Therapy
Among the most important measures that can be applied independently in the case of a stiff neck caused by muscular tension are those that primarily relax the muscle and promote its blood circulation. It is always helpful to carefully massage the affected muscle areas (preferably by a trained physiotherapist) and to apply heat, such as warm relaxing baths or showers, hot water bottles, cotton scarves, neck wraps, heat plasters, such as a hot water bath or shower. e.g. ThermaCare®, from the pharmacy or hot rolls (roll up towel to roll, pour hot water over it, lay it on the affected area and roll it up little by little – ATTENTION: Danger of scalding if it is laid on too long!)
Light stretching and movement exercises can also help to loosen the stiffened neck and loosen the hardening. Simple painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can help to relieve the pain, but the dosage should always be discussed with the treating family doctor. If the trigger of the stiff neck is an inflammatory or infectious process, the treating physician must initiate an extended drug therapy.
If the tension is caused by poor posture in everyday life or degenerative spinal diseases, a prescription for regular physiotherapy can also be helpful. The individual exercises for stretching, relaxation and balanced strengthening of the affected musculature, as well as the posture correction performed by the physiotherapist in everyday situations, can reduce tension and prevent a reoccurrence of stiff neck. In addition, an attempt should be made to relieve excessive stress in everyday life and to avoid drafts in the neck area.
Attention should also be paid to an optimal sleeping position. If the tensions and hardenings do not subside by their own efforts or if they persist for an unusually long time, consultation and a detailed investigation of the causes by a doctor or orthopedist is recommended. In addition, further therapeutic measures, which are exclusively carried out by a doctor, are optional: an injection of pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory agents directly into the affected, stiffened muscle, can locally promote relaxation and relieve the restrictive pain.
In the same way, the use of acupuncture and manual therapy or chiropractic by specially trained doctors can lead to the release of joint blockages and tension. However, if the cause of the stiff neck is somewhat more serious and there is, for example, a herniated disc, it is possible that in some cases even more invasive procedures will have to be performed in addition to the previously mentioned therapeutic measures in order to eliminate the symptoms. These primarily include injections of a cortisone painkiller mixture under X-ray control near the spinal column or nerve roots or even a surgical intervention as the last resort.
