Introduction
A stiff neck is a common problem that affects almost all people. It usually results from injuries caused by whiplash, sleeping awkwardly, having a poor posture, or stress. The neck contains muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones. These work together to support the head and allow it to move in many directions. The neck may become stiff or painful when overused or injured. A stiff neck often occurs when one of the muscles becomes strained or tense. Stiffness can also develop if one or more of the vertebrae is injured. A stiff neck may become painful when a person tries to move their neck or head. Usually, a stiff neck results from a minor injury. A stiff neck is typically characterized by soreness and difficulty moving the neck, especially when trying to turn the head to the side. It may also be accompanied by a headache, neck pain, shoulder pain and/or arm pain. In order to look sideways or over the shoulder, an individual may need to turn the entire body instead of the stiff neck. Neck pain is not typically a sign of a more serious issue. People can often relieve the stiffness at home. In rare cases, however, it can be a sign of a serious illness that requires medical treatment.
Signs & symptoms
Pain and tenderness of the neck
Stiffness of the neck
Inability to rotate the neck
Restricted movements
In some cases, vertigo
Causes
A stiff neck often results from minor injury or strain, possibly due to:
- sleeping awkwardly
- unfamiliar exercises or postures
- sitting for long periods, such as at a desk
- looking down at an object (such as a cell phone) repeatedly
- a sports injury
- A fall from a height
- tense muscles due to stress
- Whiplash – Whiplash is an injury to the muscles, bones, ligaments, nerves in the neck, or all of these. It causes pain and stiffness in the neck
- Arthritis
- Meningitis
- Herniation of disc in the cervical area
- Cervical degenerative disc disease
- Cervical osteoarthritis
Pathophysiology
A stiff neck often occurs when one of the muscles becomes strained or tense. Stiffness can also develop if one or more of the vertebrae is injured. A stiff neck may become painful when a person tries to move their neck or head. Usually, a stiff neck results from a minor injury or incident. By far the most common cause of a stiff neck is a muscle strain or soft tissue sprain. In particular, the levator scapulae muscle is susceptible to injury. Located at the back and side of the neck, the levator scapulae muscle connects the neck’s cervical spine with the shoulder. This muscle is controlled by the third and fourth cervical nerves (C3, C4).
The levator scapulae muscle may be strained throughout the course of many common, everyday activities.
Diagnosis
Physical examination-palpation
X ray
MRI
Blood tests especially in arthritic conditions
Treatments
The treatment of a stiff neck depends on the cause. When the stiffness is minor, some of the following home treatments may help:
An ice pack may help reduce swelling and numb pain. Using an ice pack can help relieve inflammation
Using heating pads or a taking hot bath can help relax tense muscles and provide relief.
Over-the-counter medicines like ibuprofen and naproxen, which can reduce swelling and relieve pain.
Stretching the neck muscles by gently and slowly moving the head
Checking and correcting the sleep environment and sleeping position including height of pillow.
Correcting the posture including keeping the shoulders, neck, and back in a straight line throughout the day. Wearing a posture-correcting device can help in severe cases.
Ongoing stiffness in the neck accompanied by a headache or jaw pain upon waking can be a sign of bruxism or grinding of tooth at night. A dentist can check the teeth for signs of wear from grinding, and the alignment of the jaw.
Getting a massage can provide relief from tense, sore muscles.
Managing stress in a healthy way
Prognosis
Usually, stiffness of neck shows good prognosis in acute cases. But chronic and complicated cases show bad and long-term prognosis
Complications
Neck sprain
Limited movements
Headache
Meningitis can be a cause of stiffness of neck which can lead to serious complications
Disease & Ayurveda
Stiffness can be developed due to vitiation of Vaata along with Kapha. When it is manifested in neck, it is called greevastambha
Nidana
Causative factors for Kapha and Vaata
Kshata-injury
Purvaaroopa
Not mentioned
Samprapti Due to causative factors, the vitiated Kapha gets lodged in the neck and cause obstruction in channels and swelling. When there is obstruction (or in degenerative bone diseases of neck) Vaata vitiation in the neck also happens and the disease manifests.
Lakshana
Stiffness of neck
Limited movements of neck
Headache
Pain and tenderness of neck
Divisions
Not mentioned
Prognosis
Kricchrasadhya in new cases
Yaapya in chronic cases
Chikithsa
Samana
Lepanam with Rookshana dravyas
Swedanam
Mardanam (in completely vaatika)
Udwartanam
Sodhana
Abhyangam
Siropichu
Sirodhaara
Nasyam
Vamanam
Virechanam
Asthapanavasti
Anuvasanavasti
Commonly used medicines
Maharasnadi kashayam
Amruthotharam kashayam
Nirgundyadi Kashayam
Rasnasaptakam Kashayam
Yogarajaguggulu
Maharajaprasaranyadi tailam
Brands available
AVS Kottakal
AVP Coimbatore
SNA oushadhasala
Vaidyaratnam oushadhasala
Home remedies
- Complete rest and limited movement of the area affected
- Use of proper pillow or neck cushion while sitting and lying down
- Ice pack application to the affected area to help relieve pain and reduce inflammation
Other measures that may provide relief from neck stiffness include:
- gently stretching the muscles
- avoiding high-impact activities until the discomfort is relieved
- avoiding weight lifting sessions until complete recovery
- stress-relief activities and exercises such as yoga and meditation to relieve tension
Diet
- To be avoided
Heavy meals and difficult to digest foods – cause indigestion.
Junk foods- cause disturbance in digestion and reduces the bioavailability of the medicine
Carbonated drinks – makes the stomach more acidic and disturbed digestion
Refrigerated and frozen foods – causes weak and sluggish digestion by weakening Agni (digestive fire)
Milk and milk products – increase kapha, cause obstruction in channels and obesity
Curd – causes vidaaha and thereby many other diseases
- To be added
Light meals and easily digestible foods
Green gram, soups, sesame oil
Freshly cooked and warm food processed with cumin seeds, ginger, black pepper, ajwain etc
Behaviour:
Protect yourself from cold climate.
Better to avoid exposure to excessive sunlight wind rain or dust.
Maintain a regular food and sleep schedule.
Avoid holding or forcing the urges like urine, faeces, cough, sneeze etc.
Avoid sedentary lifestyle.
Yoga
Regular stretching and mild cardio exercises are advised to relieve neck stiffness in cases other than injury. Also, specific yogacharya including naadisuddhi pranayama, bhujangaasana, pavanamuktasana is recommended.
Regular exercise helps improve bioavailability of the medicine and food ingested and leads to positive health.
Yoga can maintain harmony within the body and with the surrounding system.
Pavanamuktasana
Nadisudhi pranayama
Bhujangasana
Simple exercises for lungs and heart health
All the exercises and physical exertions must be decided and done under the supervision of a medical expert only.
Research articles
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17274540/
Author information
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