Stiff neck: How it happens and what helps

The neck hurts and every head movement is uncomfortable: The causes of a stiff neck are usually muscle tension and shortening, triggered by incorrect posture or incorrect strain.

According to the guideline of the German Society for General Medicine (Degam), neck pain accounts for four percent of consultations in general practitioners. A stiff neck, also known as a stiff neck, is when the neck muscles are tense, hardened and/or shortened. Movements are often only possible to a limited extent and are associated with severe pulling and pain. What helps against a stiff neck and neck pain and when you should see a doctor.

Tensions can radiate into the arms and head

Neck pain can radiate to the arms, shoulders, back, and head. Acute neck pain usually subsides after up to three weeks. Doctors speak of chronic neck pain when the symptoms last longer than twelve weeks or when the neck stiffness keeps coming back.

There are many causes of a stiff neck. Often there is no clear physical trigger. Then it is functional, non-specific neck pain.

Stiff neck: These are the most common causes

Non-specific neck pain is usually the result of muscular tension, overload and blockages in the throat and neck area. These are usually caused by incorrect posture, incorrect movements, weak and shortened muscles and the onset of wear and tear, but also by psychological factors such as stress, depression or anxiety disorders. If the muscles shorten or cramp, mobility suffers:

The neck hurts and becomes stiff. Examples of incorrect posture are the neck on the cell phone and long screen work as well as overhead activities. Leaning your head forward, up, or back puts a lot of strain on your cervical spine, tendons, and muscles.

Rarely, diseases are the trigger for a stiff neck. These include:

orthopedic diseases such as damage to the vertebral bodies (e.g. due to osteoporosis) or wear and tear (arthrosis)
rheumatic diseases
Fibromyalgia syndrome (chronic pain disorder)
Whiplash as a result of accidents and impact injuries
disc prolapse
Spinal canal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal in the area of ​​the cervical spine)
muscle strains
Warmth and movement help release tension
If tension is the cause of neck pain or a stiff neck, heat can have a beneficial effect on the tense muscles and help to relax them. Heat supports muscle relaxation and mobility. The blood circulation is also stimulated by heat. Heat can be a good complement to pain relievers.

“In the case of minor symptoms, the person concerned can try to help themselves by applying heat and gentle stretching and movement exercises,” says physiotherapist Ute Repschläger. “Anyone who has survived the acute pain should continue to strengthen the neck muscles in the long term with strengthening exercises. This enables the entire musculature to deal better with negative influences of any kind.”

Proven household remedy: heat

If tension is the cause of neck pain or a stiff neck, heat can have a beneficial effect on the tense muscles and help to relax them. Heat supports muscle relaxation and mobility. The blood circulation is also stimulated by heat. Heat can be a good complement to pain relievers.

“In the case of minor complaints, those affected can try to help themselves by applying heat and gentle stretching and movement exercises,” says Ute Repschläger, physiotherapist and chairwoman of the Federal Association of Independent Physiotherapists (IFK e.V.). “Anyone who has survived the acute pain should continue to strengthen the neck muscles in the long term with strengthening exercises. This enables the entire musculature to deal better with negative influences of any kind.”

This exercise helps with acute pain

For example, physical therapists recommend the following stretching exercise for a stiff neck and minor discomfort: “Sit on a chair or stool and make sure your posture is upright. Place both hands on the back of your head and tilt your head towards your chest until you feel a slight pulling or stretching pain in the neck. Hold the stretch for at least 30 seconds. It is important that you perform the movements slowly and consciously,” explains Repschläger. “If the exercise is uncomfortable or associated with severe pain, you should stop it.”

Anyone who often suffers from a tense neck can also take preventive action. Physiotherapists can show those affected numerous exercises that patients can carry out independently. In this way, the corresponding muscles can be strengthened and the right load or posture can be practiced in a targeted manner.

medication for the symptoms

If heat and loosening exercises do not help, NSAIDs can be recommended in the short term according to the Degam guidelines to relieve neck pain and stiffness. The active ingredient group of steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs includes, among others, acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), ibuprofen and diclofenac. The painkillers can be used in the form of tablets or pain ointments and gels.

Due to possible serious side effects, painkillers should not be taken more than three days in a row and no more than ten days a month without medical advice. The dosage recommendation must not be exceeded. Anyone who is already taking other medications should generally consult a doctor before taking painkillers.

Painkillers help those affected to keep moving. If tension is the cause, movement is essential to loosen the muscles. If you take it easy, you risk additional hardening and a shortening of the muscles in your neck, which intensifies the symptoms. “Not moving at all or only to a limited extent is counterproductive. The symptoms can then persist or even worsen,” warns Repschläger.

When to go to the doctor with a stiff neck?

If neck pain persists for a longer period of time, it is important to have the cause clarified by a doctor. Even if this is rarely the case: More serious diseases can also be behind a stiff neck or pain in the neck.

If the neck pain lasts longer than two weeks, those affected should make an appointment with their family doctor or an orthopedist and have the cause clarified. If tension is the trigger, the doctor can prescribe physiotherapy or physiotherapy.

You should go to the doctor immediately if

the neck pain was caused by an accident or trauma,
you suffer from severe pain,
the mobility of the neck is severely restricted,
stiff neck occurs,
signs of paralysis occur,
you notice sensory disturbances such as tingling (pins and needles) in your neck, shoulders or back,
the stiff neck is accompanied by severe headaches,
nausea and vomiting that accompany the symptoms,
accompanied by fever or chills,
drowsiness occurs.
In the case of orthopedic complaints or if other diseases are suspected, further examinations are usually necessary, for example by a specialist in neurology or neurosurgery.