what is neck pain caused by
When the neck is the likely culprit. Inflammation of any of the 14 nerves or eight pairs of joints in the neck can cause neck pain. The joints â or vertebrae â serve as a hinge that lets us nod or shake our heads during conversation (no wonder they wear out).
The most common cause of shoulder pain and neck pain is injury to the soft tissues, including the muscles, tendons, and ligaments within these structures. This can occur from whiplash or other injury to these areas.
1 These bursae can become swollen, stiff, and painful after injuries. 2  Heart attacks: Although the problem is the heart, heart attacks can cause shoulder or neck pain, known as referred pain.  Broken shoulder blade: An injury to the shoulder blade usually is associated with relatively forceful trauma.