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Neck Pain

Woman with Neck Pain Neck pain is very common. It is estimated that by middle age, between 30% to 50% of people will have an episode of neck pain within a one year period. At any given time, between 1.7% and 11.5% of people report that their usual activities are limited due to neck pain. Neck pain is more prevalent among women and in middle age. Risk factors for neck pain include genetics, poor psychological health, and exposure to tobacco. Contrary to popular opinion, disc degeneration was not identified as a risk factor.

Evidence-based Overviews

Link	Sponsor Organization
Back and Neck Pain	American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
How Can I Prevent Whiplash?	Whiplash Prevention Campaign
Modifiable worker risk factors contributing to workplace absence: a stakeholder-centred best-evidence synthesis of systematic reviews	Work Wellness and Disability Prevention Institute
Modifiable workplace risk factors contributing to workplace absence across health conditions: A stakeholder-centered best-evidence synthesis of systematic reviews	Work Wellness and Disability Prevention Institute
Neck Injuries and Disorders	Medline Plus
Neck Pain	American College of Rheumatology
Neck Pain and Stiff Neck	National Health Services (NHS) (UK)
Neck Pain Information	University of Michigan Health System
Neck Pain Overview	Arthritis Research UK
Physical Activity and Exercise Interventions in the Workplace Impacting Work Outcomes: A Stakeholder-Centered Best Evidence Synthesis of Systematic Reviews	Work Wellness and Disability Prevention Institute
Understanding Neck Pain	Work Wellness and Disability Prevention Institute

Prevention

There is strong evidence that some kinds of neck pain can be prevented. Recent research has shown that whiplash injuries arising from motor vehicle collisions can be reduced by up to 35% if people were in cars with GOOD rated head restraints and adjusted them appropriately. You can find more information about cars with GOOD head restraints, adjusting your head restraint and more through our Whiplash Prevention Campaign.

Whiplash Associated Disorder – Whiplash-associated disorders most often occurs as a result of rear end or side impact vehicle collisions. However it can also be caused by sports injuries involving being hit from the side or behind (skiing, contact sports, skating, etc.).

Postural or Stress-related Neck Pain – Neck pain arising from postural or stress may be reduced through improving ergonomics, stress management, changes in work culture, general fitness and neck exercises. Research into primary neck pain reduction has found that it is very difficult reduce the incidence of neck pain in the workplace, although, general fitness and exercise can have an impact on reducing pain, pain-related suffering and disability. More information and resources on ergonomic improvements in our Ergonomics section below.

Resources

Link	Sponsor Organization
Whiplash Prevention Site	Work Wellness and Disability Prevention Institute

Associated Conditions

Headaches

Headaches are a common complaint for people with neck pain.

Headache Overview and Treatment Options - WWDPI
Headache, Migraine, and Chronic Pain - WWDPI Webinar
Medline Plus - Headache Overview

Depression

People with chronic neck pain are at a higher risk of experiencing depression. Depression and pain can produce a vicious cycle where one feeds into the other resulting in higher pain levels and more depression. Visit our mental health resources to take a more active approach to living well with depression.

Depression – Canadian Mental Health Association
What is Depression? – Mood Disorders Society of Canada
Depression Fact Sheet – Here to Help Canada
Depression Treatments – Canadian Mental Health Association

Low Back Pain

People with neck pain often have correlated pain in their lower back. Our Back Pain section has resources for dealing with back pain.

Related WWDPI Webinars

Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders: The Need for Change
Work place risk management of musculoskeletal disorders need to change. A substantial evidence base supports the role of psychosocial and physical hazards in the development of MSDs but this has not translated into practice.
Is Office Ergonomics a Pain?
Ergonomist Dr. Geoff Wright will describe how seemingly small “mismatches” between the person, their computer accessories and their workstation can cause musculoskeletal discomfort and pain.
Headache, Migraine, and Chronic Pain
Migraine is the most common headache in the general population. Watch this webinar to learn about research has led to a better understanding of migraine and its treatment.
I have neck pain: what are my options?
Learn about the current understanding of neck pain and what treatment options are available.

Ergonomics / Physical Activity

The resources below provide some tools for evaluating and improving ergonomics for a work station. However ergonomics alone will not address the serious consequences of prolonged sitting.

There is a growing body of research indicating that prolonged sitting not only increases work stress, but also has other health consequences. Extensive sitting is also associated with a higher risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer and death.

For example, sitting for more than one hour has been shown to induce biochemical changes in lipase activity (an enzyme involved in fat metabolism) and in glucose metabolism, that leads to the deposit of fats in adipose tissue rather than these being metabolized by muscle. A recent study suggests an association between sitting time (number of hours sitting at work per day) and neck-shoulder pain. Current research recommends that workers who are sedentary most of the day stand up and move around for short stretch break every 20 minutes. Having multiple short breaks reduces the consequences of prolonged sitting.

To assist with issues such as work-station neck pain, institutes such as the Cornell University Ergonomics lab have been experimenting with both standing and sitting computer work stations, and have been exploring combining sitting and standing workstations at work. Many organizations have been installing combination sitting and standing workstations. However there is not sufficient research to quantify their impact on productivity or utilization over a longer period of time.