A muscle spasm in your neck feels like sudden, uncontrollable pain or a twitch VSports注册入口. The sensation ranges from mildly unpleasant to severely painful.
Symptoms of a neck spasm may include:
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Neck spasms have many causes. The most common are neck sprains or strains V体育官网入口. You have more than 20 muscles in your neck and various ligaments, nerves and tendons. Even minor tissue damage to these parts or overexertion can cause the surrounding muscles and tissue to tighten in response, causing spasms.
It’s rare, but sometimes a serious injury or health condition may cause neck spasms.
Neck spasms may also be “idiopathic,” which means healthcare providers can’t pinpoint an exact cause.
A healthcare provider will diagnose neck spasms by examining your neck and asking about your symptoms and medical history. They’ll ask you to describe your pain and identify other symptoms you’re experiencing VSports. Tell your healthcare provider about any recent injuries you’ve experienced or activities that may have caused the spasms.
They may order additional tests if they suspect a more serious medical condition is causing your spasms.
Most people manage neck spasms at home until they go away. Various home remedies can help with neck spasms related to strains or sprains. To manage neck spasms:
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If home remedies don’t work or for more serious causes of neck spasms, you may need to see a physical therapist, chiropractor or other specialists. If over-the-counter pain medications aren’t helping with the pain, a healthcare provider may prescribe muscle relaxants or give you a steroid injection.
Neck spasms are unpleasant, but they usually go away on their own eventually. Most neck spasms get better within a week. Visit a healthcare provider if you’re experiencing severe pain or your symptoms don’t improve in a week.
Neck spasms are unpredictable and aren’t always avoidable. Still, many home remedies used to relieve neck spasms can prevent them in the first place. To reduce your risk:
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If you’ve experienced neck spasms before, try methods that helped relieve them in the past. Try to relax your muscles before the most intense contractions start. That’s one of the best ways to prevent spasms or make them more manageable.
Neck spasms related to a serious health condition, like an injury, or that don’t improve on their own are serious enough to schedule a visit with a healthcare provider. See a provider if your neck spasms:
Most causes of neck spasms don’t require emergency care, but meningitis does. A stiff neck is just one symptom of this serious infection. If you have meningitis symptoms, go to the emergency room immediately.
Meningitis symptoms include:
You can’t always avoid neck spasms, but you don’t have to power through the pain. Pain medicines, ice packs and heating pads can help relieve your symptoms. Loosening your muscles by stretching, trying relaxation techniques or getting a massage can relieve the tension that’s causing your muscles to seize. If none of these methods work, see a healthcare provider. They can recommend treatments that can provide relief.
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Last reviewed on 11/22/2022.
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