Stiff Neck Causes and Symptoms

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

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

Stiffness can be of a minor nature, such as simple neck muscle spasms, caused by stress, or something we do in our daily activities. And a stiff neck 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 don't provide specifics on medical conditions - I leave that to the experts!

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

This website is written by a patient NOT a practitioner. Exercises and techniques discussed here were provided to me - for my specific needs. To avoid risk of serious injury they should not be used by others without being discussed with a qualified health care provider.

Stiff Neck Symptoms

I would definitely get in touch with a health care provider if experiencing, or my stiff neck was 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 have a stiff neck and headache, and/or dizziness

Additionally, I have read expert advice that says...

...you should be evaluated even if none of the above symptoms are present, but you have a painful stiff neck that does not feel right. There are many causes of stiff neck pain and it is best to make sure that yours is not serious.

You may also be interested in:
Frozen Shoulder Exercises, Neck Massage Technique, Stiff Neck, Upper Back Exercises, or from Amazon, Treat Your Own Neck 4th Ed

Stiff Neck Remedies

Along with ice therapy or heat therapy, your doctor may suggest over the counter pain medication for short term relief for a stiff neck.

Also, they may suggest that you keep your upper torso and back muscles relaxed, which may prevent stiff neck pain from transferring into shoulder pain and back pain.

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