2023-05-05 14:34:56
05 May 2023
Most often, pain in the neck is of muscular origin and can be relieved by very simple means. But sometimes it is a sign of another condition that needs to be monitored.
Hard, tense muscles all the way down the back of the neck, sometimes down to the back, and pain that makes it difficult and painful to move the head. This is torticollis, in the vast majority of cases due to a simple muscle contracture.
But how is it triggered? Most often because of an unsuitable posture, whether sitting or lying. But “Cervical spine or shoulder conditions can also cause torticollis; this is the case, for example, of damage to the intervertebral discs (herniated disc) or osteoarthritis in the joints between the vertebrae of the neck.says the Vidal medical dictionary.
Hot bath
To quickly and permanently relieve torticollis of muscular origin, it is recommended to adopt a few very simple measures. Lying down with your head resting allows you, for example, to unload the cervical spine and is often enough to relieve pain. Heat is also recommended, in order to relax the muscles. A hot bath or the application of flexible heat pockets can also reduce pain.
But these methods will not be enough if the torticollis is due to a herniated disc in the neck. “Additional examinations (electromyography) are performed to identify the type of nerve fibers that are affected by the hernia”specifies the Vidal. “If nerve fibers responsible for controlling movement of the arm and hand (motor fibers) are affected, surgery may be needed to release the intervertebral disc that is pressing.”
The little ones too
Neck stiffness isn’t just for adults. It can be observed in infants, following a malposition during pregnancy or after childbirth requiring the use of suction cups, for example. But congenital torticollis in infants, which can be recognized by the inclination and rotation of the head relative to the trunk, is reversible, especially if you consult a physiotherapist quickly.
To note : When it appears suddenly, and accompanied by high fever, exacerbated sensitivity to light, stiffness of the neck, violent headaches, nausea and vomiting, stiffening of the neck should also suggest meningitis. “In this case, it is necessary to consult urgently”recalls the Vidal.
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