Stiffness in the neck is a medical condition that is common.The structure of neck can be best explained as seven vertebrae that are the bony building blocks of the spine in the neck that surround the spinal cord and canal. Between these vertebrae are discs, and nearby pass the nerves of the neck. Within the neck, structures include the skin, neck muscles, arteries, veins, lymph glands, thyroid gland, parathyroid glands, esophagus, larynx, and trachea.

Neck pain can come from a wide variety of disorders and diseases to any of the tissues in the neck. A stiff neck can be a result of:

1. Muscle Strain

   This happens when the levator scapula muscle is strained and this generally happens throughout the course of many common, everyday activities, such as:

   • Sleeping in a position that strains the neck muscles
   • Sports injuries that strain the neck
   • Any activity that involves repeatedly turning the head from side to side, such as swimming
   • Poor posture, such as slouching while viewing the computer monitor
   • Excessive stress, which can lead to tension in the neck
   • Holding the neck in an abnormal position for a long period, such as cradling a phone between the neck and shoulder.

2. Infection

   A stiff neck, in conjunction with a high fever, headache, nausea or vomiting, sleepiness and other symptoms, may be indicative of meningitis, a bacterial inflection that causes the protective membranes of the brain and spinal cord to be inflamed. Other infections can also cause stiff neck symptoms, such as meningococcal disease, an infection in the cervical spine. Any time a stiff neck is accompanied by a fever it is advisable to seek immediate medical attention to check for these possibilities.

3. Cervical Spine Disorders

   Many problems in the cervical spine can lead to neck stiffness. The stiffness can result as a reaction to the underlying disorder in the cervical spine. For example, a cervical herniated disc or cervical osteoarthritis can lead to neck stiffness, as the structures and nerve pathways in the cervical spine are all interconnected and a problem in any one area can lead to muscle spasm and/or muscle stiffness.

There are a few common symptoms of neck pain. The various symptoms are:

• Neck pain/Stiffness is commonly associated with dull aching. Sometimes pain in the neck is worsened with movement of the neck
• Other symptoms associated with some forms of neck pain include numbness, tingling, tenderness, sharp shooting pain, difficulty swallowing, pulsations, dizziness or lightheadedness, and lymph node swelling.
• Neck pain can also be associated with headache, facial pain, shoulder pain, and arm numbness. These associated symptoms are often a result of nerves becoming pinched in the neck

The treatment of neck pain varies and depends on its precise cause. Treatment options include rest, heat or cold applications, traction, soft collar traction, physical therapy (ultrasound, massage, manipulation), local injections of cortisone or anesthetics, topical anesthetic creams, topical pain patches, muscle relaxants, analgesics, and surgical procedures.

However its not generally advised to directly go in for therapy or surgery.

Home remedies for treatment, such as Jacuzzi treatment, neck pain relief exercises and stretches, and neck pain relief products such as neck pillows for sleep and hot pads can be helpful for relief of some forms of neck pain. But even this is not a permanent and a sustainable cure.

But it has lately been seen that Chiropractic is soon becoming the preferred treatment for neck pain. Unlike medical physicians, we at Connecticut Family Chiropractic use a holistic approach for their patients rather than the use of prescription medications, which cause an array of side effects. Prescription medications are usually aimed at covering the symptoms rather than resolving the problem. Chiropractors at Connecticut Family go straight to the root of the problem. More so we also advice you for surgery or further treatment in case it is necessary.

Although at Connecticut Family Chiropractic we use many of the same criteria as a physician when diagnosing neck pain, our medical history tends to place greater weight on the fact that the neck is merely one part of the integrated biomechanical system that is the human spine. We at Connecticut Family Chiropractic believe in taking a more holistic view.

Spinal manipulation and spinal adjustments are an important part of the treatment program here at Connecticut Family Chiropractic. But contrary to popular belief, spinal manipulation and spinal adjustments are not painful. We ensure that the treatment is precise and gentle.

Along with these popular treatments, chiropractors at Connecticut Family sometimes use ultrasound, which is another popular non-invasive therapy that is used to treat neck pain. Ultrasound works by helping to increase blood circulation, which in turn reduces swelling, stiffness, and painful muscle spasms. The Connecticut Family Chiropractic doesn't just stop at treating you but also helps you key supplementary exercises and steps such as using an ice pack to accelerate your healing.

The Chiropractic Physicians at Connecticut Family Chiropractic are highly trained in the examination, diagnosis and treatment of most neck disorders. Differential diagnosis is also our specialty. If your condition is better treated by another specialist, our doctors will refer you to some of the area's best doctors for that specific condition.