There are many causes for neck and arm pain. It is essential to find the main source of pain. Cervical vertebras, disks, neck muscles, compression of the nerves and spinal cord can be the source of “pain”.

Bad posture and misuse of neck: Any wrong movement or bad posture in the daily life that does not comply with the mechanics of the low back will cause wear and tear in the vertebras, joints and connective tissue. Disappearance of the natural curve in the neck is the most important finding of disuse of the neck.

Injury of the Neck:
Injuries can happen in disks, bones, ligaments and joints if the neck is stressed to greater levels that the normal movement of the neck allows it. Increasingly worsening neck and arm pain can be seen after being involved in traffic accidents when inside a vehicle because of the excessive movement and stressing of the neck. This is called the Whiplash Syndrome. Pain and instability can be seen in such cases in the later periods related to the over-motility cervical vertebras.

Sore neck, muscle spasm:
This generally occurs with the over-extension of the muscles supporting the neck. Lifting heavy objects, excessive sportive or working activities, or working at desk with wrong position can cause muscle spasms. In addition, falling asleep in wrong position, high pillows and bad traveling conditions can also cause sore neck. Spasms and sore neck can mostly be cured with simple treatments. In the long-term neck pain also called as "Myofascial pain, Fibromyalgia , Fibrosite and Myosite, there are points triggering the pain and nodes that can also be palpated. Persistent tilting of the neck is called torticollis. Congenital causes like Klippel-Feil or Turner Syndromes must be investigated well.

Disk Herniation
This is the slipping or coming out onto the spinal cord and the nerves going to the arm of the jelly-like cartilaginous tissue that functions as a cushion between two cervical vertebras. Neck and arm pain, loss of strength of arm muscles, sensory defects in hands, numbness or clumsiness can be seen according to the size and effectiveness of the head. If there is compression on the spinal cord, then weakness of lower extremities and complaints related to urination can also be seen. The treatment is surgical if complaints persist despite conservative treatment and if there is severe compression on the cord or nerves.

Degeneration of the disk, calcification:
With the advancing age, wear and tear starts in the bony structures, ligaments and disks. The disk becomes felt-like, looses its strength and absorbing characteristics and shrinks. Calcium content of the bone diminishes. Body calcifies these worn tissues as a natural response. The new small bones formed, ligaments stoned and narrowed disk spaces compress the nerves and cause pain in the back, low back, and body in general. Numbness and weakness can occur in hands and feet because of compression of the spinal cord. It must be treated by all means.

Tension, Stress, Smoking:
This is the most important reason that increases the neck pain and causes it to become chronic. Your economic, social and psychological problems will increase your low back pain. Continuous tension and painful points can be found in the neck. Laughing, working, social activities and holding to life are our most important weapons against low back pain.

Narrowing of the Spinal Canal (Cervical Narrow Canal – Stenosis of the Spine, Cervical Spondylitic Myelopathy):
Numbness, weakness and clumsiness, difficulties of walking and sensory defects in hands and feet can be seen particularly in advanced ages. It has its course with the narrowing of the canals that the cord and/or nerves pass through and deterioration of the feeding of the cord. Detection of the disease in the early stages and early treatment are required. Surgical interventions in the early stages can prevent permanent damaging that might be seen in the spinal cord. 

Rheumatoid Diseases:
These diseases develop as a consequence of fight of the immune system of the body against the cells of the body of its own. Normal bones and cartilages of the spine become damaged. Diseases like Rheumatoid Arthritis and Ancylosing Spondylitis cause pain and swelling in the joints and restricts daily motions. Morning joint stiffness and difficulties of movement lasting for more than half an hour is typical for rheumatoid diseases.

Osteoporosis:
Osteoporosis is a women’s disease in general. It causes weakness and softening in bones, and fractures to occur readily and therefore pain. Lack of calcium and vitamin D in the diet, sedentary life, early menopause, alcohol intake in excessive amounts, smoking and corticosteroids increase the risk of osteoporosis.

Vertebral fractures, dislocation of vertebras:
Vertebras are rather solid normally. Sometimes fissures of complete fractures can occur because of accidents or other reasons. Cervical vertebras can dislocate and damage the cord with the impact of the trauma. Severe cord or nerve interruptions can be seen. Fixing neck with a collar is life-saving after accidents.

Tramping (compression) of arm and hand nerves:
Nerves originating from the cord in the cervical region can be tramped by the connective tissue during this course. Here, compression causes weakness, numbness and pain in hands and arms. Numbness seen particularly in the first three fingers of the hand during nighttime is typical for “Carpal Tunnel Syndrome”. In patients with such pain and numbness differential diagnosis with EMR is essential. The compression must be removed surgically in patients that no response can be obtained with conservative treatment.

Other causes:
Neck tumors, spinal cord tumors, “Syringomyelitis” causing fissures in the spinal cord, bone infections (tuberculosis, brucellosis) can also be the causes of neck and arm pain. Pain originating from shoulder joint (Bursitis, Capsulitis, and Tendinitis) can also mimic neck and arm pain. Diseases of the esophagus, trachea, and lungs are also rare causes of neck pain.