CONDITIONS

Getting up out of bed with a stiff neck is not how most people envision starting their day. What’s worse is having to endure the pain for more than a few days. Generally, a stiff neck is not worrisome unless the pain persists or worsens. Still, even seemingly unproblematic cases of a stiff neck may affect your life, from your mood and sleeping patterns to your work performance and daily life. A stiff neck can develop after sleeping in an awkward position or turning your head too fast. Sometimes, a stiff neck may be a warning sign of a more serious health issue. Find out what may be causing your stiff neck and how you can treat it below. Why Is My Neck Stiff? There’s no doubt that having a stiff neck is a major inconvenience. Whether it’s not being able to move your neck or having constant headaches, enduring a stiff neck is frustrating. This is especially true if you don’t know the cause. Usually, a stiff neck emerges from one of the four following reasons: Muscle Injury The neck is made up of 26 muscles, all used to stabilize the upper body and stimulate head movement and rotation. If any of these muscles is overstretched or exerted, microscopic tears can form in the muscle or the ligaments, tissues, and tendons that connect to it. This is what’s known as a muscle strain or sprain. The levator scapulae muscle, located on the back and side of the neck, is the most common muscle in the neck to sustain damage. Everyday activities can strain this muscle, including repetitive activities, stress, poor posture, and insufficient support when sleeping. Cervical Spine Disorders The cervical spine is made up of about 7 vertebrae, 6 discs, 21 joints, 8 pairs of nerves, and as noted before, 26 muscles. A cervical spine disorder can compromise the function of the neck and result in severe pain that radiates down the arms, legs, and shoulders. Three cervical spine disorders that may cause a stiff neck include: Herniated discs: When discs that make up the cervical region protrude or bugle Cervical osteoarthritis: When cartilage and vertebrae excessively wear down Cervical degenerative disc disease: When discs that make up the cervical region weaken Infection Although it’s rare, an infection may be the source of your stiff neck. If not treated promptly, infections can spread into the bloodstream, destabilize the spine, and affect the brain and its surrounding structures. Some of the most common infections in the neck are: Meningitis: A bacterial, viral, or fungal infection that inflames the meninges, which line the brain and spinal cord Vertebral osteomyelitis: A bone infection that can be caused by injury or an infection or bacteria in the blood Deep neck infections: These can form an abscess in the neck after an infection in surrounding areas such as the throat, ears, or sinuses In addition to a stiff neck, someone with an infection may feel tired, weak, or fatigued as their body tries

At some point in our lives, we’ve all gotten up out of bed with a painful twinge in our neck. Some might call it “sleeping the wrong way.” Neck pain is not an uncommon complaint, as nearly 80% of Americans have experienced some level of neck pain during their life. The neck is designed to stabilize the weight of the head while supporting movement. Several triggering events or underlying factors can irritate the neck muscles and cause pain that ranges from dull to intense. The majority of people with neck pain recover on their own, whether it’s through rest, physical therapy, or over-the-counter medicine. Still, it’s imperative to know when to seek the care of a spine doctor when your neck pain persists. When to Seek Medical Care for Neck Pain At its worst, neck pain causes paralysis, which is why it’s important that you monitor your pain. If you’ve already been diagnosed with a neck or spine condition, then it’s more likely that you’ll need to seek emergency medical care. Those include tumors, degenerative disc disease, cervical dystonia, or a cervical fracture.     Generally, the same high alert applies if your neck pain: Becomes chronic (won’t go away) Radiates down your arms or legs Doesn’t respond well to treatment Worsens over time Is debilitating Causes headaches, weakness, numbness, or tingling Contacting your doctor immediately after experiencing one or more of these symptoms is critical to your health. Putting off medical care may result in a higher risk of developing a severe illness. It’s normal for people to want to “tough it out” or “deal with it.” But when it comes to your neck health, it’s not worth putting your life on the line. What Chronic Neck Pain Might Indicate As pointed out before, if you weren’t already diagnosed with a medical condition, then chronic neck pain might indicate that something is going on in your body. Sometimes, neck pain may not be serious and generate mild symptoms like stiffness, headaches, or muscle spasms. It may be the case that you were hunched over too long at work or that you turned your neck the wrong way. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case for those living with chronic neck pain. In addition to the red flags above, pay close attention to the following symptoms: Nausea or vomiting Fever Drowsiness Confusion Mood changes Weight loss Chronic neck pain may also indicate a brain or head injury. Perhaps you fell or were in a motor vehicle collision a few months ago but didn’t start feeling pain until recently. It’s possible that you sustained whiplash, have inflammation in the neck, or have a pinched nerve. Regardless, it’s important to find out the exact underlying cause for your pain because it may suggest a serious complication. Rare Conditions That May Cause Neck Pain Neck pain isn’t always caused by an injury. After common conditions of neck pain are ruled out, your doctor may start pursuing other possibilities. Depending on your condition, your doctor