What is Good for Stiff Neck? How to Treat Neck Stiffness?

Stiffness and pain felt in the neck is a condition that can negatively affect daily life activities. This condition, known as “stiff neck”; It can occur due to muscle tension, overuse, or poor posture. Symptoms appear as stiffness, pain and limitation of movement in the neck area. Although it usually tends to improve on its own within a few days, it is important to seek professional medical help if symptoms become persistent or worsen.

What are the symptoms of stiff neck?

Stiff neck is a condition that occurs as a result of tension or strain in the muscles in the neck area. Its symptoms usually occur as a combination of abnormal muscle activity and irritation of the tissues in the neck area. Symptoms of stiff neck include:

• Pain: Neck stiffness occurs due to a sudden movement, poor posture or muscle strain. Therefore, the most obvious symptom is severe pain in the neck area. The pain may increase over time and spread to the shoulders and upper back area.
• Stiffness: Stiff neck is characterized by a feeling of stiffness and limitation in neck movements. Movement of the head to the right, left, up or down may be difficult. This can negatively affect daily activities.
• Dizziness and Fatigue: Symptoms can often be accompanied by dizziness and a general feeling of fatigue. This may be due to the muscles in the neck area being in constant tension.
• Neck Skin Sensitivity: In case of neck stiffness, the neck skin may become sensitive and sensitive to touch.
• Muscle Tension: Muscles can become strained due to excessive activity, poor posture, or staying in a fixed position for long periods of time.
• Restriction of Movement: Neck stiffness can cause limitation of movement as it strains the muscles in the neck. It may become difficult to turn the head left or right, up or down, or bending. This can negatively affect daily activities.
• Shoulder and Upper Back Pain: A stiff neck can cause pain in the shoulders and upper back area. This pain is caused by muscle tension in the neck and can restrict the movement of the shoulders.
• Headache: Neck stiffness may occur along with headache. Headache is usually felt in the temples or back of the head.

What Causes Neck Stiffness?

Abnormal contraction of the muscles during a stiff neck can cause strain during daily activities. Excessive load on the muscles, especially during activities, may further trigger this condition. The following factors can cause these conditions:

• Muscle Tension and Overuse: One of the most common causes of stiff neck is excessive tension or overuse of the muscles in the neck. It may occur during daily activities such as prolonged computer use, working in a monotonous position, or prolonged driving.
• Posture Disorder: Poor posture may cause the spine and muscles in the neck area to not receive proper support. This condition, which is especially common in people working at a desk, can lead to stiff neck over time.
• Disc Problems: Degeneration of the discs between the cervical vertebrae or disc herniation (herniation) can also be a cause of stiff neck. This may affect the stability of the spine and cause strain on the neck muscles.
• Stress and Anxiety: Stress and anxiety can lead to muscle tension in the body. Muscles in the neck area may also be affected by this condition and stiffness may occur.
• Trauma or Injuries: A blow to the neck area, accidents or sports injuries can also cause stiff neck. This condition occurs with a sudden strain of the neck muscles.

What is Good for Stiff Neck?

Treatment options and relaxing practices can be used to relieve stiff neck symptoms and speed recovery. It is important to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any treatment plan. The treatment plan to be applied should be determined depending on the person’s general health condition and complaints. Applications that are good for neck stiffness are given below:

• Cold and Hot Applications: Applying cold compresses to the neck area can reduce pain and inflammation. A cold compress can control swelling by constricting blood vessels and relieve pain by pressing on nerve endings. Afterwards, it may be helpful to relax the muscles and increase blood circulation by using warm compresses. Warm applications can relieve muscle spasms and support the healing process.
• Rest: In case of stiff neck, it is important to provide rest to the neck muscles. Restricting activities, not overloading the neck area, and using the right bed and pillow can speed up the healing process.
• Painkillers and Anti-Inflammatory Drugs: Painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs are drug classes frequently used in conditions such as stiff neck. These medications are preferred to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. They can reduce the feeling of pain, especially by controlling inflammatory conditions. It is important to follow your doctor’s recommendations regarding the dose and duration of use of these medications.
• Muscle Relaxant Drugs: Muscle relaxant drugs are used to relieve muscle spasms and relax the muscles. Stiff neck is often associated with muscle tension. Therefore, muscle relaxants may be effective in managing this condition. Muscle relaxant drugs prescribed by the doctor help the muscles relax by affecting the central nervous system. These drugs can contribute to more effective results by using them together with other methods during the treatment process.
• Exercise Programs: Physical therapists aim to achieve effective results by designing personalized exercise programs in the treatment of neck stiffness. These programs focus on strengthening neck muscles, increasing flexibility, and improving the overall health of the neck area. Experts evaluate the patient’s individual condition and support the patient’s rehabilitation process by recommending specific exercises.
• Manual Therapy: Manual therapy applied by physiotherapists is an effective treatment option for people with stiff neck. This therapy method includes massage, manipulation and stretching techniques. With dexterity and expertise, the physical therapist can reduce muscle tension, increase the range of motion of the joints, and relieve the patient’s pain and discomfort.
• Supportive Neck Collars: Supporting neck collars are used to provide support to the neck area, restrict movement and allow the muscles to rest. They can be used to provide support, especially in acute situations or during certain activities. It should be noted that long-term use may cause muscle weakness. Therefore, it is important to consult a specialist regarding the use of a neck collar.
• Surgery: Neck stiffness usually does not require surgical intervention, but in rare cases, surgery may be an option. Surgical intervention may be considered in cases such as disc herniation, narrowing of the spine or severe traumatic injuries.
• Massage: Massage is a frequently used practice to deal with conditions such as stiff neck. A gentle massage can relieve pain by relaxing the neck muscles. This method can increase blood circulation, relieve muscle spasms, and generally help relax muscles. Care should be taken while massaging and excessive pressure should be avoided. Especially the neck area requires a gentle touch due to its sensitive anatomical structure.

How to Prevent Neck Stiffness?

It is possible to reduce the risk of this disease by taking some simple precautions. Things that can be done to prevent stiff neck are as follows:

• To acquire correct posture habits,
• Creating an ergonomic working environment,
• Taking regular breaks and resting
• Avoiding staying in the same position for a long time,
• Choosing the right bed and pillow,
• Doing warm-up exercises before the activity,
• Taking care to keep the neck and shoulders warm in cold weather,
• Lift weights carefully.

Paying attention to these suggestions to prevent stiff neck can improve your overall health and increase your quality of daily life. However, in case of severe pain or persistent discomfort, it is important to see a healthcare professional.