Cervicalgiais a term used to describe pain or significant discomfortin your neck, especially at the back and/or sides.Lumbagois a similar term to cervicalgia except that it refers to pain in the low back. Cervicalgia is very common, and chronic neck pain is the fourth leading cause of disability.
Verywell / Catherine Song
Where Does Cervicalgia Occur?
Basically, cervicalgia is neck pain. The bones of the neck form the cervical spine—this is the area extending from the first spinal vertebra through the seventh. The first bone of your spine is located at about the level of your ears, and the seventh is located at the base of the neck.
Some of the most common causes of neck pain include:
Symptoms
Cervicalgia symptoms may vary depending on the underlying cause. Symptoms may include:
Cervicalgia can be pretty intense at times, but it is generally felt in the same area from which it arises. This is unlike radiating pain due to herniated disc, for example, where an impinged spinal nerve root sends shooting, electrical or similar sensations down the pathway of the nerve. This type of pain is often felt far away from the lesion, a term that refers to the location of the issue or problem that instigates the pain. That said, neck pain you may experience due to a herniated disc whether solely or in addition to radiating symptoms, may be called cervicalgia.
Can You Get a Diagnosis of Cervicalgia?
Cervicalgia is a bit of a catch-all term. Its definition, according to the National Institutes of Health, is an alternative name for neck pain,neck stiffnessand/orwhiplash.
The ICD-10, which is the coding system most healthcare providers and therapists use to bill insurance, does not give direct causes for cervicalgia—with the exception of disc disorder of the cervical spine. When discs are at the root of your cervicalgia, the IDC-10 code is M50. When the cause is not stated the code is M54.2. TheICD-10 codingfor cervicalgia indicates that it can be either chronic or acute.
A 2011 study published in thePhysical Medicine Rehabilitation Clinics of North Americafound that while it’s generally difficult to pinpoint the structural cause of cervicalgia, doing so may help guide your treatment choices.The authors point out that the medical history you share with your healthcare provider, particularly so-calledred flagsor yellow flag symptoms, can help the provider recognize the more serious causes of neck pain.
It’s a good idea to be thorough and accurate about your symptoms when speaking with your health provider.
After an in-depth medical interview and history is completed, a thorough physical exam is key to differential diagnosis when it comes to identifying a specific cause of cervicalgia, which will in turn guide specific treatment.
Treatment
Cervicalgia, is, as mentioned above, a bit of a catch-all phrase for many types of neck pain. To that end, treatments may vary widely, and according to the exact cause.
If symptoms keep bothering you, especially if they last longer than a week, or if they seriously disrupt your regular routine, it’s important to speak with your healthcare provider as soon as you can.
Treatment for cervicalgia generally consists of:
And don’t discount the role that holistic therapies might play in the healing of your neck pain. Acupuncture, massage therapy, gentle yoga and Pilates, chiropractic care, and Tai Chi have helped many people manage cervicalgia.In fact, a 2017 study published in the journalSpine, found that neck pain got better in people who developed postural awareness from doing Tai Chi.
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn MoreWhat to Expect From Cervical Radiculopathy Physical Therapy
Lumbago refers to pain felt in the lumbar area of the back, or the lower back.
