There Are More Reasons For A Stiff Neck Than You Could Ever Think Of

Added: (Thu Mar 04 2010)

Pressbox (Press Release) - A stiff neck is highly annoying. But this can also be an indication of some other serious infection or even tumor. There can be many reasons for a stiff neck. Whiplash or ergonomics can be a few of them. Wear and tear is another reason. Sleeping in a funny position is another reason for getting a stiff neck. It is not advisable to ignore a stiff neck. Rather, it may even be an indication of something systemic. Generally, a stiff neck is not something to be alarmed about. Certain situations besides combined conditions may require medical attention. Usually, the feeling of a stiff neck will be caused by the levator scapula. This refers to the muscle connecting your neck to the shoulder. Hence, a stiff neck may or may not be accompanied by a headache.

But one of the most common causes of neck pain remains muscle strain or tension. For this, the common, everyday activities are to be blamed. Bending over a desk for hours in the same position can be one such activity. Or it may be due to having a poor posture while watching TV or while reading a book. Another common reason is placing your computer monitor too high or too low with respect to your eye level.

With advancing age, the disks between your vertebrae become dry and stiff, which are required to provide cushioning. Over exposure to cold weather may also lead to a stiff neck. Tennis and swimming may be other reasons. Simply watching the back and forth movements of a tennis match may lead to a stiff neck. Neck stiffness can be caused by stress or by anger too. All these are a few reasons for a stiff neck.

There are many other possible causes for having a stiff neck, which include influenza, polio as well as meningitis. But usually, other unpleasant symptoms like nausea, headache or swollen glands accompany these conditions.

A stiff neck can be treated in various ways. All of them depend on the reasons for a stiff neck, in that particular case. A collar and bed rest for 24 hours is required if there is acute or sudden onset of pain. Ice pack may also be recommended for the first 72 hours. The causes here may be trauma, a car accident or a fall.

It is not difficult to treat a stiff neck at home. Ibuprofen or acetaminophen are the pain killers which can be taken. Before taking them, make sure you are not allergic to them. Also ensure that you have received clearance from your physician to use such kinds of over the counter pain relievers. Slowly keep on moving your head. While you move your head from side to side, roll your neck too. Ensure that you are not pushing yourself too hard. In fact, the more you do not move your neck, the stiffer and more painful your situation will be. Also check out your sleeping situation. Make sure your mattress is firm. Make sure that your pillow is ergonomically correct.