Stiff neck is a common phenomenon of neck pain. Many people have experienced waking up in the morning with a stiff neck, excruciating pain, and an inability to move freely. For this symptom, people usually think that it is caused by a lack of qi and blood or an improper sleeping position. However, in addition to these causes, there may be other conditions that may be caused. This article will explain why stiff necks are often left and describe these three possible causes.
1. Lack of qi and blood
Deficiency of qi and blood is a term in traditional Chinese medicine theory, which refers to the poor flow of qi and blood in the human body, resulting in the dysfunction of various parts of the body. When qi and blood are insufficient, neck muscles and joints do not receive enough nutrition and moisture, and pain and stiffness are prone to occur. Therefore, a lack of qi and blood is a common cause of stiff neck.
In order to improve stiff neck caused by insufficient qi and blood, the following measures can be taken:
1. Adjust your diet: Eat more foods rich in protein, vitamins and minerals, such as lean meat, eggs, legumes, fish, fresh vegetables and fruits.
2. Appropriate exercise: Appropriate aerobic exercise, such as walking, jogging, tai chi, etc., to promote blood circulation and metabolism.
3. Maintain a good work and rest: ensure sufficient sleep time and avoid staying up late and overwork.
4. Acupuncture, massage and other traditional Chinese medicine**: through acupuncture, massage and other methods, promote the flow of qi and blood, and relieve the symptoms of stiff neck.
2. Cervical spondylosis
Cervical spondylosis is a disease in which the structure and function of the cervical spine are altered and abnormal due to long-term strain, bone hyperplasia or intervertebral disc herniation. Patients with cervical spondylosis often experience symptoms such as neck pain, stiffness, and limited mobility. If cervical spondylosis is not treated in time**, the pain and stiffness may continue to worsen, resulting in frequent stiff neck.
For stiff neck caused by cervical spondylosis, the key is to target the cervical spondylosis itself. Here are some suggestions:
1. Avoid maintaining the same posture for a long time: such as bowing your head for a long time to use a mobile phone or computer, maintaining a sitting posture for a long time, etc. Perform regular neck activities and rest to avoid prolonged compression of the cervical spine.
2. Correct sleeping position: choose a pillow that suits your body type and maintain the natural curve of your cervical spine. Try to stay in a supine position while sleeping and avoid twisting or bending your neck.
3. Physical**: such as hot compress, cold compress, massage, etc., can relieve neck muscle tension and pain.
4. Medications**: Use over-the-counter or prescription medications under the guidance of a doctor to relieve pain and inflammation.
5. Surgery**: If cervical spondylosis is severe enough to affect daily life and work ability, surgery may need to be considered**.
3. Frozen shoulder
Frozen shoulder is an inflammatory disease of the soft tissues around the shoulder joint. It often causes shoulder pain, stiffness, and limited mobility. If frozen shoulder is not treated in time**, the pain may spread to the neck and back, leading to stiff neck symptoms.
In order to prevent stiff neck symptoms caused by frozen shoulder, the following measures can be taken:
1. Maintain correct posture: Avoid maintaining the same posture for a long time, such as maintaining a correct sitting posture and screen position when using a computer or mobile phone for a long time.
2. Shoulder exercises: Carry out appropriate shoulder exercises, such as shoulder rotation, back and forth swing, etc., to enhance the strength and flexibility of shoulder muscles.
3. Hot and cold compresses: Use cold compresses in the early stage of pain to reduce inflammation and swelling;Warm compresses are used after pain relief to promote blood circulation and relieve muscle tension.
4. Medications**: Use over-the-counter or prescription medications under the guidance of a doctor to relieve pain and reduce inflammation.
5. Physics**: such as massage, acupuncture, etc., which can relieve muscle tension and pain.
6. Surgery**: If the frozen shoulder is severe enough to affect daily life and work ability, surgery may need to be considered**.
3. Other possible **
1. Neck sprain: Neck sprains are usually caused by sudden neck movement or external force. This sprain can cause damage to the muscles or soft tissues of the neck, triggering pain and stiffness.
2. Inflammation of the neck: Inflammatory diseases such as lymphadenitis and laryngitis may spread to the neck, causing pain and stiffness.
3. Abnormal cervical spine structure: Structural abnormalities of the cervical spine, such as cervical disc herniation and cervical fracture, may also cause stiff neck symptoms.
Fourth, how to prevent stiff neck
1. Maintain a correct sleeping position: When sleeping, try to maintain a flat or side-lying position to avoid twisting the neck. Choose the right pillow that supports the natural curves of your head and neck.
2. Avoid maintaining the same posture for a long timeStaying in the same position for a long time, such as using a computer, mobile phone or driving for a long time, can cause fatigue and tension in the neck muscles. Get up and move regularly to relax your neck muscles.
3. Strengthen neck exercises: Proper neck exercises can enhance the strength and flexibility of the neck muscles and reduce the occurrence of stiff neck. Some simple neck exercises can be performed, such as turning left and right, nodding back and forth, etc.
4. Keep warm: Avoid neck colds, especially while sleeping. Exposure to the cold can cause tension and pain in the neck muscles.
5. Seek medical attention in a timely manner: If stiff neck symptoms continue to worsen or are accompanied by other uncomfortable symptoms, you should seek medical attention promptly. Your doctor will make a diagnosis based on signs and symptoms**.
Fifth, the ** and care of stiff neck
1. Hot and cold compresses: In the early stages of stiff necking, cold compresses can be used to reduce pain and swelling. As symptoms are relieved, warm compresses can be applied to improve blood circulation and speed recovery.
2. Massage and acupuncture: Massage relieves muscle tension and relieves pain. Acupuncture can be achieved by stimulating acupuncture points and harmonizing qi and blood. But please do it under the guidance of a professional.
3. Take reasonable rest: After stiff necking, avoid overusing the painful area and give the neck plenty of rest.
4. Progressive exercise: After the pain is relieved, some progressive neck exercises, such as neck flexion and extension, left and right lateral curvature, etc., can be performed to help restore neck function.
5. Adjust your living habits: Avoid holding the same position for a long time and perform regular neck movements to prevent the recurrence of stiff neck.
Summary
Although stiff neck is common, there can be many kinds of stiff necks**. In addition to insufficient qi and blood, diseases such as cervical spondylosis and frozen shoulder may cause stiff neck. Knowing these and taking precautions accordingly can help us reduce the occurrence of stiff neck and maintain a healthy neck. At the same time, for the ** and care of stiff neck, we can take a variety of ways such as hot compress, cold compress, massage, acupuncture and moxibustion to relieve symptoms and promote recovery. By adjusting our lifestyle habits and doing gradual** exercises, we can prevent the recurrence of stiff neck and maintain a healthy neck.