Nape

As the neck ( anat.: Nucha ) of the rear part of the neck is designated. He is responsible for the mobility of the head and much of the upper body.

For neck are anatomically inter alia, the cervical spine and their connection to the back of the head ( neck ), a large number of different muscles and receptors on the surface and deep sensibility.

Neck pain

The complex anatomical structures of the head and neck muscles, the spine and nerve roots make the area of ​​the neck susceptible to a variety of somatic and functional disturbances in acute or chronic pain in the neck region, often radiating to the shoulder and arm or the back of the head, become noticeable. Neck pain are the most common reasons for consultation with the family doctor. Around 9.5 % of men and 13.5 % of women were affected mid-1990s, according to a study of chronic neck pain.

Dizziness, headache, and sensory disturbances - from hyperaesthesia over paresthesias to Asensibilität - can be added at appropriate reason.

Organic causes of neck pain

• Trauma, " whiplash ", muscle and ligament strains, vertebral fractures and dislocations
• Degenerative diseases of the spine: spondylarthrosis, possibly with radicular syndrome or cervikalem herniated disc with or without spinal stenosis, ankylosing spondylitis
• Internal diseases: infectious diseases such as meningitis, rabies, tetanus

Functional causes of neck pain

• Muscular imbalances through monotonous, unphysiological posture, for example, on a workstation or in the Production Line, by working in awkward postures such as overhead work ( motor mechanic ), by working in a spatially confined area ( underground miners ) or by unilateral overload the muscles, for example, works with heavy hard hat, or the action of strong G- forces ( combat aircraft pilots ).
• Repetitive strain injury syndrome, the so-called secretaries disease
• Torticollis
• Somatization of mental disorders and illnesses such as burnout, stress, depression and neurosis.