Stiff Neck

A stiff neck is all too common these days - thankfully, it can be alleviated without drastic measures or sky-high medical bills.

You will know if you have a stiff neck – you will feel the resistance when moving your head and neck in any direction, and feel mild to extreme pain whenever any effort is exerted. The result? You end up slowly and laboriously using your entire body to look backwards or turn to your sides, which can really make your fast-paced lifestyle come to a screeching halt.

Anyone can get a stiff neck, even those at the peak of health and with the best self-care regimen, so don't feel bad about it. More often than not, it's the little things that serve as triggers. The most common culprit is bad posture. For example, if you spend long hours at work hunching over the paperwork on your desk or if you shuffle and slouch as you walk, you're more likely to suffer from a stiff neck than your colleagues who move around often and carry themselves better.

As computers are now a fixture at most workplaces, monitors and other peripherals may also be the cause of your stiff neck. Putting your monitor at a higher or lower position than your normal line of sight will make you crane your neck or look downward for prolonged periods, bringing about stress to your head, neck and back.

But those are not the only reasons for your condition. Reading, watching TV and driving without proper support for your upper body would also guarantee a stiff neck. Even the way you sleep can be a factor, particularly if you doze off with too few or too many pillows under your head, or if you favour awkward/unnatural sleeping positions (e.g. sleeping on your stomach or in a twisted position).

If those factors are not applicable in your case, you'll need to review your usual body movements and medical history to pinpoint the real cause of your stiff neck. Previous accidents (like severe falls or whiplash) and sports injuries may be the reason for the pain in your head and neck. You should consult with medical specialists and let them take a look at your cervical spine and levator scapulae, weed out the possible causes, and ensure that your stiff neck isn't a symptom of more serious medical conditions.

Once you get the all-clear, you should go for methods that will relieve both the stiffness in your neck and the stress that accompanies it. The application of ice packs, having ample rest and implementing changes in posture, sleeping positions and physical activities are often sufficient remedies. However, massage is also a suitable natural treatment for stiff neck and should be one of your top considerations. Apart from loosening tight muscles and nerves and improving blood flow, massage therapy is also proven to improve one's sense of well-being. The Crows Nest Complementary Health Centre has remedial massage therapists who know exactly how to make your stiff neck say "adios, amigo!" Many of the remedial massage therapists come from a sporting background (specifically, martial arts and rugby), and have many years of experience in bodywork and non-aggressive treatment of conditions like hamstring injuries and muscle aches. Their knowledge and competence will ensure a speedy recovery along with a more positive state of mind!

Ready to get rid of your stiff neck through massage? The Crows Nest Complementary Health Centre will pencil in your appointment via telephone (02 9964 9722) or a quick e-mail to Reception. You can also drop in anytime; the Centre is at Suite 208, 3 Bruce St. corner Pacific Highway, Crows Nest, Sydney.