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Neck stiffness is almost always a temporary symptom of overusing your neck or sleeping in an unusual position. But it can also be a symptom of meningitis, a dangerous infection that needs treatment right away.
Causes. Because the neck supports the weight of the head, it can be at risk of injuries and conditions that cause pain and restrict motion. Neck pain causes include: Muscle strains. Overuse, such as too many hours hunched over a computer or a smartphone, often triggers muscle strains.
The neck may grow stiff for many reasons. Some common causes include sleeping awkwardly, having bad posture, and slouching for long periods.
Most of the time, a stiff neck with minor pain can be treated at home with ice, OTC pain relievers, and light stretching. Lifestyle adjustments can help reduce and prevent neck pain too.
By far the most common cause of a stiff neck is a muscle strain or soft tissue sprain. In particular, the levator scapulae muscle is susceptible to injury. Located at the back and side of the neck, the levator scapulae muscle connects the neck’s cervical spine with the shoulder.
Neck pain, or cervicalgia, can have many causes. Treatments include medicines, physical therapy, steroid injections, surgery and at-home pain relief remedies.
Symptoms & causes. Diagnosis & treatment. Doctors & departments. Diagnosis. Your health care provider will take a medical history and do an exam. The exam will include checking for tenderness, numbness and muscle weakness. And it will test how far you can move your head forward, backward and side to side.