Stiff Neck Causes

You should know a bit about your stiff neck causes...

...and, before you devise your own stiff neck treatment plan be aware that on occasion a stiff and painful neck may be caused by a medical condition.

Your stiffness may be of a minor nature, caused by stress or something you are doing in your day-to-day activities.  If so, it may be easily remedied through neck exercise and lifestyle changes. However, this is not always the case.

Since my expertise is in "creating pain relieving approaches to your daily activity" and not in the medical field, I stay away from providing specifics on medical conditions and leave that to the experts!

Nevertheless, if you're having a stiff neck with pain, there are some general guidelines you should be aware of, and symptoms that may be a tell-tale sign that something is amiss.

Stiff Neck Symptoms

You should definitely be in touch with your health care provider if you are experiencing, or your stiff neck is causing, any of these symptoms.

• Numbness, tingling, or weakness in your arm or hand
• If you've recently been in an accident, fallen, or had any type of blow to your upper torso.
• You either cannot move your upper body and/or arms, or have extreme stiffness in any of those areas
• If in addition to a stiff neck muscle you have swollen glands
• Your pain is not subsiding with the recommended dose of over-the-counter pain medication
• You have a fever and stiff neck
• If you're having difficulty swallowing or breathing
• Your stiff neck causes unusual headaches and/or dizziness

Even if you don't have any of the above symptoms, but have a painful stiff neck that just doesn't feel right, don't hesitate to get evaluated. There are many causes of stiff neck pain and you want to make sure that yours is not of a serious nature.

Stiff Neck Remedies

Until you can see your health care provider, short-term relief for a stiff neck may be found in either ice therapy or heat therapy, as well as an over-the-counter pain medication. You may also find relief by keeping your upper torso relaxed which can help prevent your stiff neck pain from transferring into shoulder pain and back pain. .

Long-term, your stiff neck causes will determine what your health care provider prescribes as a treatment plan - a plan that should be followed closely to prevent any further discomfort.