You wake up in the morning, and your neck feels a little stiff. You turn it to the side, and it hurts. You ignore it, thinking you just slept in a bad position, which was probably true. You turn it to the side, and it hurts. You ignore it, thinking you just slept in a bad position, which was probably true. The next day your neck still hurts when you turn it, but you dont really bother. After all, youre not going to be turning your head around all day. And then, two weeks later, while reversing your car, you throw your head to the back and, ouch! That hurt! Suddenly you realize that youve been living with a pain in the neck for a while now, and it hasnt subsided. In this articleCauses and PreventionIncorrect posturePillowBedSleepingExerciseCuring a stiff neckCauses and Prevention There are numerous causes for a stiff neck. Read on to find out what causes a stiff neck, and what you can do to prevent it.Incorrect posture Do you slouch and walk? Do you have a hunch? Does your neck stick out while walking? Stand with your back against a wall, and straighten yourself so your shoulders and the back of your head are touching the wall. This should be your posture while you are walking. Is your neck jutting out at this moment while reading this article? Push it at the back, so the back of your head is aligned with your spine.PillowSleep with a thin pillow or without any pillow at all. High pillows almost always cause a stiff neck. If your pillow is lumpy, discard it and invest in a new one. Down pillows cost a packet but they are worth it. and they will help you save on expensive physiotherapy treatments later in the day.Bed Dont sleep on beds with are too soft. They are very bad for the spine and for the neck. Sleep on a firm mattress. The importance of a firm, comfortable bed cannot be stressed enough.SleepingDo you let your kids sleep on the same bed as you do, giving you little or no space to move around? This is best avoided, as it is bad for the neck and the spinal cord. Similarly, dont sleep on your stomach. This tends to twist your neck a little to harshly to the side, and this sleeping position almost always leads to a stiff neck.Exercise Exercise your neck everyday. Stretch it to the left and then to the right, slowly, as far as it can go. Then rotate your head, ten times in each direction. Remember to always perform neck exercises slowly and gently.Curing a stiff neck This is easier said than done, and you would most probably have to opt for physiotherapy treatment. However, if the pain is not too bad, you could take the precautions listed above, just to make sure it doesnt get worse. If it does, visit your physiotherapist. You may have to undergo an x-ray to rule out cervical spondylosis.Moist heat is excellent for curing a stiff neck, so if you have access to a gymnasium, make full use of the steam and Jacuzzi facilities. When youre in the steam room, do some neck-stretching exercises. Apply hot and cold fermentation to the area of stiffness. Swimming is also excellent exercise for those with stiff necks. If you have access to a pool, try and go for a swim thrice a week.
You wake up in the morning, and your neck feels a little stiff. You turn it to the side, and it hurts. You ignore it, thinking you just slept in a bad position, which was probably true.
You turn it to the side, and it hurts. You ignore it, thinking you just slept in a bad position, which was probably true. The next day your neck still hurts when you turn it, but you don't really bother. After all, you're not going to be turning your head around all day.
And then, two weeks later, while reversing your car, you throw your head to the back and, ouch! That hurt! Suddenly you realize that you've been living with a pain in the neck for a while now, and it hasn't subsided.
Causes and Prevention
There are numerous causes for a stiff neck. Read on to find out what causes a stiff neck, and what you can do to prevent it.
Incorrect posture
Do you slouch and walk? Do you have a hunch? Does your neck stick out while walking? Stand with your back against a wall, and straighten yourself so your shoulders and the back of your head are touching the wall. This should be your posture while you are walking.
Is your neck jutting out at this moment while reading this article? Push it at the back, so the back of your head is aligned with your spine.
Pillow
Sleep with a thin pillow or without any pillow at all. High pillows almost always cause a stiff neck. If your pillow is lumpy, discard it and invest in a new one. Down pillows cost a packet but they are worth it. and they will help you save on expensive physiotherapy treatments later in the day.
Bed
Don't sleep on beds with are too soft. They are very bad for the spine and for the neck. Sleep on a firm mattress. The importance of a firm, comfortable bed cannot be stressed enough.
Sleeping
Do you let your kids sleep on the same bed as you do, giving you little or no space to move around? This is best avoided, as it is bad for the neck and the spinal cord. Similarly, don't sleep on your stomach. This tends to twist your neck a little to harshly to the side, and this sleeping position almost always leads to a stiff neck.
Exercise
Exercise your neck everyday. Stretch it to the left and then to the right, slowly, as far as it can go. Then rotate your head, ten times in each direction. Remember to always perform neck exercises slowly and gently.
Curing a stiff neck
This is easier said than done, and you would most probably have to opt for physiotherapy treatment. However, if the pain is not too bad, you could take the precautions listed above, just to make sure it doesn't get worse. If it does, visit your physiotherapist. You may have to undergo an x-ray to rule out cervical spondylosis.
Moist heat is excellent for curing a stiff neck, so if you have access to a gymnasium, make full use of the steam and Jacuzzi facilities. When you're in the steam room, do some neck-stretching exercises. Apply hot and cold fermentation to the area of stiffness. Swimming is also excellent exercise for those with stiff necks. If you have access to a pool, try and go for a swim thrice a week.
