Spasm in the neck. Deep neck muscles: functions and causes of discomfort Muscle spasm of the cervical spine

Neck muscle spasm - This is a sudden contraction and compression of muscle tissue, accompanied by pain in the occipital region, which can migrate to the shoulder. Since this part of the body is responsible for important functions for humans: swallowing, speaking, breathing, such spasms may well cause serious complications and negative reactions.

The neck is the most mobile part of the spinal column. It consists of a large number of small muscles, which, of course, greatly increases the risk of developing spasms, unlike other parts of the human body.

Doctors identify 6 risk factors.

  1. Mechanical injuries accompanied by an inflammatory process.
  2. Sudden body movements, improper lifting of weights, this leads to, which in turn provokes the development of spasm.
  3. Working in front of a computer for a long time.
  4. Regular stressful situations.
  5. Lack of vitamins B12, D.
  6. Pathologies of the musculoskeletal system.

How to distinguish spasms from other ailments

It is simply impossible to accurately distinguish neck muscle spasms from other pathologies. After all, today there are many diseases that have similar symptoms. For example:

  • Diseases of the bone marrow, and in particular its pinching;
  • Osteochondrosis, regardless of the stage of its development.

Important! Only a specialist can accurately diagnose a particular disease; do not self-medicate.

Symptoms

Clear signsmuscle spasms in the neck– this is not a strong muscle twitching (more like normal reflexes). There may also be a feeling of heaviness and stiffness.

Symptoms of neck muscle spasm are:

  1. Minor restrictions in the mobility of the arm and neck.
  2. Noticeable swelling of the hands, mainly immediately after waking up.
  3. Inability to take a deep breath.
  4. The neck, or rather its muscles, begins to ache, like after physical education.

Diagnostics

The first thing the doctor does is collect the necessary information about the patient (collecting anamnesis). To diagnose the root cause of the disease factor, doctors may prescribe:

  • MRI, CT;
  • Ultrasound;
  • X-ray.

In addition, to identify the exact causes of the pathology, laboratory tests are prescribed:

  • General urine test;
  • General blood test;
  • Biochemical blood test (if required).

Only after studying the results of laboratory tests does the doctor have the right to make a diagnosis.


Treatment of neck muscle spasms

Drug therapy

Quite a number of medications from different pharmacological groups are used to treat neck spasms.

Table of effective medications for the treatment of neck muscle spasms

Pharmacological group Pharmacological properties Name of medicines
Muscle relaxants They effectively cope with severe muscle tension, relieve swelling and suppress pain in muscle tissue. – used to eliminate spasms, tension and to relieve pain in arthritis and osteochondrosis.
- This is a centrally acting drug that not only relieves muscle spasms, but also has excellent analgesic effects.
Baclofen, like previous remedies, effectively copes with muscle tension and pain.
Sibazon is a sedative for the central nervous system and is used for severe injuries to muscle tissue and joint diseases.
Antispasmodics Quickly eliminate spasms, pain and other unpleasant sensations in the muscles No-spa is a popular antispasmodic drug. Its action is aimed at relieving spasms, regardless of the location and causes of occurrence.
Papaverine - has a pronounced antispasmodic effect on the smooth muscles of the body, in addition, it has analgesic properties
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These are non-hormonal drugs, are not addictive, and have minimal side effects. – produced only in the form of a solution for injection. Copes with pain, inflammation, relieves tension in muscles, promotes their relaxation.
First of all, the action of the drug is aimed at stopping the activity of the enzyme cyclooxygenase. To a lesser extent, it has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.
. It has excellent analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties. And if you use the product in gel form, you can eliminate swelling in a short time.
Sedatives Relaxes and relieves muscle spasms, reduces the number of nerve impulses. Novo-passit is not addictive, since the drug has a completely herbal composition. Novo-passit has an anxiolytic effect, helps relieve spasms and general tension throughout the body.
Afobazole has a greater sedative and analgesic effect and is not addictive.
B vitamins They normalize the functioning of the circulatory system, normalize all metabolic processes, help eliminate chronic fatigue, support the immune system, and are good for strengthening the entire body.
Combilipen


Hot baths and compresses

Hot baths and various compresses have an antispasmodic effect. In the case ofdeep spasm of neck muscles treatmentDoctors advise using cold compresses. And immediately after it you need to take a hot bath. It is this scheme - from cold to heat - that helps to relieve muscle tension and eliminate spasms in a short time. Cold compresses reduce pain, and a warm bath relaxes the neck muscles.

