The cervical spine consists of the top 7 vertebrae of the spine. Doctors often refer to these vertebrae as C1 - C7, with the "C" indicating cervical, and the numbers 1-7 indicating the level of the vertebrae. C1 is closest to the skull, while C7 is closest to the thoracic (chestrib cage) region of the spine.
The cervical spine is particularly susceptible to degenerative problems because of:
• its large range of motion
• Somewhat complex anatomy.
Symptoms
Symptoms include, neck pain, pain around the back of the shoulder blades, arm complaints (pain, numbness or weakness), and rarely, difficulty with hand dexterity or walking. Symptoms are commonly described as a soreness or stiffness of the neck, which may or may not be associated with a minor injury. Patients often attribute this to a "cold wind" or "sleeping wrong" that may or may not be a factor. Muscle strains tend to improve within a week or so. However, if the pain persists longer, call your doctor, as it may be another condition that needs medical treatment.
Cervical disk herniations are more characteristic in the young (less than forty-years old), while cervical spondylosis(degeneration) and stenosis are typically found in older patients. The degenerative process may begin in any of the joints in the cervical spine, and over time it may also cause secondary changes in the other joints

The cervical spine consists of the top 7 vertebrae of the spine. Doctors often refer to these vertebrae as C1 - C7, with the "C" indicating cervical, and the numbers 1-7 indicating the level of the vertebrae. C1 is closest to the skull, while C7 is closest to the thoracic (chestrib cage) region of the spine.
The cervical spine is particularly susceptible to degenerative problems because of:
• its large range of motion
• Somewhat complex anatomy.
Symptoms
Symptoms include, neck pain, pain around the back of the shoulder blades, arm complaints (pain, numbness or weakness), and rarely, difficulty with hand dexterity or walking. Symptoms are commonly described as a soreness or stiffness of the neck, which may or may not be associated with a minor injury. Patients often attribute this to a "cold wind" or "sleeping wrong" that may or may not be a factor. Muscle strains tend to improve within a week or so. However, if the pain persists longer, call your doctor, as it may be another condition that needs medical treatment.
Cervical disk herniations are more characteristic in the young (less than forty-years old), while cervical spondylosis(degeneration) and stenosis are typically found in older patients. The degenerative process may begin in any of the joints in the cervical spine, and over time it may also cause secondary changes in the other joints