Fact Checked
Pain in the neck involves spasms in the neck and shoulder muscles. This is usually caused by poor posture while sitting and sleeping as well as injuries which makes the muscle stiff and result to involuntary contractions or spasms.
Causes of neck muscle spasm
- Overuse of the muscles caused by lifting of heavy weights and performing strenuous exercises.
- Tension of the muscles due to stress can produce involuntary spasm on the area of the neck.
- Poor sitting position on the chair for long periods of time and lying down when sleeping can cause straining of the neck muscles that result to pain in the neck.
- Cervical spondylosis caused by wearing and tearing of the cervical bone
- Fracture on the cervical spine
- Herniated disk on the cervical spine
Numbness and tingling sensations felt in the arms and shoulders - Side effects of some medications
Symptoms
- Limited movement of the neck
- Pain in the neck when moving the shoulder
- Numbness and tingling sensations felt in the arms and shoulders
- Weakness in muscles
- Experiencing occipital headaches
- Stiffness and pain in the neck
- Pain in the shoulder and upper back
Treatment
- Massage the affected area in order to lessen the tension and strain on the neck muscles. It also increases the flow of blood and helps promote the fast healing of the condition.
- Perform relaxation exercises such as yoga and meditation to relieve spasms of the muscle that is usually caused by emotional stress such as tension, anxiety, frustration and anger.
- Applying a hot water compress in order to treat the pain in the neck and spasm. All you have to do is boil water and immerse a soft cotton cloth in the hot water, wring out excess water and apply the cloth on the affected muscle at least 10-15 minutes and repeat again the procedure after a few hours.
- Eat foods rich in calcium and potassium content since they help maintain healthy muscles such as bananas, milk, flax seeds, almonds, sesame seeds, prunes and tofu.
- Taking a hot shower can also help with spasms of the neck. You have to let the hot water flow on the affected area of the neck for a few minutes until spasms stops.
- Press the affected muscles in the neck using the palm or fingers and apply pressure at least for 2-3 minutes in order to help lessen the spasms immediately.
- When the neck starts to spasm, move the neck slowly from one side to the other. This movement will change the spasms of the muscle by concentrating on the moving action of the neck. Another way is to stretch the neck towards one side and maintain the position for a few seconds and move on to the other side. Take note that this movement helps with the muscles spasms in the neck.
- Turning the head sideways and up and down at least several times helps can help maintain the mobility of the muscles and also lessens the tension on the neck. Perform these exercises every hour in order to prevent spasms and treat the condition.
FACT CHECK
https://www.healthline.com/health/neck-spasms
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321180.php
https://www.summitmedicalgroup.com/library/adult_health/sma_neck_spasms/