What is a stiff neck?
The stiff neck common is a pseudo-pathological condition characterized by a limited mobility (or a block) of the neck, always accompanied by acute and intense cervical pain.
The common stiff neck is an extremely frequent and painful disorder, due to a contracture of the lateral muscles of the neck. Fortunately, the painful condition is transient, meaning it tends to resolve within a few days or within a couple of weeks of the onset of symptoms. There are, however, relapses.
Causes
The torticollis has a "multifactorial origin, that is, it can be favored by different and heterogeneous causes.
The main defendants of the common torticollis are:
- Assumption of incorrect postures for long periods
- Taking a wrong position while sleeping
- Air currents
- Abrupt and sudden movements of the neck
In addition to the causes listed above, viral infections, inflammations and injuries to the cervical spine (eg disc herniation) can also induce torticollis.
There is also a congenital variant of torticollis - which has nothing to do with the common torticollis - caused by a retraction of the sternocleidomastoid muscle or by bone malformations of the cervical vertebrae, originating during intrauterine life. To learn more, see the article: types of torticollis
Symptoms
The patient suffering from stiff neck complains of marked difficulty in flexing, rotating or extending the neck; every slightest movement in this area produces a sharp, penetrating and unbearable local pain.
The clinical picture of common torticollis is characterized by:
- Brachialgia: Painful condition of the neck that also radiates level of the arm
- Neck pain: generic pain in the neck of a musculoskeletal nature
- Stiffness of the cervical muscles
- Inability / inability to move, move or rotate the neck
Torticollis: drug therapy
The treatment for torticollis must be established according to the triggering cause. Normally, neck pain can be solved by a simple therapy with analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs. The most used for this purpose are:
- NSAIDs (ibuprofen, acetylsalicylic acid, naproxen)
- Muscle relaxants (diazepam, Ciclobenzaprine)
- Corticosteroids (e.g. prednisone, methylprednisolone)
Sometimes, the pain felt in the cervical spine is particularly intense, therefore, the patient needs an orthopedic collar to speed up healing and alleviate symptoms.
Different discourse must be placed for the torticollis resulting from serious injuries, for example due to a cervical herniation. In such circumstances, the only possibility to remove the torticollis is to cure the underlying hernia by means of a targeted surgery (discectomy) or a further specific treatment established by the doctor.
Non-pharmacological remedies
It is not always necessary to resort to drugs to treat a stiff neck. Sometimes, minor neck pain can be quickly resolved by practicing simple steps.
How is it possible to alleviate the pain caused by a stiff neck?
- Warm compresses on the sore neck provide immediate relief, especially when the stiff neck is caused by a contracture of the cervical muscles.
- Inflammation-dependent stiff neck can be temporarily relieved by cryotherapy, or cold therapy. For this purpose, it is advisable to place an ice pack wrapped in a soft cloth on the sore neck. To obtain the maximum therapeutic efficacy of ice , it is recommended to remove the cold bag every 15-20 minutes, alternating with breaks of equal duration.
- Avoid excessive rest. Contrary to what one might think, an excess of rest favors the stiffness of the joints and muscles, already weakened by the stiff neck. Rather, it is advisable to take a restful position for 30 minutes; after which it is good to try your hand at a walk or carry out a light physiotherapy exercise, specific for a stiff neck.
- Rest on a suitable mattress, which must not be too soft.
- Correct any incorrect lifestyle habits, such as incorrect posture
- To chill out. Stress and anxiety can exacerbate a stiff neck as tensions are released on the spine.
- Prefer solid chairs, so that the neck and back are supported.
- Perform the exercises for cervical pain correctly, in order to mobilize the cervical vertebrae and release the tensions accumulated during the day.
Prevention
Although it causes sharp and stinging pain, the common stiff neck - in itself - is not a real pathology.
But how is it possible to prevent a stiff neck?
- Assume correct positions during the night's rest. It is advisable not to sleep in a prone position, rather to prefer the "fetal" position, that is, on the side, with the knees bent towards the chest
- Avoid, as far as possible, sudden changes in temperature, or at least take shelter whenever you leave the house (especially in the winter months). Let us briefly recall that air currents are one of the etiological factors most involved in torticollis
- Avoid sudden and violent movements of the neck
- Regularly perform a "sporting activity."
- Avoid heavy physical exertion with overloads, especially in case of predisposition to stiff neck and neck pain
