Stiff Neck - Cause And Relief!

Have you ever woke up to a stiff neck before? That uncomfortable and tight feeling that makes movement almost impossible and causing you a lot of discomfort throughout the entire day. Stiff neck are frequently experienced by many and it will usually go away by itself after a few days. You may rest assure that stiff neck is not an indication of any serious problems with your neck. So what are some of the causes of stiff neck and what measures can you take to relief it?

Causes:

Injury

Injuries are one of the most common reasons that one will experience stiff neck. A sudden jerking movement at the neck region can injure the muscles and ligaments, causing injury and subsequent pain and stiffness. Injuries can be caused by sports, accidental falls or even a car accident.

Stress

Our body response to stress is the natural tensing of our muscles. If you did not suffer any injuries recently and is experiencing stiff neck, it could be an indication that you are under tremendous stress. It's time to take things easy and relax.

Muscle spasm

Muscle spasm are due to the signalling of certain messages from our nerves to the muscles which will result in them involuntary contracting, causing stiff neck.

Improper sleeping posture

Improper sleeping posture is probably the most common reason for stiff neck. Our body is in a relaxed state when we are asleep and an improper sleeping posture can cause the pulling of the neck muscles without us being aware of it. Only when we finally wake up do we realise it and it is often too late.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that targets the joints, especially those in the neck. It will result in neck pain and stiffness.

Meningitis

Meningitis is a very serious inflection of the fluid that surrounds our brain and spinal cord and if you suffer from neck pain and stiffness and they are not caused by the factors listed above, you should consult a doctor immediately as a stiff neck is a common symptom of meningitis.

Treatment:

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Common non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and paracetamol can help to relief the pain associated with neck stiffness.

Ice or Heat pack

Using either an ice pack or a heat pack can help to relief the pain. Ice pack will help to bring down the swelling and reduce inflammation while a heat pack will help to expand the muscles, allowing them to relax and reduce the stiffness, bringing relief to you.

Proper neck support pillow

A proper neck support pillow is slightly more expensive compared to normal ones but they ensure that your neck is properly rested and aligned when you sleep, reducing the chances of you suffering from stiff neck due to improper posture.

Above are some of the common causes of neck pain and stiffness and some ways that can help to relief them. Neck pain and stiffness will cause us a lot of discomfort and make us look funny in front of others so take care of it.