When it comes to neck conditions, stiffness tends to be one of the more mild issues, but that doesn’t mean it should be overlooked. Untreated neck stiffness can lead to worsening symptoms, and there’s always the possibility that your neck stiffness is actually caused by something more serious than a simple muscle strain. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at some of the causes of a stiff neck and how to best care for these injuries.
Causes And Symptoms Of A Stiff Neck
In most instances, the underlying mechanism of a stiff neck is a strained muscle or a sprained soft tissue in the area. Arguably the most common injury involves a strain to the levator scapulae muscle, which helps connect the cervical spine to your shoulder. It and other muscles in the area can be strained by a number of actions or contributing factors, including:
- Forceful movement of the head and neck (whiplash)
- Poor seated posture
- Sleeping with the neck in a stressful position
- Repetitive neck motions that lead to overstress injuries
- Regularly looking downward, like when using a smartphone or reading a book
- Being under stress, which can lead to prolonged muscle tension in the neck
When caused by acute force, like as a result of a car accident or a forceful change in direction like you may experience during sports, it’s easier to pinpoint the cause of your neck stiffness. However, when it develops as a result of other factors on the above list, it can be harder to determine the cause, which is why it’s important to know what other symptoms suggest you could be dealing with a neck strain. Besides stiffness and limited range of motion, some symptoms associated with a stiff neck include pain, numbness, a tingling sensation, shooting discomfort in the extremities and muscle weakness.
Diagnosing And Treating A Stiff Neck
Most stiff necks are the result of mild or moderate tissue injuries, but there’s always the possibility that a more serious issue is causing your neck stiffness, which is why it’s a good idea to consider a diagnosis from a professional like Dr. Jackman. Your stiff neck could also be the result of a bulging or herniated disc or degenerative disc disease which may warrant more hands-on treatment.
To get to the bottom of your discomfort, Dr. Jackman will begin by asking you about your symptoms, reviewing your medical history and conducting a physical exam. He may manipulate your neck or have you perform some simple neck movements to see how the area responds to different forms of stress. He may be able to diagnose the injury at this stage, or he may opt to confirm his suspicions with the help of an imaging test like an X-ray or MRI.
After determining the extent of your injury, Dr. Jackman can start walking you through some common treatment techniques. As we mentioned above, many mild or moderate cases of neck stiffness respond well to conservative treatment, and in this case that typically involves a combination of rest, anti-inflammatory medication, ice/heat therapy, physical therapy, gentle stretching and targeted exercise as the tissues begin to heal.
In rare instances, more hands-on care may be required. If a herniated disc is pinching a nerve or otherwise limiting your neck’s normal range of motion and it’s not responding to conservative care, a minimally invasive corrective procedure may be necessary. Dr. Jackman can walk you through your operative options should it come to this, but he’s confident that he can address your discomfort with targeted non-operative means.
Remember that if you are dealing with neck stiffness and you don’t proactively treat it, there’s a good chance that symptoms will linger or get worse, and that can make them harder to treat. Instead, connect with a specialist like Dr. Jackman and regain full mobility in your neck. For more information, or for help with your neck issues, give his office a call today at (651) 430-3800.
