Stiff Neck Pain – Understanding the Annoying Medical Condition
Pain in the neck can extend to the arms, shoulders, jaw and even the head giving rise to severe headaches. It can be treated at home and if it turns grave then consultation with a physician is a must.
Stiff Neck Pain – Thwarting Movement and Causing Agony
Any discomfort, soreness, stinging pain, dull muscles, difficulty in moving the neck, etc., are signs of a neck disorder. A stiff neck pain is often accompanied by pain in the shoulders, arms, jaw, head, etc., and can make one turn the entire body while moving as opposed to just the neck. Such pain can be caused due to a number of reasons like muscle strains and sprains due to accidents or improper posture, meningitis, cervical spine disorders, stress or anxiety, etc. If the stiff neck pain lasts for a few days or a week it is mild and can be treated at home however if it persists for any longer then it has become acute and it is best to consult a doctor.
Stiff Neck Headache – Nurse Cautiously
Most of the times, a prolonged and untreated neck pain gives rise to a stiff neck headache and the pain set off can be numb, tight, sharp or stabbing. Sometimes the pain intensifies when one tries to move the head sideways or up and down and burning or tingling sensation in the ears could also occur. It is mostly caused due to injuries like concussion or blow on the head and bacterial or viral meningitis. If a crunching sound is heard when trying to move the neck then it is an indication of cervical osteoarthritis or spasms. The best treatment for a stiff neck headache is to exercise the neck.
Stiff Neck Treatment
The cervical spine is strong, tough, resilient and can easily recover if adequate curative measures are adopted. Firstly, be mindful of the body posture and position in everyday activities like reading, sleeping, watching TV, using the computer, etc., when one negligently tends to curve the spine and bend the neck. Range of motion exercises for the neck, shrugging and rotating shoulders and stretching are very beneficial. Pain relief medication, massages, applying heat or ice to the aching area are helpful remedies. Sleeping on a firm mattress without a pillow is absolutely critical and special neck pillows for stiff neck treatment are easily available.