What causes cramp in the neck?

Answer 1

It's where your muscles tense up and its hard for you to move your head around. I have 1 right now, and I've had it for 2-3 days. It's bad in the mornings but worse at night. I try to stretch it and rest as much as i can.

From what I have heard do not rest and relax. It will not help. You should stretch.

I have a crick in my neck right now, and so far medication such as: aspirin, muscle relaxers, and icy hot creme have only worked a little. Relaxing will help the most.

Massage, heat, stretching, movement, relaxation.

A stiff neck is usually caused by carrying your head in such a way that the muscles of the neck are straining to hold it.

The head is a heavy object and if it is balanced on your neck and shoulders then the neck muscles have to work minimally. If however your head juts forward to look at a computer screen, for example, the neck muscles have to work overtime to support it.

If you work at a desk with the computer to the side of you and you continually turn your head sideways to look at the screen your neck muscles work hard and pressure is placed on the vertebral structure of the neck.

Think of your neck as a pole with a heavy ball perched on top of it. If the ball is balanced on the pole - it can stay there forever. If however it is not balanced on top of the pole, it will fall unless a cable is attached from the ball to the pole. The cable will work hard to stop the ball from falling.

Your neck muscles will work very hard just like the cable, if your head is not centrally balanced on the neck and shoulders.

So if you want to get rid of a stiff neck start making sure that your neck muscles and vertebrae are not having to work hard because of an unbalanced head !

Wet a washcloth and put it in the microwave for 1 minute to 90 seconds than apply to neck where the stiffness occured be cautionous not to burn yourself.

Try going to an acupuncturist.

Massage and ice packs for non-acute neck issues.

I don't know if this will work, but when I get like a stiff neck I put olive oil on it.

You need to stretch out the muscles in your neck in the place that hurts.

1) Move it around and then it will loosen the muscles 2) Take a hot shower 3) Take ibuprofen (Motrin) which is an anti-inflammatory.

== What I used to do was i would go in the shower and turn my shower mode on to massage and let it beat down in my neck.....it does not hurt it is really relaxing to me.

== Okay to me I would spin my head in a circular motion. It will be uncomfortable at first then you go in the shower and let the hot water run on the hurting spot for about 4-5 minutes. Then put a heating pack for a few minutes. Then put an ice pack or anything from the freezer for a few minutes it always helps for me

One thing that you can do is put a hot pad on your neck. This can help relax the muscles in your neck and help the kink go away. Also check that on your bed or whatever you're sleeping on does not have more than two pillows UNDER your neck. Also a wet warm or cold cloth will do just fine.

Move head in a circular motion and massage the crick gently.

Not sure you should be self-treating that. Perhaps you should see a chiropractor.

I have one of those right now and believe me it hurts!

Your head is going to want to tilt to the side that isn't sore, but you need to try and tilt or turn your head to the sore side, this will hurt! If you do it a little bit at a time it won't hurt as much. Putting heat on it helps to relax the muscle and go back to it's original position, a massage helps too. If you are really that sore, put on a collar to support your head or go to the hospital.

It may feel alot better with a collar because it doesn't allow your muscles to move but you need to move your muscle in order for it to repair itself.

Stretching is GREAT!

Turn your head as far round as you can the sore way (without puting yourslef through agony) and then do the same on the other side.

"Deep Heat" Spray helps

Neurofen Painkiller is effective.

Remember one thing though, the more you leave your head at the more comfortable side, the more stiff it will get and the sorer it will get when you try to move it.

STRETCH!

Sorry CoolSooty, but from my point of view, stretching is only recommended after the acute pain subsides. The reason for neck muscles to go in spasm is that they have been vigorously stretched beyond their capacity in the near past (yesterday or say a few hours back). So ideally they need some warmth to relax along with a neck collar (but preferably a hard one which restricts neck movement completely), which gives rest to the muscles. After a day or two when the muscle injury subsides, DISCONTINUE THE COLLAR. Because excessive use may cause weakness of the muscles and more stiffness. This is when you start stretching and regaining back your neck motion. For more details on this do read my article in related links for this question.

Answer 2

Your muscles aren't used to the movement that is being experienced while you sleep incorrectly (head turned to one side or slightly elevated) which is just like a small muslce strain.

Try with less pillows...works for me at least.

Answer 3

if you mean the sound like cracking your knuckles, it's a nitrogen bubble that pops between the joints, it's a very minute amount so it's not dangerous. it's caused by you moving a certain way and the bubble having too much pressure against it.

Answer 4

because sometime you make your neck muscles work to hard. if they work to hard, they'll get stiff and stiffness will cause a crik in your neck. you can get rid of it by putting an "hot or cold" on it or getting a massage. hope this helped :D

Answer 5

Stress, tension, and overuse of the trapezoid muscles can lead or contribute to neck pain

Answer 6

Yeah, just try not to move your neck too much otherwise it'll hurt. Running and whatever should be okay.

Answer 7

I am on my fifth day with a crick in my neck but its pretty bad... should only take a few days, generally 3 at max

Answer 8

looking up for a VERY long time. (or sleeping with it turned uncomfortably)

Answer 9

It is gas in between your bones...same for finger's or your back..

Sorce-My Dr.