Stiff neck is commonly experience once in a while and many find it not as a symptom that they would consider as dangerous. However, stiff neck may also be indicative of other serious problems and conditions such as meningitis and muscular problems. Before we get into different infectious or immunological causes it is should be noted that that if you have a stiff neck you body will compensate and you may start suffering from shoulder pain as well (this may possibly turn into frozen shoulder). Infectious disease may also manifest stiff neck as its symptoms as well as other medical conditions. It is relatively safe not to assume that stiff neck is merely a normal condition experienced especially when it occurs more often. Stiff neck calls for a medical evaluation in order to obtain a more accurate diagnosis.
Stiff neck may be associated to different types of underlying causes. It may be caused by infection which symptom may be associated with fever and headache. Cervical involvement afflicted by polio, meningitis and other infectious disease may produce stiff neck.
Neck disorders may also promote stiff neck to occur such as when the neck sustains an injury. Muscle strains along the neck may also produce the symptom of stiff neck. Strains along the neck may also produce stiffness of the neck such as when occurred caused by whiplash injury. Other muscle disorders may also subject the neck to become stiff. Arthritis is also a common cause for stiff neck. Spinal disorders may also affect the structural tissues of the neck. Disc disorders such as cervical spondylosis may also affect the neck. Muscular disorders on the neck such as torticollis may produce symptoms of stiff neck.
Stiff neck is also a common physical complaint with improper sleeping posture and improper use of pillow during sleep. Other muscular deformities such as Klippel Feil disorder, wry neck, congenital torticollis and other congenital defects contribute to stiff neck. Cervical problems also affect the muscular disease on the neck resulting to symptoms contributory to neck stiffness.
Minor stiff neck is usually manifested with simple spasm of the neck muscles. Cause may also trigger neck stiffness. Limited movement of the neck occurs and sometimes it is accompanied with pain that does not long last a day. Lifestyle changes, proper posture and neck exercises will often suffice to alleviate neck stiffness symptoms.
At what extent does your stiff neck requires medical help? Stiff neck that is due to pathological conditions may also cuase muscle weakness from the shoulder to the hands. Any trauma sustained on the truck or neck should call for an immediate consultation with a doctor. Once stiff neck occurs with inability to move your arms or the pain does not subside, your doctor may prescribe pain medications. Infection is also the culprit for stiff neck accompanied by fever. It may also be due to a swollen gland. Stiff neck may also occur accompanied with headache and dizziness.
Stiff neck is managed with neck exercises, strengthening of the neck muscles and ice and heat therapies. Relaxation exercise also helps reduce the stress on the neck muscles that may cause the stiff neck. Avoid stressful activities to prevent trauma along the neck structures that may also cause stiff neck to occur.
