The Causative Factors of Stiff Neck
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. What caused stiff neck may be determined through a thorough medical evaluation.
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. Straining the neck muscle may result to stiff neck such as when a whiplash injury occurs. Other muscle disorders may also subject the neck to become stiff. Stiff neck may also be a symptom of arthritis. 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.
The improper use of a pillow during sleep and psotural problems may also cause stiff neck. 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. It may cause limitation of neck movement with pain that may subside in a day. Lifestyle changes, proper posture and neck exercises will often suffice to alleviate neck stiffness symptoms.
When do you know if it is time to see a medical professional to assess your stiff neck? Weakness and numbness may also accompany stiff neck as symptoms caused by a pathological disorder. Once traumatic injury inflicts the neck and the torso, one should immediately see a doctor. Stiff neck, once it involved pain in the arm movement with persistent pain, is usually managed with pain medications. Stiff neck cuased by infection may be accompanied with fever. Stif neck may be caused by a swollen gland. The pain in the neck may be 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.
Posted in pain management guidelines | No Comments »