Which age group gets the most neck pain?

Neck pain occurs across all age groups, but adults between 30 and 50 experience the most neck complaints due to work-related factors such as office work and stress. Young people are increasingly experiencing neck pain from smartphones and gaming, while older adults suffer from wear and tear. The causes and treatments differ by age group.

Why are young people and teenagers increasingly experiencing neck pain?

Young people between 12 and 25 years old are increasingly developing neck pain due to modern lifestyle factors. Smartphones, tablets and gaming cause them to sit hunched forward for hours with their heads tilted downward. This posture places enormous strain on the neck muscles and spine.

Schoolwork also plays an important role. Many young people sit hunched over books, laptops or tablets without ergonomic support. They often adopt unnatural postures on beds, couches or at kitchen tables that are not adjusted to their height.

Gaming worsens the problem because young people often remain sitting in the same position for hours on end. They are so concentrated that they forget to vary their posture or take breaks. This leads to tense muscles and stiffness in the neck and shoulders.

Social media use creates additional screen time on top of school and gaming activities. The well-known “text neck” develops from constantly looking down at the phone. This posture can triple the weight pressing on the neck.

What are the biggest risk factors for neck pain in adults?

Adults between 30 and 50 years old form the largest group with neck complaints. Office work is the main cause, with people sitting behind a computer for more than eight hours per day. Poor workplace ergonomics, such as a monitor that’s too low or incorrect chair height, causes chronic neck strain.

Work stress significantly increases muscle tension. When you’re stressed, neck muscles contract and remain tense. This leads to headaches, stiffness and pain that can spread to the shoulders and back.

Working from home has worsened the problem. Many people work at kitchen tables, on couches or in bed without proper support. They use laptops where the screen is too low, causing them to constantly look downward.

Sleep posture also plays a role. Wrong pillows, sleeping on the stomach or in twisted positions can cause or worsen neck pain. Many adults ignore these signals until the pain becomes chronic.

Physical inactivity makes the problem worse. Weak neck muscles cannot properly support the head, causing other muscles to become overloaded. Lack of movement causes stiffness and reduced flexibility.

How does neck pain differ between different age groups?

Neck pain has different causes and characteristics depending on your age. Children under 12 years old rarely have neck pain, unless from accidents or congenital abnormalities. Their neck muscles are still flexible and they naturally move a lot.

Teenagers and young adults (13-25 years) mainly experience acute neck pain from posture and activities. Their complaints are usually temporary and respond well to posture changes and movement. The pain is often sharp and comes on suddenly.

Adults (25-55 years) more often have chronic neck pain from prolonged strain. Their complaints develop gradually and may be accompanied by headaches, dizziness and radiating pain to the arms. Stress and work pressure worsen the symptoms.

Older adults (55+) often experience neck pain from wear and tear of joints and intervertebral discs. Their complaints are usually more constant but less intense. They also more often have additional problems such as reduced mobility and balance issues.

Recovery speed also differs by age. Young people usually recover within a few days to weeks, while older adults may need weeks to months. This is due to reduced blood circulation, slower healing and more wear and tear.

Which preventive measures work best by age?

Preventing neck pain requires an age-specific approach. For young people and teenagers, awareness of screen use is most important. Set timers for breaks every 30 minutes and hold the phone at eye level instead of constantly looking downward.

Create an ergonomic study space with a desk chair at the right height and a laptop stand. Encourage regular movement, such as sports or walking, to keep neck muscles strong and flexible.

For adults, workplace ergonomics is crucial. Ensure your computer screen is at eye level and use an external keyboard and mouse when using a laptop. Take a short break every hour to stand up and move your neck.

Stress management helps adults enormously. Try relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises or short meditations. Ensure adequate sleep and a supportive pillow that keeps your neck in a neutral position.

Older adults benefit from gentle movement exercises such as yoga or swimming. These activities keep joints supple without overloading them. Regular checks of the sleep environment and adjustments to changing needs are also important.

How Ruggensteun helps treat neck pain

We treat neck pain in all age groups with a personal approach that fits your specific situation and age. Our specialized chiropractors understand that neck pain in a teenager has different causes than in an adult or older person.

Our treatment includes:

• Comprehensive analysis of your posture, workplace and daily habits
• Gentle manual techniques to reduce tension and restore mobility
• Specific exercises tailored to your age and activity level
• Ergonomic advice for school, work or home situations
• Preventive strategies to prevent recurrence of complaints

We use modern techniques such as dry needling for persistent muscle tension and CFR for headaches related to neck problems. For acute cases we offer quickly available appointments.

Whether you’re a student with neck pain from studying, an office worker with chronic complaints or an older person with stiffness, we can help you. Contact us for an appointment or visit our practice in Eindhoven or Valkenswaard.