Why does it hurt to turn my neck?

Every time you turn your head to look at something, your neck turns, too. However, most of us don’t realize how often we turn our neck until doing so causes pain. Neck pain is a common issue — it’s estimated that more than 79% of people experience some form of neck pain every year. 

Physical therapists can help you find the source of many different types of pain. For instance, they can help you figure out why it hurts to turn your neck.

Three issues that can cause your neck to hurt when it turns

The complexity of the neck is staggering. It has muscles to move it and vertebrae to support it, and cervical discs provide cushioning between these vertebrae. There are facet joints in the neck that allow it to bend and flex. These structures and more can all be a source of neck pain, but there are three issues therapists commonly see when it hurts to turn the neck.

1. Poor posture — Looking down at your computer and phone for hours can cause you to develop poor posture. In fact, one study reports that almost 86% of its participants had poor head and neck posture. Forward head posture is an issue because it places excessive strain on the neck and this can lead to pain during normal neck movements. 

2. Pinched nerves — Many nerves branch off the spinal cord that runs through the neck vertebrae. Neck pain during movement can result when one of these nerves is pinched, and medical professionals refer to this issue as cervical radiculopathy. Studies show that about 85 in every 100,000 people will develop a pinched neck nerve every year. 

3. Whiplash — People who have recently been in a motor vehicle accident might have neck pain caused by whiplash. This condition occurs when the head whips forward and backward violently, and the violent movement can cause damage to soft tissue, neck discs and vertebrae. Research shows that whiplash affects up to 83% of people who have been in car accidents. 

Does it hurt to turn your neck? Peak Performance can help

Are you wondering who can help you figure out why it hurts when turning your neck? Our physical therapy team at Peak Performance is ready and willing to assist you. We offer free screenings that can reveal the cause of your neck pain. Our team can also help treat your pain by developing a therapy plan that’s personalized to your needs. 

Don’t wait to start getting our help with your neck pain. Contact us today for more information or to schedule a free screening.