What is the reason for repeated stiff neck

It is very easy for people to get stiff neck as they get older. For example, unhealthy sleeping posture and improper use of pillows may cause stiff neck. Of course, not everyone’s stiff neck is related to the above factors. For example, due to excessive pressure from daily work, long-term work at a desk or maintaining an unhealthy posture for too long, cervical spondylosis may occur, which may then lead to habitual stiff neck.

The main causes of stiff neck are a pillow that is too high, too low or too hard, or a problem with sleeping posture, which causes excessive stretching of the muscles, joints and ligaments on one side of the neck and causes acute soft tissue injury, or not paying attention to keeping warm during sleep (wind blowing from the window or air conditioning blowing directly on the neck), which causes the neck muscles to get cold and cause local muscle and soft tissue injury, leading to local aseptic inflammation, and spasmodic pain will also appear quietly. There are also some patients who, due to staying in a certain posture for a long time, have their neck muscles in a tense state, which reduces local resistance and makes them more susceptible to the disease when attacked by wind and cold.

Stiff neck has a quick onset and a short course. Patients with milder symptoms may gradually recover on their own, but most still need doctor's treatment, which will lead to faster recovery.

In a small number of patients, stiff neck is prone to recurrence, resulting in habitual stiff neck. This recurring stiff neck may be a sign of cervical spondylosis or cervical instability.

Therefore, although stiff neck is a minor problem, it should not be taken lightly and should be treated in time. There are many ways to treat stiff neck, such as massage, cupping, scraping and other physical therapies.

Hair dryer to treat stiff neck

Massage the painful area of ​​your stiff neck first, and then use a hair dryer to blow on your neck and shoulders for about 15 to 20 minutes (don't hold the hair dryer too close to your body). Just blow until you feel the warmth in your shoulders and neck. It can improve blood circulation in your shoulders and neck and relieve pain. After blowing with a hair dryer, gently turn your neck slightly and move your body slowly to relieve the symptoms of stiff neck.

Massage to relieve stiff neck

Now find the tender points on both sides of the neck, and then massage them with your thumbs for about one minute, and then use both hands to knead the neck and shoulder muscles for about 2 minutes. Then stretch your neck upwards as far as possible, and gently rub your neck with warm palms, using the strength of your fingertips. The movements should start from gentle and then gradually speed up. The strength can also be adjusted slightly until the neck becomes locally warm. Then cross the fingers of both hands, then go around the head, hold the neck with the base of the palms, and press the neck vigorously with both palms, but be careful not to use too much force, and lift it upwards. Repeat 10 times, and then use your palms to massage the affected area using the palm rubbing method for about 20 times.

Moxibustion for the treatment of stiff neck

Moxibustion has a good effect of relaxing muscles and tendons, and is mainly used to treat symptoms such as headaches and stiff neck. Moxibustion can also relax muscles and tendons, strengthen tendons and bones, dispel wind and relieve pain, and is mainly used to treat diseases of the neck and shoulders. Find the most painful spot, then aim the tip of the moxa stick at this spot. The tip of the moxa stick should be about an inch away from our skin, and the moxa stick should be at a 45° angle to our skin. Hold it like a pen, and stop when the skin feels warm but not burned. Moxibustion for half an hour. After moxibustion, you should rest in the moxibustion room for half an hour away from the wind.

To prevent stiff neck, choose the right pillow

People spend one-third of their time in bed. The height, softness and hardness of the pillow have a direct impact on the cervical spine. The best pillow should be one that can support the physiological curve of the cervical spine and keep it straight. When lying on your back, the lower edge of the pillow should be placed on the upper edge of the shoulder blade to ensure that the neck is not left empty. Buckwheat husk pillows are of suitable softness, and people can lie on them and adjust their head and neck to find the right position to adapt to the cervical spine curve.