the best course of treatment for you. Take advantage of that resource.