Whenever a stiff neck occurs, it can cause discomfort and pain, limiting your range of motion and daily activities. Whilst neck pain occurs less frequently than low back pain, it can be more debilitating.
Neck pain can also cause sleep difficulties, interrupt your exercise regime and cause days off work. It goes without saying that Neck Pain impacts on your overall health and quality of life.
In this study looking at Japanese subject, its assessed the impact Low Back Pain and Neck/Shoulder Stiffness on Quality of Life; https://bmcmusculoskeletdisord.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12891-020-03871-5
It concluded the following. When you suffer from Neck/Shoulder Stiffness or Low Back Pain, (or both) it can lead to a lessor Quality of Life vs Subjects without Neck/Shoulder Stiffness or Low Back Pain.
Pain generator of your Neck Pain is often disc, joint, joint capsule and muscles. Depending on your age and level of degenerative change and degree of injury, you can expect inflammation, pain and functional limitation to last days to weeks.
What Are the Possible Causes of a Stiff Neck?
Some of the major causes of a stiff neck include overuse, static posture, segmental sprain, overstretching/exertion and over straining past injuries.
This can cause injury or inflammation to a structure in the neck, such that you can’t comfortably move your head/ neck. Other likely causes are:
● Poor posture while seated for long periods, wrong sleeping positions and repeatedly gazing at an object such as your iPhone. Also, those minor sports injuries and even emotional stress can create a stiff neck.
● Whiplash from car accidents and intensive sports activities can cause damage to your neck muscles, tendons, or discs leading to a stiff neck. Accompanying the stiff neck are usually other symptoms such as shoulder/back pain, chronic headache, and even dizziness.
● Other underlying conditions, including arthritis, can also cause a stiff neck.
● But sometimes, a stiff neck can also be a sign of a more significant health issue. If it is accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and a sensitivity to light, you shouldn’t wait to see a Doctor immediately.
What to do about your Stiff Neck?
Early diagnosis, early therapeutic intervention are key to reducing the impact on the injured tissues. The faster you are assessed, diagnosed and treated, the quicker we can set you on your path to recovery.
Call us on P| 02 96900911 or book online https://waterloochiropractic.cliniko.com/bookings?business_id=8196
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