Oh! that crick in my neck .

Almost everyone has gone through this pain at least once in their lifetime. A stiff neck can surely be considered one of the worst things to wake up in the morning. There can be many reasons ranging from a wrong sleeping posture to a bit too much of exercises the previous day, muscle weakness, poor posture, flexibility, heavy work, or an unknowingly straining of some muscle. Turning the neck becomes a nightmare. Neck gets stiff; a popping sensation is felt when the person moves or rotates the neck in a specific direction. Worries and stress that make you tense up increase the likelihood of a crick in the neck.

Another reason that may cause this problem is a sedentary lifestyle. Working on a computer for long hours with inadequate exercising causes minor injuries worse or may prevent neck crick from healing. In around 15% of cases, neck stiffness and pain are caused by an underlying medical condition like disc herniation, fracture, stenosis, osteoarthritis, or spondylolisthesis.

Neck crick is best treated with physical therapy. Heat and ice can be given to decrease inflammation and increase blood flow. Moving your neck slowly within pain-free limits keeps you going. Stretching of neck muscles and massaging the affected area is quite beneficial.

PREVENTION

Best ways to spare yourselves from this horror are:

• • Adjust the sleeping position: One firm pillow is better for the spine and back than sleeping with multiple pillows.
• • Expert Advice: Contact your Physical Therapist for postural corrections if you slouch a bit too much or have difficulty in sitting straight for long periods of time.
• • Use ergonomically correct chairs that support your neck.
• • Professional Help: Have your exercise form observed and assessed by a professional if you get a crick in your neck often after working out.
• • Strengthen: Some studies suggest that exercises to strengthen your neck can reduce chronic, recurring neck pain that occur without a cause.
• • Stretch: Try stretching your neck muscles gently several times a day, especially when you wake up in the morning and when you’ve been sitting for long hours. This exercise warms up the muscles and makes them less likely to get stiff.