The neck is considered part of the skeletal system in the human body and performs important functions that a person needs in his daily movements, and the neck is surrounded by many muscles that contribute to carrying out these functions. What is required, learn about the causes of neck stiffness and muscle tension resulting from it, and methods of treatment.

A 2015 study conducted by researchers from Johns Hopkins University indicated that neck pain is the fourth leading cause of disability, with an annual prevalence rate exceeding 30%. Although most of the pain episodes resulting from this spasm gradually recede, the study showed that nearly 50% of the patients continue to feel some chronic and recurring pain.

Symptoms of stiff neck and muscle tension

The symptoms vary according to the degrees of tension and differ from one person to another, but the most common ones are the symptoms of the locomotor system resulting from the tension of the muscles surrounding the neck, including:

• Neck and upper back pain.
• Early fatigue and fatigue of the arms.
• Pain, numbness, or cramping in one arm.
• A feeling of stiffness in the neck muscles.

There are also some neurological symptoms that accompany the tension of the neck muscles, the most important of which are:

• Headache, especially in the back of the head.
• Involuntary concussion of the facial muscles.
• Numbness on one side of the face.
• Numbness or tingling in the arm or shoulder.

Some other symptoms that may appear are:

• ringing in the ear
• Heat in the eye and blurred vision.
• jaw pain

Causes of neck stiffness and muscle tension

There are many causes of tension in the neck muscles, including:

1. Sitting for long periods of time in front of a screen.
2. sleeping wrong.
3. Carry heavy items on one side of the shoulder.
4. Hold the mobile phone and fix it on the shoulder for a long time.
5. Stress.
6. Vertebral inflammation.
7. Spinal problems.
8. Herniated disc or what is known as disc.

Neck stiffness and muscle tension treatment

A person with a tense neck can take some simple steps to control the pain and relieve spasticity symptoms. These steps aim to increase blood flow to this area and relax the surrounding muscles.

The first of these steps is a light massage of the painful area. It is recommended that the massage be accompanied by a slight heat. The hot bath plays a prominent role in achieving this goal. Repeating warm compresses more than once a day also contributes to preserving soft muscle mass and not returning it to cramping again.

After the muscles are relaxed, some stretching exercises can be started to help the muscles regain their size and maintain their suppleness. These exercises can be performed more than once a day for short and intermittent periods.

Some of the available medications can help reduce the symptoms of spasticity, especially at the beginning when those symptoms are severe, including muscle relaxants, which should be used according to the doctor’s instructions.

When should you consult a doctor?

Although most cases of muscle tension in the neck can be controlled, some of them need to consult a specialist doctor, especially if these symptoms persist for several days despite taking the necessary steps or the appearance of some other symptoms such as:

• Nausea accompanied by severe headache.
• Inability to move the shoulder and arm.
• Loss of balance.
• fever or paralysis

Then the diagnosis is made after the clinical examination and the required x-rays, and then proceed with the appropriate treatment.

Tips for preventing muscle tension

People who suffer from recurrent muscle tension or are exposed to it can protect themselves from these symptoms, or at least distance these attacks, by following some instructions, the most important of which are:

• Drink plenty of fluids, especially water, because of its importance in maintaining the suppleness of the body’s muscle mass.
• Refrain from long sitting and focusing on the screen for long periods.
• Doing stretching and softness exercises from time to time while sitting for a long time.
• Adopting healthy steps in sitting and sleeping.
• Get as far away from stress and anxiety as possible.
• Get enough hours of sleep.
• Avoid the wrong habits of carrying weights on one side and fixing the phone on the shoulder.