One study found that people with chronic neck pain often showed signs of anxiety and depression, but this doesn’t mean anxiety is the direct reason for it. Neck pain can originate or worsen due to a number of different causes.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Kazeminasab S, Nejadghaderi SA, et al.Neck pain: global epidemiology, trends and risk factors.BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2022;23(1):26. doi:10.1186/s12891-021-04957-4Popescu A, Lee H.Neck pain and lower back pain.Med Clin North Am. 2020;104(2):279-292. doi:10.1016/j.mcna.2019.11.003Johns Hopkins.Back and neck pain.Zeigelboim BS, Fonseca VR, Mesti JC, Gorski LP, Faryniuk JH, Marques JM.Neurotological Findings at a Health Unit for Adults with Cervicalgia.Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2016;20(2):109-13. doi:10.1055/s-0036-1572563Alexander EP.History, physical examination, and differential diagnosis of neck pain.Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2011;22(3):383-93. doi:10.1016/j.pmr.2011.02.005Neck pain or spasms - self care. US National Library of Medicine. January 2020.Lauche R, Wayne PM, Fehr J, Stumpe C, Dobos G, Cramer H.Does Postural Awareness Contribute to Exercise-Induced Improvements in Neck Pain Intensity? A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating Tai Chi and Neck Exercises.Spine. 2017;42(16):1195-1200. doi:10.1097/BRS.0000000000002078Elbinoune I, Amine B, Shyen S, Gueddari S, Abouqal R, Hajjaj-Hassouni N.Chronic neck pain and anxiety-depression: prevalence and associated risk factors.Pan Afr Med J. 2016;24:89. doi: 10.11604/pamj.2016.24.89.8831Additional ReadingNeck pain.MedlinePlus. U.S. National Library of Medicine website. Jan 2018.Alexander, E.History, physical examination, and differential diagnosis of neck pain. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2011 Aug.Zeigelboim, B. et. al., NeurotologicalFindings at a Health Unit for Adults with Cervicalgia.Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol. April 2016. doi: 10.1055/s-0036-1572563.ICD 10 Data. Cervicalgia. 2015/16 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis CodeM54.2. ICD10Data.com.Lauche, R., et. al.,Does Postural Awareness Contribute to Exercise-Induced Improvements in Neck Pain Intensity? A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating Tai Chi and Neck ExercisesSpine. Jan 2017.Szasz, S., et. al.,The Correlation between Chronic Cervicalgia and Anxiety and Depression Disorders.Academica Science Journal. Psychologica Series. No. 1. 2012.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Kazeminasab S, Nejadghaderi SA, et al.Neck pain: global epidemiology, trends and risk factors.BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2022;23(1):26. doi:10.1186/s12891-021-04957-4Popescu A, Lee H.Neck pain and lower back pain.Med Clin North Am. 2020;104(2):279-292. doi:10.1016/j.mcna.2019.11.003Johns Hopkins.Back and neck pain.Zeigelboim BS, Fonseca VR, Mesti JC, Gorski LP, Faryniuk JH, Marques JM.Neurotological Findings at a Health Unit for Adults with Cervicalgia.Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2016;20(2):109-13. doi:10.1055/s-0036-1572563Alexander EP.History, physical examination, and differential diagnosis of neck pain.Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2011;22(3):383-93. doi:10.1016/j.pmr.2011.02.005Neck pain or spasms - self care. US National Library of Medicine. January 2020.Lauche R, Wayne PM, Fehr J, Stumpe C, Dobos G, Cramer H.Does Postural Awareness Contribute to Exercise-Induced Improvements in Neck Pain Intensity? A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating Tai Chi and Neck Exercises.Spine. 2017;42(16):1195-1200. doi:10.1097/BRS.0000000000002078Elbinoune I, Amine B, Shyen S, Gueddari S, Abouqal R, Hajjaj-Hassouni N.Chronic neck pain and anxiety-depression: prevalence and associated risk factors.Pan Afr Med J. 2016;24:89. doi: 10.11604/pamj.2016.24.89.8831Additional ReadingNeck pain.MedlinePlus. U.S. National Library of Medicine website. Jan 2018.Alexander, E.History, physical examination, and differential diagnosis of neck pain. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2011 Aug.Zeigelboim, B. et. al., NeurotologicalFindings at a Health Unit for Adults with Cervicalgia.Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol. April 2016. doi: 10.1055/s-0036-1572563.ICD 10 Data. Cervicalgia. 