At First Health, our team provides sports medicine and orthopedic care services that focus on getting our patients back to good health while improving their functional and athletic performance. Our physical therapists use the highest quality and level of training to ensure our patients get back on their feet and return to their healthy, normal, and active lifestyles. One-on-one therapy is every session, so our patients receive the attention they need, and our therapists see improvements. Our office offers all services, including treatment for back, shoulder, knee, hip, and neck relief in midtown.
What Causes a Stiff Neck?
Stiff neck is a prevalent issue seen in many people. Typically, this issue is characterized by soreness and difficulty moving the head, most commonly from side to side, giving the neck a “stiffness feeling.” Along with a limited range of motion in the neck, headaches, arm pain, and shoulder pain could be associated with stiffness in the neck. People often wake up feeling like they have a stiff neck from either sleeping wrong or feel it later in the day from moving it the wrong way. Over time, a stiff neck could go away, but more issues and pain could come down the line if not taken care of or appropriately treated. Contact First Health PT neck relief in midtown today!
A stiff neck is characterized as a sprain of the soft tissue in the neck or a muscle strain; however, the levator scapulae muscle is the most susceptible to injury. Here are some of the most common ways to strain this muscle resulting in a stiff neck are:
- Sleeping wrong or the neck being in an awkward position.
- Sports injuries.
- Falling on the neck.
- Turning the head from side to side often (such as swimming).
- Slouching/Poor posture.
- Stress/Anxiety.
- Holding the neck in a strange position (holding cellphone to ear)
There Are Also Some Uncommon Ways To Get a Stiff Neck, Such As:
- Herniated disc.
- Osteoarthritis.
- Cervical degenerative disc disease.
How Long Does a Stiff Neck Last?
There are many symptoms of a stiff neck. The pain or discomfort could eventually turn into extreme pain. Trying to turn your neck in one direction could result in more pain and hinder certain activities, such as driving, that you would typically do. It is essential to let your neck rest for a day or two before moving your neck in its normal motion. That is how long it usually takes for the soft tissue to heal in the neck. However, if the pain doesn’t go away, call your doctor to get neck relief in midtown.
How To Treat a Stiff Neck?
If your stiff neck doesn’t go away after a week or so and is accompanied by other red flag symptoms such as fever, headache, and inability to sleep, you must contact your doctor and get neck relief in midtown. There are many ways to treat a stiff neck, but the most common way is to get some rest. Not moving your neck in the usual ways you would and letting it rest will only help you and your stiff neck. This time of rest allows for the soft tissue and muscles in your neck to heal. However, too much rest, specifically more than one or two days, could result in a weakening of the muscles in your neck, which is not good.
Another effective way to treat neck stiffness is cold and heat therapy. Applying ice packs in the beginning stages of neck stiffness could reduce inflammation or swelling of the neck. Using heat to the area could increase blood flood in the neck. Other treatments such as gentle stretching and low-impact exercises could help treat the issue. A stiff neck can be annoying and painful to everyone, so receiving neck relief in midtown is crucial to allowing yourself to heal and go back to your typical and active lifestyle.
Contact First Health PT Neck Relief in Midtown:
First Health Physical Therapy is here to help you with all your needs, including neck relief in midtown. Our team is dedicated to ensuring you or a loved one can return to the fit and healthy lifestyle you once had before your injury. If you’re experiencing a stiff neck, contact First Health PT. Click here to learn more about how we can relieve your neck pain today!