Important! Cold compresses or just ice only work for the first 2 days, after which it will be pointless to do so. Ice is applied no more than three times a day, only in this case can you get the desired effect. All procedures are performed with extreme caution to avoid frostbite.


Self-massage

To perform a massage correctly, you must adhere to the following rules:

  1. The neck area needs to be massaged simultaneously with the shoulders and articular part;
  2. All massaging movements are done from top to bottom, starting from the back of the head;
  3. The massage should be performed with both hands, but if it is uncomfortable, you can take turns.

Massage:

  1. Stroke the back of the head with moderate force.
  2. Then gently begin to stretch your neck with your fingertips. You need to perform the exercise in a circular motion.
  3. Grab and release the skin.
  4. Stretch your muscles from side to side.
  5. Pat the back of your neck.

Performing such self-massage on a regular basis will help eliminate not only neck spasms, but also prevent most diseases of the cervical spine.


Physiotherapy

Therapy neck muscle spasmis based not only on the use of medications, but also physiotherapeutic procedures have proven themselves:

  • Electrophoresis is simply a great way to relieve muscle tension. When using medications together, this method becomes twice as effective. The procedure helps saturate the blood with oxygen, nourishes skin cells and normalizes blood circulation;
  • Acupuncture reduces pain, reduces swelling and relieves inflammation, quickly relieves muscle tension, and activates the production of hormones;
  • Magnetotherapy doctors use a special device to influence the blood. This eliminates spasms and sinks into the muscles.

Consequences of lack of treatment

In the absence of any treatment, spasm of the neck muscles begins to negatively affect the entire human body. Over time, nerve fibers and blood vessels, including arteries, are compressed. Which entails complete immobility of one of the arms and head. In addition, vision and mental functioning may be severely affected.

Prevention

  1. Active lifestyle.
  2. Eight hours sleep.
  3. Proper and healthy nutrition.
  4. Morning exercises.
  5. Avoid hypothermia.
  6. See a doctor promptly.

It is important to know that neck spasms can be isolated, that is, a consequence of heavy physical exertion. In this case, you can simply take any mild analgesic, and the unpleasant feelings will go away.

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01.06.2019

Muscle spasms in the neck are common. This involves one or more muscles that become painfully tight. Knowing the causes of this condition, you can reduce the risks of their occurrence.

How do neck spasms occur?

Neck spasms usually have a sudden onset, but can also begin gradually. Many people with neck spasms experience one or more of the following conditions:

  • Constant or throbbing neck pain, which can range from dull or mild to sharp or burning, and can also travel to the arm.
  • Reduced range of motion in the neck and head, sometimes resulting in a stiff neck that cannot move in certain directions, such as bending or turning to the side.
  • Convulsions muscles, which may feel like a tight knot and/or include sharp pain.
  • Headpain, which may begin at the same time as a neck spasm or perhaps as a result of ongoing spasm and stress.

If the neck spasm involves severe pain or pulls the head in one direction, it may also include:

  • Vision problems, such as an inability to hold your head still or blurred vision;
  • Dizziness or problems with orientation in space;
  • Fatigue from excessive head movements, severe pain and/or increased stress levels

Potential Causes of Neck Spasm

The exact mechanisms involved in the development of cervical spasms are not fully understood. However, there are several factors that influence their development:

Strain or sprain. A small tear or strain in the neck muscle can cause a spasm. And it, in turn, acts as a protective mechanism against further stretching. An injury or strain to a nearby ligament can cause a reflex muscle spasm in which the uninjured muscle tightens to protect the nearby damaged ligament.

