Waking up with a stiff neck
We’ve all woken up with a stiff neck at one point or another. And on rising, you quickly realise how much you rely on your neck throughout the day. Just turning your head in the shower can suddenly cause discomfort or even unbearable pain.
But when is a stiff neck simply a case of having slept awkwardly, or a sign of something else? Read on to find out more.
Characteristics of a sore neck
Sore? Check. Difficult to move your head from side to side? Definitely. These are the two main characteristics of a stiff neck, and such symptoms should ease off within a day or two, though some may last a couple of weeks.
You might also experience a headache, shoulder pain, or pain in your arm. If you’re worried about these additional symptoms, call our chiropractic clinic in Torbay and get booked in for an appointment.
What causes a stiff neck?
Usually, a stiff neck is not indicative of any serious medical condition. More than likely, you could simply be experiencing a little muscle spasm. This is usually caused when you’ve had to hold your head in an awkward position for a period of time.
You might have had to hold your phone against your shoulder during a call, carried a heavy bag on one shoulder, or even just slept in an awkward position. Some people experience a stiff neck because their workstation isn’t set up safely. You can read more about setting up your workstation here.
There’s also the slight possibility that you could be suffering ‘text neck’. Take a walk through your local town and you’ll see an alarming number of people gazing down at their smartphones without once looking up. Chances are, these people may have a pretty sore neck in weeks to come. So if you’re guilty of overusing your smartphone, remember to take regular breaks!
Cervical spine disorders
Very occasionally, a stiff neck and pain in your neck might signal a problem with your upper spine. You may be experiencing a facet joint disorder (where the joints in your spine have worn down or degenerated as a result of osteoarthritis) or even disc problems (where a disc in your neck has become herniated).
If you suspect your neck pain might be signalling something a little more serious, it’s always best to consult your doctor or a trained chiropractor as soon as possible.
Infection
A slight word of warning: always watch the symptoms which accompany a stiff neck. It’s rare, but if you experience nausea, fever, headache or vomiting along with a sore neck, it could suggest an infection (like meningococcal disease) which can be very serious. In this case, you’ll need to seek medical attention immediately.
Get it checked out
If your sore neck is giving you real trouble, a chiropractor can help. A trained doctor of chiropractic knows just how to relieve stiffness in your neck, as well as being able to fix a range of other health issues related to your joints and nervous system.
If you need attention to fix your sore neck, give my friendly Torbay chiropractic clinic a call today on 01803 329799. We’ll get you booked in as soon as possible.