Learn How To Treat Neck Cramps

Want to learn how to treat neck cramps? They can occur for many reasons, such as having a bad posture for long periods, stress, muscle weakness and several other causes.

Cramps in the neck are pains that occur when you bend, lean or stretch your neck. Since the neck has a system of ligaments and muscles that work to move the head and hold it in place, it is a very delicate area.

The muscles go from the head and cervical vertebra to the collarbone, chest and other areas, forming a total of 20 muscle pairs that allow movement. When cramps in the neck occur, the blood vessels that carry blood to the muscles contract, and as a result, the load becomes worse.

For the most part, the muscles that suffer the most are the trapezius and rhomboids muscles. People who suffer from neck cramps often experience pain and problems when they turn their head to one side.

This condition is actually quite common. In some cases, you can also feel pain in the head, shoulders and even arms.

Neck pain is not considered a disease. Instead, there are symptoms that tell that something is not as it should be.

Symptoms of cramps in the neck

Identifying cramps in the neck is not that difficult because there is ongoing pain in the area. In some cases, there is prolonged pain, and in others, it occurs spontaneously.

Here are the main symptoms:

• Inflammation
• Sharp, throbbing pain
• Tingling pain
• The area is warm to the touch
• Muscle pain
• You have to turn your body to move your neck

Usually, these ailments do not lead to serious problems. Still, we should treat neck cramps in time to prevent even more painful side effects.

Causes

There are many possible causes of cramps in the neck. Some include:

• Overtime
• Repeated use of muscles
• Forced postures that require the neck muscles for long periods of time
• Exposure to stressful situations
• Muscle weakness

How can you treat neck cramps?

Usually, treating cramps in the neck includes oral anti-inflammatory drugs and the use of ice or cold packs on the affected area for short periods. The treatments aim to reduce swelling and pain. More severe cases require physical rehabilitation with a physiotherapist.

If none of the treatments mentioned above are successful, the next step may be cortisone injections in the exposed area. Surgery is only an option for chronic cases.

Otherwise, if the pain is not severe, you can try following the warm-up exercises below that will help you relax your muscles. Remember that it is only a suggestion, and it is always better to ask a doctor before trying them out.

• Stop all physical activity for 3 days.
• Gently massage the area to warm it up and help blood flow.
• Have a diet rich in nutrients for faster healing.

Try the following self-massages and stretches you can do at home without having to worry about making the pain worse. Before starting anything, keep your breathing and posture stable. You may feel some pain, but it should never be intense. If it is, stop the exercise immediately.

Use a rod

Further down you will find a couple of massage exercises that you can use to counteract the symptoms of cramps in the neck. However, these have only a short-term effect.

From left to right

• The first thing you need to do is take a deep breath and exhale slowly. Get up and straighten your back.

• Furthermore, take a bar and place it directly behind your neck, while gently holding it in place with your palms.
• Then, roll the rod gently.
• Then, start moving it around the neck and sides.
• You can also lean your head forward and to the sides.
• Continue the exercise for 5 minutes.

Push and spin

• Stand in the same position as in the previous exercise, but now you should push the bar down, and press it all over your neck.
• As you push the bar down, spin it to relax your muscles.
• Then, do the same with your pages.
• Continue for 5 minutes.

How can you prevent neck cramps?

• Avoid postures that force your neck to bend.
• Change your position often.
• Get more physical activity.

• Do not make abrupt movements.
• Remember to do warm-up exercises before any physical activity.
• Stretch your back and neck every two hours.
• Sleep in the correct position.
• Check to see if your mattress is in good condition and if your pillow keeps your neck straight.
• You can try doing special activities like yoga and Pilates.
• Put relaxation exercises into practice.

Fortunately, you can find a solution for neck cramps with physiotherapy during 2 or 3 treatments.