Have you ever woken up to a stiff neck or found throughout the day that your cervical range of motion was inhibited? If so, you’re not alone. Neck stiffness is a fairly common condition that affects older and younger adults alike. But what causes neck stiffness, and what are the best ways to treat and prevent it? We answer all those questions and more in today’s blog.
What Causes A Stiff Neck?
Your neck is home to a number of different muscles, ligaments, tendons and bones, and they all work together to facilitate movement. If a problem develops with one of these areas, movement can become difficult or even painful. Here’s a look at some of the most common causes of neck stiffness:
- Muscle strain
- Muscle overuse
- Muscle tension
- Arthritis
- Cervical vertebral injury
- Damaged ligaments or tendons
While those are the underlying mechanisms of injury, let’s explain some of the more common actions that can cause those problems and in turn lead to the onset of neck stiffness. Actions that put undue strain on your neck muscles and soft tissues can lead to a stiff neck. Actions like sleeping in an awkward position, sitting or slouching for long periods, constantly craning forward to look at your computer or mobile phone or suffering trauma that sends your head violently forward or backwards (whiplash) can all lead to neck stiffness. It’s also worth noting that stress can manifest in the physical form of muscle tension, which can also limit range of motion in the neck.
Treating A Stiff Neck
In order to treat your neck stiffness, you first must understand what’s causing your stiffness in the first place. If you think you just slept on it wrong or had poor posture at work, you may be able to get by with conservative care techniques for a muscle strain. However, if you can’t really figure out why your neck is stiff, consider getting an evaluation from a spine specialist. That way you’ll know exactly what’s going on and how to best treat it.
Dr. Sinicropi begins his cervical spinal exams by asking about your symptoms, looking at your medical history and conducting a physical exam. He may also ask you to perform some range of motion exercises in order to see which movements cause relief or discomfort. If he suspects vertebral damage in the event of severe trauma, he may request an imaging exam like an x-ray or MRI, however he’ll likely have a good idea of what’s causing your discomfort before ordering any imaging exams.
Specific treatment will depend on your exact diagnosis, but for many individuals dealing with pain from strains, sprains or soft tissue damage, conservative care will work wonders. Treatments like rest, ice or heat therapy, over the counter anti-inflammatory medications and gentle stretching exercises all help to relax the injured tissues and work on helping the area heal.
Those treatment options will help your injury, but your doctor will also want to talk with you about long-term adjustments to your daily routine if your pain was not caused by an acute injury. Making sure you have a healthy sleeping environment and practicing postural awareness when you’re driving or using electronics will all help to decrease muscle stress and tension in the area, which should help prevent recurrences of stiffness.
For more information about neck stiffness or getting treatment for your cervical spinal issue, contact Dr. Sinicropi’s office today.
