Neck Pain:

Neck Pain can be caused by sudden or repetitive strain of the Joints, Muscles or Ligaments of the Neck. This may be due to a car accident causing a sudden stretch to the soft tissues or simply sitting at a desk looking at a screen for long periods of time leading to a gradual build-up of strain as well as daily stress and tension.  

Pain in your shoulder or down your arm with pins and needles or numbness in your hand may be referred from your neck and possibly due to irritation of a nerve. The nerves that travel down your arms come from your neck or upper spine. Shoulder pain may be due to strain of the muscles or tendons of the shoulder joint or tendinitis which may lead to frozen shoulder which is when arm movement becomes difficult. Tennis elbow is due to strain of the tendons that attach just above the elbow joint and extend the wrist.

Chiropractors are trained to differentiate these problems and treat appropriately with a combination of manipulation, soft tissue massage, acupuncture and exercises

Advice about posture and lifestyle may be given to help manage the problem and prevent it recurring.

Further Reading:

The Bone and Joint Decade 2000–2010 Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders: Executive Summary

http://journals.lww.com/spinejournal/fulltext/2008/02151/the_bone_and_joint_decade_2000_2010_task_force_on.4.aspx