Stiff neck usually manifests itself when you wake up in the morning. People who are afflicted may feel pain along with pain in the neck area. Such eclipses pass by themselves during the day. However, some exercises can be done to reduce this process. There are many factors that cause neck stiffness. When these factors are removed, this problem is solved. It is very important to get an opinion from a specialist doctor for persistent neck pain.
What is neck stiffness?
There are many ailments that negatively affect daily life. Among these ailments is neck stiffness. There are many structures in the neck such as muscles, tendons, bones. Thanks to these structures, the neck can be easily rotated and moved from left to right. However, sometimes the muscles in the neck area suddenly contract. These contractions cause a feeling of pain and pain in the person. Such contractions are called neck stiffness. However, the reason for every neck stiffness may not be muscle contraction. Herniation in the neck spinal cord can also cause such tightness and pain. In neck stiffness, people have difficulty in turning their necks to the right or left. There is severe pain in the turning movement.
What causes stiff neck?
Stiff neck is more evident when you wake up in the morning, but in some cases it can also occur during the day. When neck movements are restricted, the social life of the person is greatly affected. Most neck stiffness is temporary and does not require any treatment. However, neck stiffness that lasts for weeks and does not go away should be taken into account. The fact that the period is too long may be a sign of another underlying health problem. For this reason, it is of great importance to consult an orthopedic or physical therapy physician who is specialized in the field of neck stiffness and pain that does not go away and lasts for a long time. The main causes of neck stiffness in general are:
- Keeping the neck in the same position for a long time
- Wrong sleeping position
- Do not make movements that force the neck during sports
- Working hours at a desk
- Don’t stand in front of the air conditioner after sweating a lot.
- Stress
- Lifting heavy and doing things that strain the neck area
- Don’t look at a cell phone or computer screen while standing in a spine-straining position
- Blows to the neck area
- Blows to the head
The reasons listed above include simple and temporary neck stiffness. However, some neck stiffness may occur as a symptom of other diseases. The factors that cause such eclipses are:
- Neck hernia
- Neck calcification
- throat infections
- meningitis disease
- joint infections
- Trauma
- neck flattening
What are the symptoms of stiff neck?
Stiff neck can be caused by simple reasons or it can occur due to other diseases. The easiest way to distinguish this is to track how long the eclipse lasts. When stiff neck is due to simple reasons, it usually goes away within ten days. In addition, severe muscle weakness or severe pain is not seen in such eclipses. However, when this period is prolonged, the presence of other diseases may be suspected. If severe pain is added to persistent and long-lasting neck stiffness, it is recommended to consult a specialist physician without wasting time. The symptoms that indicate neck stiffness in general are as follows:
- Pain in the neck area
- Pain in the neck area when moving the neck
- Difficulty moving the neck left to right
- Spread of pain in the neck region to the shoulder and arm region
- Numbness in the arms, fingers or shoulder area with stiff neck
- ligament pain
- Difficulty turning the head up or down
The above-listed symptoms indicate injury to the neck muscles. However, these symptoms may also indicate the presence of a disease such as a hernia in the neck region. It is extremely important to consult a specialist for neck pain that does not go away in a week or ten days.
How is neck stiffness going?
The factors that cause stiff neck can be simple or in some cases serious. Keeping the neck in the same position for long hours is one of the main causes of stiffness. However, such eclipses can also cause herniation if precautions are not taken. Many different methods are used in the treatment of neck stiffness. At the beginning of these methods are muscle relaxants that allow muscles to relax and painkillers that are effective in reducing pain. It is also used in muscle relaxant creams, which have a great effect on muscle relaxation. In cases where drugs and creams are not a solution, physical therapy is used. However, as with everything, care must be taken, especially in the use of drugs. It is extremely important to get a doctor’s approval before using any medication. Because some neck stiffness may be caused by nerve compression. In such a case, surgical procedures may be needed.
When stiff neck occurs for simple reasons, it can be resolved in a short time by applying a few simple methods. There are also herbal treatment methods for stiff neck. Herbal teas such as thyme tea and ginger tea play a great role in relaxing the muscles in the neck area. It is very important to get doctor’s approval before applying these herbal treatment options. There are some methods that you can apply at home to relieve stiff neck. Home remedies for stiff neck are:
- Putting a hot towel on the neck area
- Use of muscle relaxants with doctor’s approval
- Avoiding movements that will strain the neck
- To rest
- Applying a cold compress to the sore area
- Doing gentle stretches without straining the neck too much
What are neck hold exercises?
It is recommended to do light exercises to reduce the pain and pain caused by stiff neck. Stretching movements, especially for the neck area, play a big role in the relaxation of the contracted muscles. One of the neck holding exercises is to turn the neck to the right and left without forcing it too much. Thanks to these movements, the muscles in the neck area begin to work. Apart from this, the movement of turning the shoulders back is also very effective. This movement also relaxes the muscles in the neck area. If an increase in pain is observed while performing such exercises, it is recommended to consult a physical therapy physician who is specialized in the field without wasting time.