Stiff Neck Symptoms
A stiff neck can vary in intensity, ranging anywhere from an annoying discomfort to extremely painful, sharp, and limiting. Typically, attempting to turn a stiff neck to a particular side or direction will eventually result in so much pain that the motion must be stopped.
The amount of reduction in neck motion can affect the individual’s activity levels. For example, if the head cannot be significantly turned in one direction without excruciating pain, driving will likely need to be avoided until symptoms improve.
Dos And Don’ts For A Stiff Neck
Oftentimes, taking it easy for a day or two is all that is needed to give the neck’s soft tissues a chance to heal. In cases where pain is significant, an individual may want to use an over-the-counter pain medication or apply ice and/or heat therapy.
Wearing a cervical collar to immobilize a stiff neck is not advised. Rather, an individual with a stiff neck should try to stick to normal activity levels if possible, especially after the first day or two.
When To See A Doctor For A Stiff Neck
If a stiff neck has not shown improvement after a week, it should be checked by a doctor. Also, regardless of how long it has lasted, a stiff neck accompanied by any red flag symptoms—such as a fever, headache, nausea or vomiting, or unexplained sleepiness—should be seen by a medical professional immediately.
In the vast majority of cases, a stiff neck is caused by a simple muscle strain or sprain that will heal on its own within a few days. However, several treatment options are available to reduce pain and help facilitate healing by following one or more of the tips below.
Identifying the actions or environmental factors that contributed to a stiff neck can help to create a more effective treatment strategy.
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