Stiff neck pain can be caused by various conditions, including muscle overuse, stress, arthritis, meningitis, and vertebral fractures. Prompt medical attention is necessary for persistent or extremely painful neck pain, as some conditions can be life-threatening. Rest and immobilization can help minor cases caused by muscle strain.
Various conditions can lead to a stiff neck with pain and some of these conditions can be quite serious. If stiff neck pain is an isolated occurrence, the pain may go away with rest and immobilization, which means the condition is relatively minor. This situation can result from muscle overuse or muscle fatigue, as well as neck and shoulder tension due to stress or lack of movement. More serious conditions that can lead to pain include arthritis, meningitis and fractures of the vertebrae in the neck.
If your stiff neck pain is persistent or extremely painful, it’s important to see a doctor right away to find out what’s causing the pain. Vertebral fractures and meningitis can be life-threatening conditions, so prompt treatment will ensure patient safety. A vertebral fracture occurs when an impact or compression leads to a crack in the bone. The fractures can be quite small and relatively minor, although others can lead to a stiff neck with pain that can result in more serious injury to the spinal cord or surrounding tissue and nerves. If neurological symptoms occur, immediate medical attention will be required.
Meningitis is another common cause of stiff neck pain, and this is a very serious condition that can be life-threatening. This occurs when the membrane surrounding the brain and spinal cord becomes inflamed, causing pain, headache, fever, or even loss of consciousness. The brain can be affected quite quickly by this condition, so treatment should be sought as soon as possible. Neck pain alone may not be enough to indicate meningitis, but chronic or frequent stiff neck unexplained with pain can be an indicator, especially if it’s combined with fever or any of the other symptoms of meningitis.
Of course, a stiff neck with pain can simply be the result of muscle strain from overuse or misuse of the neck muscles. This can occur during athletic activity or even if a person holds their head in one position for long periods of time. People who work on computers and travelers who sit for long periods of time can experience this condition. Symptoms should disappear after several hours to days, and healing time can be improved by resting and icing the affected area of the neck and shoulders.
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