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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.