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Vimukthi Chandula

Stiff neck.




What is stiff neck?


  • A stiff neck is typically characterized by soreness and difficulty moving the neck, especially when trying to turn the head to the side.  It may also be accompanied by a headache, neck pain, shoulder pain and arm pain.

  • Waking up with stiff neck can be unexpected and inconvenient. It can quickly bring on a bad mood and make simple movements, like turning head.

  • Stiff neck causes to severe sharp pain in neck and reduced range of motion.

 

Causes for stiff neck.

 

  • The most common cause of a stiff neck is a muscle strain or soft tissue sprain.

  • In particular, the levator scapulae muscle is susceptible to injury. Located at the back and side of the neck, the levator scapulae muscle connects the neck’s cervical spine with the shoulder.

  • The levator scapulae muscle may be strained throughout the course of many common, everyday activities, such as:


  • ️ Sleeping in an awkward position.

  • ️ Using a pillow that does not properly support neck during rest.

  • Sudden movements of neck.

  • ️ Poor posture while using computer.

  • ️ Consistently looking down at cell phone.

  • ️ Stress and emotional tension.

  • ️ Looking overhead for an extended period of time.

  • ️ Whiplash injury.

  • ️ Sport related injury.


Several examples of cervical spine disorders that can cause neck muscles to painfully spasm or tighten include:


  • Cervical herniated disc. 

  • Cervical degenerative disc disease. 

  • Cervical osteoarthritis.

 

Symptoms of the stiff neck.

 

  • Stiffness felt in the neck and its muscles.

  • Sharp pain in the neck.

  • Reduced mobility affecting the neck’s range of motion.

  • A popping sensation in the neck when it moves a specific way.

 

How do we prevent stiff neck?


Not all neck stiffness can be prevented, but steps can be taken to reduce the chance of developing one.

  • Using correct sleep position.

  • Using a right pillow.

  • Using a correct position while work with computer.

  • Stop sleep in places that are not conductive to good sleep.

  • Exercise regularly-  Physical activity can help strengthen neck muscles.

 

Physiotherapists play a huge role in treatments of stiff neck.

 

References.

https://www.spine-health.com/conditions/neck-pain/how-treat-stiff-neck-after-sleeping

https://www.healthline.com/health/neck-pain/waking-up-with-neck-pain#bottom-line

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.spineuniverse.com/amp/50835


Shehan Akalanka.

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