Degenerative changes in the cervical spine and muscle strain are the causes of stiff neck

“A-choo!”

Sneeze when you wake up in the morning

It’s over, I have a stiff neck again!

The neck cannot move forward and backward immediately

I can't even turn my head. It hurts when I move.

When lying down and getting up

My neck feels like it was chopped off

…

Xiao Zhang, a media practitioner in Fuzhou, suffers from stiff necks at least three times a year . She describes each time she suffers from stiff necks as if she were "paralyzed from the waist down and wearing a brace" and the pain is unbearable every time.

Unexpectedly, when I arrived at the office with my "stiff" neck, I met several colleagues who had the same problem . Most of them caught a cold due to the air-conditioning.

After two or three days, the colleagues' stiff neck symptoms gradually eased, but Xiao Zhang was still in unbearable pain.

Network Diagram

Dr. Chen Bin from the Rehabilitation Department of Fujian Provincial People's Hospital judged that the external force of sneezing was only the cause of Xiao Zhang's stiff neck, and muscle strain and cervical vertebra degeneration were the root causes .

Sure enough, the X-ray examination showed that Xiao Zhang's "physiological curvature of the cervical spine had become straightened, showing degenerative changes."

The original curvature of the cervical spine was a "C"-shaped arc of 20°-25°, but it became an approximate straight line, and even partially a reverse curve.

Doctor Chen Bin explained that in this case, the muscle contraction ability becomes poor , and the ability of the cervical spine to bear the weight of the head and buffer pressure is greatly weakened. This "burden" falls on muscles and joints that should not bear it, just like a 3-year-old child carrying 50 kilograms of rice, which makes it easy to get a stiff neck frequently .

"My neck muscles are cramped"

Stiff neck is an acute injury to the soft tissue of the neck. In layman's terms, it is a cramp in the neck muscles.

Stiff neck is mostly caused by muscle strain, improper posture, exposure to cold evil, violent injury, lack of exercise, etc.

"Xiao Zhang's case is caused by external factors such as violent injury, such as lifting too heavy objects, which increases the burden on the muscles and ligaments of the shoulder and neck, and increases the risk of stiff neck. His colleague suffered from stiff neck due to the cold evil, which is not only in cold seasons. Excessive changes in temperature , such as going from outdoors to an air-conditioned room in summer and being blown by cold wind, can lead to poor blood circulation in the shoulders and neck, which can also increase the risk of stiff neck, " explained Dr. Chen Bin.

Self-relief does not mean "lying flat"

Generally, after a stiff neck, it will be relieved by itself in 3-7 days. But self-relief does not mean "lying down" without taking any measures.

Continuous hot compress can relieve muscle spasms. You can use a hot water bottle to heat the painful area, the temperature should not exceed 50 degrees (be careful to prevent burns), 20-30 minutes at a time. If it cannot be completely relieved in one time, repeat the hot compress 2-3 times a day.

In addition, Dr. Chen Bin reminds that in the acute stage of stiff neck, do not rush to move the neck to avoid aggravating the condition. If there is no obvious improvement after resting for 1-2 days, it is recommended to seek medical attention in time to avoid delaying the recovery process.

Repeated stiff neck is a precursor to cervical spondylosis

If you have a stiff neck repeatedly, it may be a precursor to cervical spondylosis , and you should seek medical attention in time. X-ray examination can determine whether cervical spondylosis is caused by long-term chronic degeneration.

Also, if a stiff neck is accompanied by red flag symptoms such as fever, headache, nausea or vomiting, or unexplained drowsiness, seek medical attention immediately.

Posture is important to prevent stiff neck

Prevent frequent stiff neck

Especially for people with cervical spine problems

Pay attention to the following points

Pay attention to your posture

No posture should be maintained for too long; avoid bending over a desk for long periods of time while working; stand up and move around or do some simple stretching every 40 to 50 minutes; when looking at your phone, try to keep it parallel to your eyes.
Pay special attention to your sleeping posture. When sleeping, mainly lie on your back or side , and don't sleep on your stomach. For those with cervical and lumbar discomfort, it is also recommended to put a soft pillow between your legs when lying on your side, and a soft pillow under your knees when lying on your back.

Choosing the Right Pillow

The height of the pillow should be approximately equal to the height of your fist , and it should be of appropriate hardness and softness to ensure that your neck is supported by the pillow and prevent your neck from hanging in the air.

Preventing Neck Sprains

Be careful when moving your head and neck. Do not turn or shake your head suddenly, and do not look down at your phone for a long time.

Protect your neck from cold. The air conditioning temperature should not be lower than 26℃ in summer. Do not blow cold air directly at the head, shoulders and neck. Do not take a cold shower after sweating.

Strengthen your exercise

Under the guidance of professional rehabilitation physicians, targeted exercises are carried out to strengthen the muscle strength and stability of the neck and shoulders according to one's own conditions.

Actively participate in sports activities, such as swimming, jogging, radio gymnastics, Tai Chi, Ba Duan Jin, etc. , can strengthen the neck and shoulder muscles.