Overexertion or fatigue. When a muscle is overworked, it is at increased risk of developing pain and spasm. Some evidence suggests that muscles worked in high temperature environments are also at increased risk of muscle cramps.

Herniated disc. If there is a herniated disc in the cervical spine, then an inflammatory process begins in the nearby muscles, which leads to pain and spasm.

Facet joint osteoarthritis. When the protective cartilage of the facet joint begins to wear down, adjacent vertebrae begin to rub against each other. Bone spurs (osteophytes) may grow in an attempt to stabilize the joint, increasing inflammation and the risk of nerve compression, both of which can contribute to neck spasms.

Peripheral neuropathy. Nerves that branch outside the spinal canal to different parts of the body are called peripheral nerves. If a peripheral nerve in the neck becomes damaged, such as from illness or injury, it may not work properly, sending too many signals or altered signals. Peripheral neuropathy can potentially lead to a variety of sensory, reflex and motor problems, including muscle spasms.

Myofascial pain syndrome. This chronic condition occurs when painful trigger points develop in the muscles and/or their connective tissues (fascia). When this happens, the muscles in or near the neck are usually involved. They may become tight and spasm, and the pain may increase and spread to the head or further down the shoulder, arm, and/or upper back.

Cervical dystonia. Also called spasmodic torticollis, this rare and painful disorder involves involuntary neck rotation and/or tilting. It can happen at any age, but most often develops after 40 years of age. The cause of cervical dystonia is not fully understood, but it may be due to genetic predisposition, and it has also been associated with brain contusion.

Neck spasms usually go away within minutes or hours, but can last much longer and become chronic.

For many years it was thought that electrolyte imbalances in the muscles, such as from dehydration, could contribute to muscle spasms or cramps, but this theory has not been supported by evidence in recent years.

Forewarned means protected: what can trigger neck spasms


Stress or anxiety. The physiological effects of emotional stress and anxiety are associated with neck muscle tension and pain, which may also include spasms.

Poor posture or awkward position. Neck muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues can become overworked when the head is held too far forward or at an angle for too long. Examples include hunching over a computer for hours, holding a phone between your ear and shoulder, or sleeping in a position that does not support your cervical spine.

An increasingly common problem is “computer neck,” which describes neck pain caused by looking at the screen of a phone or other wireless device for too long or too often.

Lifting weights. The neck becomes strained when lifting something that requires too much work for the muscles.

Collision or fall. A sudden blow can affect the head and cervical spine. The muscle movement can happen too quickly, which can lead to whiplash or other types of neck injuries. Some examples include car accidents, bicycle accidents, or sports injuries such as in football.

Perform a new action. Pushing any muscle through a new activity that is somewhat strenuous makes it more susceptible to tension, including in the neck area. For example, athletes are more susceptible to muscle strain early in the training season.

Repetitive movements. Even for movements and loads that your neck muscles can handle, too many repetitions can eventually strain them.

This is not a complete list of causes of neck deformity. Sometimes the exact cause of a neck deformity is unknown.

Articles and discussion on the forum

Treatment of muscle spasms in the neck is a feasible task if you approach it competently and with responsibility for your health. After all, almost everyone has experienced pain in the neck area, even children. This area has a huge number of nerves, vessels and muscles, which are often damaged by various external and internal factors, provoking muscle spasms in the neck and shoulders of various types. And how to find treatment for such a scourge, and insure yourself as much as possible against repeated attacks. This is the topic of our conversation.

I want to tell you that I have experienced muscle spasms in the calf area more than once. But one day, during the most difficult time of my life, a moment came when tears flowed by themselves, from heaviness and pain, as if a concrete slab was lying on my shoulders and bouncing. And I just dreamed of a massage, for some reason it seemed to me that only it would help me. Fortunately, at that moment he was within walking distance.

