Neck pain manifests as a symptom in more than one condition. For chronic neck pain, one must consult a cervical spine specialist as soon as possible. Consider this article to learn everything about the condition of a stiff neck.
What Is A Stiff Neck and Its Symptoms?
If your neck hurts when you move or bend it, it is the condition of a stiff neck. You won’t be able to utilise the entire range of neck motion.
Common symptoms of this condition are as follows:
- Increased neck pain when you have to bend it forwards like while working on a computer or driving;
- Muscle tightness;
- Painful and sudden muscle contractions, out of your conscious control;
- Reduced range of motion;
- Headache;
- Physical discomfort; and,
- Disrupted mental well-being.
If a person already has more than one health condition (or comorbidity), the neck pain will be worse. Neck stiffness and pain are common symptoms among various health problems.
To connect with a neck pain specialist, go to the following link: cervical spondylosis doctor near me.
Causes
The following are the major causes of a stiff neck.
Overuse Syndrome: Using the neck more than its capacity can strain the muscles. This condition can develop if you have kept your neck bent forwards for unusually long hours. It can happen while working on the computer, using a smartphone, reading a book, etc. However, bad sleep posture can also result in a stiff neck.
Degeneration: Our body gets old as we age. Certain irreversible changes happen that are out of our control. So, with age, joints wear as well. Bone spurs, tiny little bony growths, over bone ends begin to form.
Cartilage, or soft tissue, between joint bones, erodes away. This gives rise to joint discomfort, pain and stiffness.
The neck is part of the spine called the cervical spine. The neck has 7 vertebral bodies that compose its structure. So, vertebral joints are subject to age-related wear and tear as well, resulting in neck stiffness and discomfort.
Radiculopathy: Nerves are crucial for various feelings like physical touch, discomfort, pain, temperature etc. There are nerves in the neck bones, vertebrae, as well. Many conditions can compress or put pressure on such nerves such as a herniated disc, degenerative disc disorder, an injury, arthritis, etc.
Traumas: An injury can cause fractures, soft tissue injuries and other complications for example nerve compressions, etc., leading to neck pain and stiffness.
Compression Fractures: Osteoporosis is a condition of weak, porous and brittle bones. This makes bones susceptible to fractures. An osteoporotic vertebra can collapse even because of a slight trauma and cause neck pain.
Other Health Issues: A cervical tumour, rheumatoid arthritis, an infection in the meninges, etc., are also other causes of a stiff neck.
Diagnosis
In the process of discovering the exact cause of a stiff neck, a doctor can recommend a variety of tests as follows.
X-rays: This test is used to examine the conditions of bones within our bodies.
CT scan: A CT scan is used to produce bone as well as soft-tissue images. This imaging technique can even be used for patients who already have metal implants within their body, unlike an MRI test.
MRI: This test stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. This is also an imaging test like the preceding ones. It helps diagnose diseased conditions within us in soft tissue as well as bones and joints.
Electromyography: This test helps learn about the electrical activities of muscles and nerves. It is primarily used to evaluate if nerves are working properly or not. Doctors often recommend this test when they suspect the possibility of nerve compression.
Blood Tests: If there is a beginning of a tumour in your neck or a tumorous growth is suggested in an MRI test or CT scan, the doctor might also recommend blood tests to proceed further.
Blood tests help specialists learn about various infection possibilities within the body or the nature of a tumour or cancer.
Biopsy: To examine a tumour closely, a sample of the concerned tissue can be extracted from the body, this procedure is called biopsy.
Later, healthcare professionals inspect this extracted sample closely. It enables a specialist to learn things about the tumour, for example, if it is benign or malignant and others.
Treatment
A neck or cervical spine specialist will first diagnose the condition of neck pain and then provide suitable treatment accordingly to offer the maximum benefit and relief.
The following are treatment options.
Medications: Oral, topical or injectable medicines can be used to relieve severe neck pain.
Physiotherapy: Physiotherapy can also help relieve neck pain. It involves education regarding good posture, exercise and precautions. It also includes performing special hand manoeuvres to help alleviate pain.
Surgery: Rarely, but surgical interventions might also be required to relieve neck stiffness and pain. It is specially done when the cause of pain is nerve compression.
Ask your doctor or surgeon to learn more about a treatment option you need.
Prevention
These precautions will help you keep neck discomfort at bay.
Posture: Don’t hold your neck in a stressful posture (too much forwards or backwards). Keep it straight while working, using smartphones or reading. Good posture helps prevent overuse syndrome in the neck.
Breaks: Don’t overuse your neck, especially those who have to work on computers for long hours. Take adequate breaks frequently. It will help counteract the effects of prolonged work on electronic devices or otherwise.
Office Ergonomics: People whose work involves a lot of sitting or people with a desk job often suffer from conditions like tech neck, wrist pain, shoulder pain or lower back pain. In this situation, office ergonomics is the solution.
Work with an ergonomic specialist to transform your workstation into a comfortable place where you can work without sustaining physical discomfort or straining yourself.
An ergonomist will correct features, alignments and other aspects related to your desk, chair and computer. They will take everything stressful out of your current workstation and make it comfortable for your body.
Active Lifestyle: Keep your body moving as much as possible throughout the day. Quit a sedentary lifestyle. Mobility or physical activity is crucial to prevent neck discomfort.
Exercise: Pay attention to workouts. Exercise your neck regularly. It will help strengthen the muscles, ligaments, cartilage, vertebrae and other components of the neck.
Others: Stay away from alcohol and smoking. Quit substance abuse. Furthermore, don’t carry heavy weight on your shoulders. It will strain your neck or worsen the condition if the neck muscles are already strained.
When to See A Doctor
Neck pain or stiffness is usually caused by overuse syndrome. However, it could also be a symptom of something serious, an underlying condition. Rest your neck for a while. And if rest and painkillers don’t resolve it, consult a cervical spine specialist.
To book your appointment, visit the following link: neck pain doctor specialist near me.
