Stiff Neck - Causes, Symptoms, and Remedies

Introduction

A stiff neck usually causes soreness and difficulty moving the neck. The pain is especially evident when turning the head to the side. It may also be accompanied by headaches and neck, shoulder, or arm pain. The individual may need to turn the entire body instead of the neck to look to their side or over their shoulder. In most cases, the pain and stiffness subside within a week. However, the initial management and care for the stiff neck symptoms can affect pain levels, recovery time, and the possibility of recurrence.

What Are the Common Causes of Stiff Neck?

A stiff neck is usually caused by a muscle strain or soft tissue sprain, especially in the levator scapulae muscle. It is highly susceptible to injury. The muscle connects the cervical spine with the shoulder and is located on the back of the neck. It is controlled by the third and fourth cervical nerves (C3, C4).

The common causes of muscle strain are as follows;

• Awkward sleeping posture.

• A sudden force that causes the head to be pushed to the side, such as falling.

• An activity that needs the head to be constantly moved from side to side, like swimming.

• Poor posture while viewing a computer screen or looking downward at a mobile phone for prolonged periods.

• Excessive stress or anxiety leads to tension in the neck.

• Abnormal position of the neck for an extended period, such as phone bracing.

The reason behind a stiff neck may be evident if symptoms start right away, such as after falling during a sporting event. However, if a stiff neck seems to develop out of nowhere, it could be challenging to determine the cause behind it.

What Are the Uncommon Causes Behind a Stiff Neck?

Neck stiffness may also be a reaction to an underlying disorder of the cervical spine, which helps support and move the neck and protect the spinal cord. Cervical spine disorders lead to spasms of the neck muscle or painful tightening of the neck, as seen in the following cases;

• Cervical Disc Herniation: The protective outer portion of a disc in the cervical spine breaks down, and the inner part leaks out. This results in nerve compression and inflammation in the adjacent tissue.

• Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease: It occurs due to an increase in pressure on nearby joints, nerves, soft tissues, ligaments, and muscles. As a result of reduced hydration leading to a painful and stiff neck.

• Cervical Osteoarthritis: When the cervical facet joints between vertebral bones break down due to arthritic breakdown, it often occurs alongside spinal stenosis (a narrow space around the spinal cord) and anatomical changes like bone spurs, resulting in a stiff neck.

How Does a Stiff Neck Feel?

A stiff neck varies in intensity. It may range from an annoying discomfort to excruciating pain. When attempting to turn the stiff neck to particular side results in such intense pain that the motion must be ceased. The amount of restriction in neck motion can affect an individual's levels of activity. For instance, if the head cannot be significantly turned in one direction without extreme pain, a menial task such as driving will likely need to be avoided until symptoms improve.

When Is a Stiff Neck Serious?

The indications when a stiff neck is serious are described below:

• Severe or persistent neck pain.

• High fever.

• Neurological symptoms, such as seizures and drowsiness.

• Severe headache.

• Nausea and vomiting.

• Sensitivity to light.

• Recent neck or head injury.

• Weakness or numbness in the arms and legs.

How Long Does a Stiff Neck Last?

The duration of a stiff neck is based on the individual's response to treatment. Muscle strain or sprain lasts from a few days to a week. Poor posture may last until the underlying posture is corrected, which could take a few days to a couple of weeks. Neck stiffness due to sleeping in an awkward position may resolve within a few weeks. Stress or tension can last from a few days to several weeks. A neck injury can last from a few weeks to months. If neck stiffness persists beyond one week, it is important to seek medical evaluation.

What Can Be Done in Case of a Stiff Neck?

Taking a day or two of rest or reducing stress is often necessary. It allows the soft tissues in the neck to heal. In cases of significant pain, an individual may want to use over-the-counter pain medication or apply ice and heat therapy to reduce the symptoms.

A cervical collar that can immobilize a stiff neck is ill-advised and should be avoided. Instead, after the first couple of days, an individual with a stiff neck should try to stick to normal activity levels.

When Should Medical Advice Be Sought?

If the symptoms do not indicate any improvement after a week, a doctor must be consulted. However, regardless of the duration, a stiff neck accompanied by any other symptoms, such as a fever, headache, nausea or vomiting, or unexplained sleepiness, should be seen by a medical professional immediately.

What Are the Stiff Neck Remedies That Can Be Tried at Home?

A few simple remedies may be tried to relieve symptoms of a stiff neck;

• Ice application must be made for the first 48 to 72 hours.

• This needs to be followed by heat application.

• Take over-the-counter analgesics such as Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen.

• Maintaining a bearable but regular movement and pursuing daily activities as much as feasible.

• However, avoid jerking or painful activities, which help calm the symptoms and reduce inflammation.

• Gentle massage.

• Having a proper mattress or pillow is essential to avoid awkward sleeping postures. Doctors recommend purchasing memory foam pillows.

• Sleeping on a firm mattress without using a pillow.

• Use special neck pillows to avoid compression in an awkward sleeping position.

• Use a soft neck collar; do not use it for prolonged periods.

Can Stretches Help Relieve a Stiff Neck?

The key to relieving a stiff neck is proper stretching and manipulation. A slow range-of-motion neck exercise, up and down, side to side, and from ear to ear, can help to stretch the neck muscles and relieve the pain significantly. Certain yoga poses also help ease stiffness and pain.

Some of the specific stretches and exercises can be performed at the work desk, at home, or in a car, which may help avoid a stiff neck or relieve the symptoms should they ever occur;

• Rolling the shoulders backward and down ten times.

• Squeezing the shoulder blades together ten times.

• Pushing the head back into the car's headrest or armrests and holding for 30 seconds.

• Bring the ear closer to the shoulder ten times on each side.

Conclusion:

A stiff neck usually causes soreness and difficulty moving the neck. The pain is especially evident when turning the head to the side. Taking a day or two of rest or reducing stress is often necessary. It allows the soft tissues in the neck to heal. In cases of significant pain, an individual may want to use over-the-counter pain medication or apply ice and heat therapy to reduce the symptoms. If the symptoms do not indicate any improvement after a week, a doctor must be consulted.