What can you do to relieve rigid neck

By Tomás Vicente

A rigid neck is a condition that you surely know, since it is estimated that all people suffer from their lives at some point.

Although in some cases it can be a slight pain or a simple discomfort, in others it can prevent all kinds of activities, including those that are made at rest, such as sitting or sleeping.Know here why this problem happens and what can you do to relieve it.

Key points

Why does the rigidity occur?

The rigid neck is characterized by affecting the muscles of the neck, preventing natural movements from the neck, such as looking down, up or sides.

The discomfort that causes can also make it difficult to do or prevent other types of daily activities, such as working, walking, running or even sleeping.

There are many factors that can cause stiffness in the neck.The most common is the sprain or muscular distension, that is, the stretching or tear of a muscle or tissue that connects the muscle with the bone.

In the case of the rigid neck, the distension usually occurs in the scapula elevator muscle, which is behind and next to the neck (connects the cervical column with the shoulders).This can happen for different causes:

Another factor that monopolized greater responsibility in recent years is the use of new technologies, since they force to maintain abnormal positions for long periods of time, for example, holding the phone between the neck and shoulder or working for hours front hours to the computer.

The stiffness of the neck can also be a consequence of bacterial infections, such as meningitis (which causes inflammation of the protective membranes of the brain and spinal cord) or meningococemia (affects the cervical column).

How to relieve rigid neck

Pain or neck stiffness usually disappears after a few days, however, there are home remedies or treatments that can accelerate or improve recovery:

Apply cold or heat

To relieve the rigid neck, professionals agree that one of the oldest methods is also the most effective: the application of cold or heat.

It is advisable that the cold applies whether inflammation or acute injury due to muscle or articular blow or distension.

Generally, cold compresses or ice wrapped in cloths are applied during the first 48 hours after the lesion, so that blood vessels are contracted and inflammation decreases.

Heat, which can be applied by gel bags, is intended to relieve chronic pain or contractures, that is, when the muscle is tight.

This is because it favors the dilation of blood vessels and improves the flexibility and elasticity of ligaments and tendons.

Stretching

Stretching can help relieve pain and rigidity, and even prevent them in the future.The important thing is that the movements you make are slow and soft, otherwise, it can cause more inflammation and pain.

To favor stretching, heat can be applied before making the movements or taking a hot shower.You can implement the following movements:

Sleeping care

Sleeping enough and in good condition is essential for health.You can relieve the rigid neck taking the following precautions when going to bed:

Control physical activity

Exercise is usually recommended to strengthen muscles and prevent injuries, such as rigid neck, while improving posture and controls some risk factors for muscle distension, such as stress.

However, physical activity should be limited until stiffness is resolved.Overersfuerzos or possible impacts due to exercise can aggravate pain and worsen the injury.

Keep a good posture

Having a good position is very important to maintain balance, and avoid discomfort and injury.Keep in mind the following tips to relieve pain caused by the rigid neck and avoid future injuries:

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is one of the oldest forms of medicinal practice in human history that is still used.It consists of penetrating the skin with small needles into specific points of the body.

With this, it seeks to stimulate certain nerve endings of the body and relieve a wide variety of conditions.Among the different benefits that are awarded, is to reduce the pain and rigidity caused by distensions or sprains.

Essential herbs and oils

From natural medicine it is recommended to use different essential oils with relaxing and analgesic properties.While these products are still under scientific study, they have been used for decades to relieve rigidity:

Massages

Massage is a technique that consists in pressing, rubbing and manipulating skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments to reduce tension, inflammation, pain and stress.

Relaxation also increases and improves blood circulation, so it is usually recommended to treat the rigid neck.

You must consult a professional to know which is the best massage according to your condition, since there are many types:

When consulting the doctor

Visiting a kinesiologist or chiropractic can also be helpful, since these professionals are responsible for manipulating muscles and joints to relieve pain.

The use of free sale analgesics, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (motor, advil) or sodium naproxen (aleve), among others, among others.

But remember, if resorting to these or the previous options the pain endures, it is exacerbated preventing you from doing your daily activities, extends to the arms or legs or is accompanied by persistent headache, you must consult a doctor.

Fuentes consultadas: Biblioteca Nacional de Medicina de EE.UU., Mayo Clinic, Harvard Medicine School, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletic and Skin Diseases.