Neck Muscle Spasms: Symptoms and Remedies

By Upper Cervical Chiropractic of Monmouth | October 6, 2019

All the muscles in the human body are susceptible to spasms. But once it occurs on the neck, it can cause sharp discomfort every time the head turns. In layman’s terms, this condition is also referred to as having a stiff neck.

Neck muscle spasms can usually last the span of a few hours. In worse cases, the pain and discomfort of a neck spasm can last up to a few days. While it can happen without other symptoms, some neck muscle spasm symptoms people experience are dizziness, headaches, and vision changes. These symptoms are often associated with the inability to hold the head up in a neutral position.

This article will delve deeper into what neck muscle spasms are, some of the symptoms, and what to do when they occur. After reading this, you will hopefully have a better understanding of this condition to choose a remedy that’s right for you.

Nonetheless, we at the Upper Cervical of Monmouth are at your service, should you need a neck pain chiropractor in Monmouth to help you find relief.

Table of Contents

How Neck Muscles Work

Apart from movement, another primary role of neck muscles is to control speech, swallowing and chewing food, breathing, and performing facial expressions. These muscles are also attached to vital parts of the upper skeletal system, including the bones of the skull, spine, shoulders, and collarbone.

These neck muscles operate with the help of nerves that also control movement. Blood vessels provide much-needed nutrition and energy to the muscle tissue.

The neck muscles enable the head to have a wide range of motion. Not only can it nod and move up and down, but it can also turn sideways. These muscles help the head rotate both clockwise and counterclockwise.

Without the fluidity provided by neck muscles, we wouldn’t be able to do essential movements such as looking over our shoulder, looking both ways before crossing the street and swallowing food and liquids.

To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and neck pain download our complimentary e-book Simple and Extremely Effective Ways to Stop your Lingering Neck Pain below.

What Causes Muscle Spasms in the Neck?

So, what causes a neck spasm? Generally, a muscle begins to spasm as a reaction to protect itself from too much use or instability. In some cases, it is because it receives improper nerve signals, causing the same response.

You may experience neck muscle spasms or cramps when doing typical tasks like lifting a bag that may be a bit too heavy. It also happens when you sleep in an awkward position or use a non-supportive pillow or mattress. Other times, it is caused by things like having poor posture, dehydration, or straining the neck during a strenuous form of exercise.

There are also some unfortunate cases, like being involved in accidents that cause whiplash injuries. The same goes for a herniated disc caused by immense pressure on the neck.

Neck Muscle Spasm Treatment Options

There are a good number of options to remedy muscle spasms in the neck. Some of them are perfect for short-term relief to take away neck cramp symptoms. But ideally, experts advise getting to the root of the problem and finding a lasting solution.

Nonetheless, here are some of the options you can try if you want a short-term fix for your neck cramp:

Over-the-counter pain medication

Most forms of over-the-counter medication intended for neck muscle spasms are the same for body pain relief. You may be advised to take ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen, or acetaminophen, all of which you can likely find in your medicine cabinet.

Ice

Icing an injury will always be a go-to treatment for pain relief, and it also applies to neck muscle spasms. This method is usually recommended during the first two to three days after the injury.

Applying ice to a spasmed neck muscle can help numb the pain and alleviate the discomfort.

Heat therapy

Muscle spasms may need ice first when inflammation needs to go down. But when the condition becomes chronic, heat therapy should help.

The heat applied to the affected area may help the muscle relax from its tense state and help regain the normal range of motion, which was impeded by the muscle spasm. Once the muscles are warmed up, gentle stretching and massage may help relieve the tension.

Massage therapy

Getting a massage from a good massage therapist may help alleviate the tension. A professional massage therapist will know where to apply pressure to get the desired effect.

Upper Cervical of Monmouth for Neck Muscle Spasms

If the muscle spasm in your neck becomes a regularly occurring phenomenon, there’s a chance you may have a misalignment in your spine. The upper part of the neck where it meets the skull may misalign due to some of the same reasons that muscle spasms occur. This specific vertebra is the atlas, or C1.

The atlas performs several vital tasks, such as balancing the weight of the head, which for the average adult weighs up to 13 pounds. It also protects the brainstem, which is an integral part of the central nervous system. The brainstem acts as the switchboard for the signals traveling through the nerves in the brain to the rest of the body.

A misalignment of the atlas forces the neck into a stressed position to keep the head and eyes balanced and level. Because of this, the neck muscles can spasm, causing that familiar discomfort.

Upper cervical chiropractors at Upper Cervical of Monmouth can assess your spinal alignment and provide an adjustment if necessary. Patients who have undergone an adjustment can attest to its effective and long-lasting results as the best treatment for neck spasms. If you’re looking for a neck pain chiropractor in Monmouth, give us a call today or fill out our contact form here on our website. You can schedule a complimentary consultation to discuss what upper cervical chiropractic can do to help your particular health condition.

To schedule a consultation with the Upper Cervical Chiropractic of Monmouth clinic, call 732-617-9355 or just click the button below.