NATURAL REMEDIES CAUSES AND TIPS TO AVOID A STIFF NECK

Holding the neck in an abnormal position for a long period, a poor posture in front of the TV or in the office, an involuntary contraction of the cervical spine, can cause as a consequence an annoying stiff neck.

The stiff neck is a pseudo-pathological condition characterized by neck's limited mobility (or a block), always accompanied by an intense neck pain.

The stiff neck is a common disorder but it is extremely painful, due to a contraction of the lateral muscles of the neck.

Luckily, the painful condition is transitory, that tends to resolve within few days or within a few weeks after the onset of symptoms.

There are, however, some relapses.

In addition to the causes listed above, even viral infections, inflammation and injury of the cervical spine can cause stiff neck. A patient suffering from stiff neck complains of difficulty in flexing the neck; every movement produces a local and unbearable pain.

Instinctively, a person tends to move the neck as little as possible but this is absolutely wrong :

Movement is good for the muscles that generate discomfort, or, in severe cases, the pain (in this case the sternocleidomastoid muscle placed vertically on the sides of the neck and the trapezius, between shoulders and nape).

The perfect treatment for a stiff neck should be established on the basis of the underlying cause, usually, a neck pain can be solved by a simple treatment with creams for local use.

When there’s not a severe neck injury it is possible to solve the problem with simple remedies available to everyone:

- wrap up your neck with a woolen scarf

- alternate hot and cold compresses

- apply natural anti-inflammatory creams.

A study conducted by the physiotherapists and orthopedists from the University of Ontario and the New York Medical School reveals that would be sufficient (for cases of non-acute stiff-neck), some stretching exercises you can easily do at home.

It's not always necessary to resort to prescriptions to treat a stiff neck.

In this sense:

Yoga, stretching and Qi gong are perfect for physical health. These exercises are related to the traditional Chinese medicine, based on meditation, mental concentration, breath control and specific movements for the health and mental well-being.

One of the exercises recommended to prevent headache, stiff neck, shoulder and arm pain, consist of sitting crossed-legged, the arms are bent so that your hands (palm down) can be joined in front of your chest, and the elbows are at shoulder height.

To do the exercise with the correct technique, you have to breathe in and stretch your arms forward, then rotate to the right while your head and eyes roll to the left.

Back in the center with arms and head, hold your breath. Then exhale and gently rotate your arms to the right and your head in the opposite direction.

The entire sequence must be repeated for 12-24 times.

In the end, to prevent a stiff neck you need to avoid sudden and violent movements. Practicing sport regularly, is necessary to avoid physical problems, especially in cases of predisposition to stiff neck and neck pain.