Without a doctor's prescription, I begged the masseuse to give me a course. She just saved me, found the time and agreed. The specialist is simply awesome. At the first sessions it was terribly painful, but after about the 7th session, everything returned to normal, only one muscle made itself felt, and the massage therapist felt it, it was tense and gave pain when kneading it. As a result, the pain went away, but complete relief from the severity still did not occur.

Now, years later, I understand that I should have gone to the doctor and taken painkillers at first, and followed all the doctor’s orders. But at that moment I didn’t think as I should, I thought about myself last and succumbed to intuition rather than reason. Or maybe the brain was not working at full capacity, since the blood supply was already impaired.

Still, for almost a year, which is quite a lot, there was heaviness and dull pain in the reflex zone. And all the symptoms accumulated gradually, and the bundle wrapped itself more and more (stress, emotions, worries, expectations, hard work that I had never done in such quantities, fatigue). But everything could not have ended so well.

Therefore, to whom my story seems familiar, you can find out in more detail what muscle spasm in the neck is, treatment with various methods, which muscles are involved in its occurrence, what danger this condition poses, what needs to be done first.

What muscles are involved?in muscle spasm

General concept of spasms

Let's start with the general definition of the word spasm (stretch) - cramp, writhing, spasticity - involuntary muscle contraction of one or more muscles, causing sharp or aching pain.

The nervous system always responds to strong tension with strong relaxation. This is how the body protects itself.

Spasms occur in striated and smooth tissues.


Surely, you will be interested in learning a little more about tissues in order to have an idea about spasms in general.

  1. Striated tissues are found in the skeletal muscles, in the oral cavity, located in the upper third of the pharynx, in the external sphincters of the excretory tract (anal and urinary). They are responsible for the position of various postures in space, for swallowing and breathing. With a spasm in this case, motor activity is disrupted, breathing and eating are difficult.
  2. Smooth tissue is found in the membranes of internal organs, in internal sphincters, in the walls of blood vessels. It is responsible for emptying the bladder and intestines, gastric peristalsis, the uterus and fallopian tubes, and vascular tone. If smooth muscles are involved in the spasm, then the body lets you know that something is not right with this organ. Angina pectoris and cardiospasm occur due to vascular spasm; during pregnancy and childbirth, spasms often occur in the uterus.

According to duration, they are divided into tonic (long-lasting) and clonic (periodically contracting and relaxing), in the form of small twitches to strong, very painful contractions.

Factors for muscle spasms

  • . When moving, protruding protrusions in the form of hernias or osteophytes irritate the nerve root, causing pain, the brain commands the muscles to tense, the stronger the pain, the stronger the muscle tension.
  • Nervous stress and prolonged emotional experiences, overwork. Probably, these states are constantly present with other factors, they are simply inseparable.
  • Nervous diseases. In motor neuron disease MND.
  • Muscular dystrophy, epilepsy, meningitis, multiple sclerosis, etc.
  • Injuries, bruises and sprains. What's happening? Severe pain occurs, the muscles contract in response and remain tight even when the pain goes away.
  • Birth injuries in a child’s cervical region are a common cause of neck spasms that accompany a person throughout his life.
  • Static prolonged muscle tension. If you watch TV in an uncomfortable position for a long time, work or play on the computer, carry a heavy bag for a long time, overload during training, and much more. In this state, if you do not do relaxation exercises, the inhibition process becomes habitual for the cells.

Why do muscle spasms occur?

  • With sweat, a large content of valuable salts (sodium, potassium,
  • Violation of the regime of tension and relaxation, if this occurs simultaneously, then a spasm occurs.
  • Low carbohydrate diet. Overvoltage is dangerous here.

The exact reasons are still being studied to this day.

Muscle spasm in the neck - symptoms

  1. There may be strong or small twitchings on either side of the neck area, or they may not be felt at all, just heaviness and stiffness.
  2. Movements are limited: turning or tilting the head.
  3. Localization in the hands, swelling of the hands in the morning.
  4. Difficulty taking deep breaths. A lump may form in the throat.
  5. A spasmed muscle is hard and painful.

