What is a stiff neck?
Sometimes, neck stiffness causes pain. Starting a day with a stiff neck is annoying and uncomfortable. A stiff neck is a common problem that affects about 10% of the population at any given time. There can be many reasons for neck pain that require immediate attention and neck pain treatment to avoid severity.
A stiff neck in the morning can be described as a muscle spasm or contraction that affects the ligaments or tough tissues that connect and stabilize your bone.
Neck pain is usually not an emergency, but if the pain persists for a prolonged period, talk to your healthcare provider to find the root cause.
Symptoms of stiff neck
Common Signs of a Stiff Neck are:
- Limited range of motion
- Muscle tightness or stiffness of muscles around the neck
- Neck pain and discomfort
- Headaches due to muscle tension
- Tenderness or pain when pressure is applied to the neck muscles
- Tingling or numbness around the neck, arms, or shoulders
What causes a stiff neck?
Neck stiffness can be caused by overuse of neck muscles. When the neck muscles are stretched too far or strained, the person experiences pain, which may range from mild to severe. They also experience difficulty with head movement or feel pain when using the neck muscles too much.
Some of the common causes of stiff necks include:
- Minor sprains and strains
- Whiplash
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Cervical spondylosis
- Diseases like cancer and meningitis
- Have bone spurs
- Nerve compression
Natural ways to prevent stiff neck
Generally, neck pain may be the result of a combination of bad posture, injury, or general wear and tear as you age. By making some simple adjustments to your lifestyle, you can avoid neck stiffness. Let us understand the general ways that help avoid neck stiffness and are useful in neck pain treatment.
Maintain Proper Posture
Watch your posture while sitting or standing. Your shoulders, ears, and hips should be in a straight line. Maintain a proper posture while walking, sitting, or standing.
Arrange Desk Furniture Ergonomically
If you have a sitting job, keep your computer at eye level. Keep a comfortable chair that can be adjusted according to your requirements. When you sit, your knees should fall below your hips.
Use Headphones or speakers
People who usually hold their phone between the head and shoulder or keep their head down for texting for too long experience neck pain due to muscle spasms. If you use mobile phones frequently, prefer using headphones or speakerphones to avoid muscle spasms.
Take Regular Breaks
Whether working or driving, sitting for a prolonged period can take a toll on your body. Get up every hour to take frequent breaks, move around, and do some light strengthening to avoid stiffness.
Switch Shoulders
While carrying heavy bags, avoid putting all the heavyweights on one shoulder. Keep distributing the weights to avoid neck pain and discomfort.
In conclusion, various reasons can contribute to neck pain. If the pain lasts for more than a week, consult the experts at renowned healthcare centers, including ANSSI Wellness, for assistance with non-surgical neck pain treatment.
Never ignore your body’s signals and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
