脊柱的自发性退行性变是不可预防的,在几乎所有的研究人群中随年龄增长而持续进展。然而,放射影像学以及 MRI 是否显示有退行性变并不一定与轴性颈椎痛有关。[1]Matsumoto M, Fujimura Y, Suzuki N, et al. MRI of cervical intervertebral discs in asymptomatic subjects. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1998;80:19-24.http://www.bjj.boneandjoint.org.uk/content/80-B/1/19.full.pdf+htmlhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9460946?tool=bestpractice.com[3]Braga-Baiak A, Shah A, Pietrobon R, et al. Intra- and inter-observer reliability of MRI examination of intervertebral disc abnormalities in patients with cervical myelopathy. Eur J Radiol. 2008;65:91-98.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17532165?tool=bestpractice.com[4]Siivola SM, Levoska S, Tervonen O, et al. MRI changes of cervical spine in asymptomatic and symptomatic young adults. Eur Spine J. 2002;11:358-363.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12193998?tool=bestpractice.com 某些姿势、运动可能加重轴性颈椎痛(例如职业姿势、睡眠时颈部姿势、举重引起的慢性损伤以及扭伤),但是关于这种关联的数据不完整。