Stiff Neck and Headache: Causes and Treatment

We are going to tell you that “Stiff Neck and Headache”? You’ll also be going to know “Causes and Treatment of Stiff Neck and Headache” and most importantly “What to do“.

Stiff Neck

Difficulty in moving the neck and soreness can be seen in Stiff Neck, especially when trying to move the neck to the other sides. It can also be accompanied by other pains like headache, Neck Pain, arm pain or shoulder pain. In order to look sideways, the person may need to make the whole body instead of the stiff neck. 

Everybody is familiar with the pain and inconvenience of the stiff neck, whether it happened while walking or doing any strenuous activity, like moving heavy weights from somewhere. In many cases, stiffness and pain can go away within one week.

Headache

Headache can be seen when your neck muscles tense up.

Tension Headaches

A tension headache can cause mild, moderate or intense pain behind your eyes and in your neck and head, it is also the most common type of headache. Some people say that tension headaches make it feel like there is a tight band around their forehead.

Most people experience episodic headaches. It can occur one or two times per month. However, tension headaches can also be chronic

These are some of the sources of Tension Headache –

1. Anxiety
2. Stress
3. Lack of Sleep

These may result in tightened muscle in the back of your neck and the base of your skull.

Treating Tension Headache

These medication are recommended to treat Tension Headache

1. Prescription Pain Relievers – tromethamine (Toradol), Naproxen (Naprosyn), Indomethacin (Indocin).
2. Over-the-counter Pain Relievers – This includes Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) or Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
3. Triptans – Example Sumatriptan (Imitrex) this can be prescribed to some experiencing Tension Headache with Migraine.

It is recommended to take a massage or physiotherapy to relieve the tension in your neck and shoulder. Samarpan PhysioTherapy in Ahmedabad is one of the Best Physiotherapy in Ahmedabad, which provides Walk In Clinic as well as Home Visit Physiotherapy Services.

Herniated Cervical Disk Causing Headache and Stiff Neck

When you have pain in your upper back or neck that you have never experienced before then you might have herniated cervical disk. Sometimes, you may experience it without any symptoms, it is a common health problem as you age.

Causes of Herniated Pain

The cause can not be said as exactly what causes herniated cervical disk, as it comes slowly and sometimes without showing any symptom. But these are some of the general reasons behind herniated cervical disk –

1. Age – When we are young our disk has a lot of water in it but, as we grow old the water stored by disk gets decreased. This makes disks less flexible. And if they try to move or turn then the chances of herniating Increases. It is recommended to the older people to turn or move with less force.
2. Movement – Sudden, Jarring motions can cause herniated cervical disk
3. Genetics – Herniated cervical disk can be a genetic problem causing the family members.
4. Sudden Strain – If anybody lift or turn or twist the upper body very quickly or suddenly then it can happen

Preventing from Stiff Neck and Headache

There are some things that you can practice at your home to prevent yourself from Stiff Neck and Headache

1. Adjusting Your Sleep Posture – Try to sleep with your neck and head aligned with the body
2. Practicing Good Posture – When standing or sitting the shoulders must be in a straight position over your hips.
3. Customizing your Workspace – Place your computer at your eye level, sit in a straight position that your knees are jst below your hips.
4. Take Breaks – Take small breaks if there is a need to sit or stand for longer timings.

When to Visit Your Doctor?

Stiff Neck and Headache generally goes away after some time but there may be some situation that may worsen it below are some situations when you need to see the doctor

1. A serious injury reason for your stiff neck.
2. You have numbness down our arms and a stiff neck
3. Yo experience fever along with your neck stiffness and headache
4. Eye pain along with neck stiffness and headache

You can also visit Samarpan Physio Clinic in Ahmedabad for booking an appointment call us on 9898607803

Author: Nitesh Dhameliya

Physiotherapist, Ahmedabad Clinic Name : Samarpan Physiotherapy Clinic Nikol Nava Naroda Branch 11, Vedant Bunglow, Opp. Radhe Bunglow Part -2 Haridarshan Char Rasta, Nikol Naroda Road Behind. Shalby Hospital, near Fortune Circle, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 382330