2015/16 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis CodeM54.2. ICD10Data.com.Lauche, R., et. al.,Does Postural Awareness Contribute to Exercise-Induced Improvements in Neck Pain Intensity? A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating Tai Chi and Neck ExercisesSpine. Jan 2017.Szasz, S., et. al.,The Correlation between Chronic Cervicalgia and Anxiety and Depression Disorders.Academica Science Journal. Psychologica Series. No. 1. 2012.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Kazeminasab S, Nejadghaderi SA, et al.Neck pain: global epidemiology, trends and risk factors.BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2022;23(1):26. doi:10.1186/s12891-021-04957-4Popescu A, Lee H.Neck pain and lower back pain.Med Clin North Am. 2020;104(2):279-292. doi:10.1016/j.mcna.2019.11.003Johns Hopkins.Back and neck pain.Zeigelboim BS, Fonseca VR, Mesti JC, Gorski LP, Faryniuk JH, Marques JM.Neurotological Findings at a Health Unit for Adults with Cervicalgia.Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2016;20(2):109-13. doi:10.1055/s-0036-1572563Alexander EP.History, physical examination, and differential diagnosis of neck pain.Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2011;22(3):383-93. doi:10.1016/j.pmr.2011.02.005Neck pain or spasms - self care. US National Library of Medicine. January 2020.Lauche R, Wayne PM, Fehr J, Stumpe C, Dobos G, Cramer H.Does Postural Awareness Contribute to Exercise-Induced Improvements in Neck Pain Intensity? A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating Tai Chi and Neck Exercises.Spine. 2017;42(16):1195-1200. doi:10.1097/BRS.0000000000002078Elbinoune I, Amine B, Shyen S, Gueddari S, Abouqal R, Hajjaj-Hassouni N.Chronic neck pain and anxiety-depression: prevalence and associated risk factors.Pan Afr Med J. 2016;24:89. doi: 10.11604/pamj.2016.24.89.8831
Kazeminasab S, Nejadghaderi SA, et al.Neck pain: global epidemiology, trends and risk factors.BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2022;23(1):26. doi:10.1186/s12891-021-04957-4
Popescu A, Lee H.Neck pain and lower back pain.Med Clin North Am. 2020;104(2):279-292. doi:10.1016/j.mcna.2019.11.003
Johns Hopkins.Back and neck pain.
Zeigelboim BS, Fonseca VR, Mesti JC, Gorski LP, Faryniuk JH, Marques JM.Neurotological Findings at a Health Unit for Adults with Cervicalgia.Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2016;20(2):109-13. doi:10.1055/s-0036-1572563
Alexander EP.History, physical examination, and differential diagnosis of neck pain.Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2011;22(3):383-93. doi:10.1016/j.pmr.2011.02.005
Neck pain or spasms - self care. US National Library of Medicine. January 2020.
Lauche R, Wayne PM, Fehr J, Stumpe C, Dobos G, Cramer H.Does Postural Awareness Contribute to Exercise-Induced Improvements in Neck Pain Intensity? A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating Tai Chi and Neck Exercises.Spine. 2017;42(16):1195-1200. doi:10.1097/BRS.0000000000002078
Elbinoune I, Amine B, Shyen S, Gueddari S, Abouqal R, Hajjaj-Hassouni N.Chronic neck pain and anxiety-depression: prevalence and associated risk factors.Pan Afr Med J. 2016;24:89. doi: 10.11604/pamj.2016.24.89.8831
Neck pain.MedlinePlus. U.S. National Library of Medicine website. Jan 2018.Alexander, E.History, physical examination, and differential diagnosis of neck pain. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2011 Aug.Zeigelboim, B. et. al., NeurotologicalFindings at a Health Unit for Adults with Cervicalgia.Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol. April 2016. doi: 10.1055/s-0036-1572563.ICD 10 Data. Cervicalgia. 2015/16 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis CodeM54.2. ICD10Data.com.Lauche, R., et. al.,Does Postural Awareness Contribute to Exercise-Induced Improvements in Neck Pain Intensity? A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating Tai Chi and Neck ExercisesSpine. Jan 2017.Szasz, S., et. al.,The Correlation between Chronic Cervicalgia and Anxiety and Depression Disorders.Academica Science Journal. Psychologica Series. No. 1. 2012.
Alexander, E.History, physical examination, and differential diagnosis of neck pain. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2011 Aug.
Zeigelboim, B. et. al., NeurotologicalFindings at a Health Unit for Adults with Cervicalgia.Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol. April 2016. doi: 10.1055/s-0036-1572563.
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