Primary prevention

Spontaneous degenerative changes of the spine are not preventable, and they progress relentlessly with age in almost all populations studied. However, the presence or absence of degenerative changes on radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging studies does not necessarily correlate with axial neck pain.[1][3][4] Some activities may worsen axial neck pain (e.g., occupational positions, neck positions while sleeping, chronic injury from heavy lifting, and strains), although data are incomplete on these associations.

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