Consequences of spasm in the cervical spine

The proper nutrition of the brain, skin, muscles of the face and neck is disrupted. Muscles atrophy faster, giving a person an unhealthy appearance.

  • The face swells due to impaired lymph outflow, wrinkles form on the face faster than desired, a double chin appears, folds appear on the side of the neck.
  • Formed.
  • The emotional state worsens (mood deteriorates, panic attacks, fatigue and irritability appear).
  • In the reflex zone, the muscles are hard and painful, but should be soft and elastic.
  • Vagus nerve pinching. It is the 10th pair of 12 cranial pairs, it is the longest and has great significance in the human body. The vagus nerve is involved in the reflex actions of swallowing, vomiting, and coughing. Involved in the process of breathing and heartbeat. When it is damaged, diseases such as migraine, neurasthenia, angioneurosis, Rhine and Meniere's diseases develop. When the vagus nerve is compressed in the cervical region, malfunctions occur in the pancreas (impaired calcium formation) and, accordingly, problems arise in the gastrointestinal tract.

With frequent spasms, there is a disturbance in the blood circulation of the brain, even a small one, most often causing headaches, poor sleep, dizziness and malaise, and hypertension develops.

What causes muscle spasms in a child?

Muscle spasms in a child have their own characteristics; the development of ligaments and muscle tissue does not keep pace with the growth of the skeletal system, hence various types of spasms often arise. And children may or may not complain, especially for newborns.

Parents need to understand what is stuck in the neck? Are there any vertebral subluxations? This is exactly what happened to my children when they were children. There were no signs of painful sensations in the neck, my daughter, she was about 8 years old, was sitting, watching TV, turned her head to the right and her neck “jammed.” I applied ointments for about 2 days, it didn’t help, the spasm, as it seemed to me that it was it, did not go away, I went to the hospital, it turned out to be a subluxation.

It happened to my son when he was three years old, I didn’t even experiment, I urgently took him to the emergency room of the Central District Hospital. A neurologist, who is also a chiropractor, fortunately was on duty that day (it was in the evening), and corrected the situation.

But muscle rigidity, especially in the back of the head, can occur against the background of infectious diseases (measles, rubella, polio), when the body is weakened and predisposed to the severe pathological condition of meningitis.

Everything that concerns children, if the cause of muscle spasms is not clear (tension in one position, an uncomfortable pillow, myositis or congenital torticollis), even without hesitation, consult a doctor, the Internet will not help. The doctor will prescribe the correct treatment, excluding a viral infection (massage, physiotherapy, drug therapy, chiropractor, exercise therapy, Shants collar).

First aid to the child should be provided with painkillers Maxicold, Paracytomol suppositories, Ibuprofen suspension is allowed, according to the instructions, for children from 3 months.

Almost all ointments are contraindicated up to 7-12 years of age, homeopathic up to 3 years of age due to the lack of clinical data (“Traumel S”, “Alorom”).

Muscle spasm in the neck treatment and diagnosis

Diagnostics

You should consult a doctor if spasms last more than 2 days.

And if they are aggressive in nature, then immediately.

To make a correct diagnosis, it is advisable to find a competent neurologist so that the examination is correct, who will find the cause of the spasms and tell you how to treat.

If necessary, electromyography is prescribed to evaluate the functioning of motor neurons. MRI of the brain and spinal cord.

Drug therapy and physical therapy

Muscle spasms are best treated in complex therapy, prescribed: acupuncture, manual therapy, pharmacopuncture, cryotherapy, cupping, massage, drug therapy, vitamins, ointments. Try working with a psychologist, using relaxation and meditation.

Almost all muscle spasms are directly related to emotional experiences.

Pharmacopuncture is the introduction of medicinal substances into biologically active points for the purpose of prevention and treatment. If relaxation is disturbed, they form, in which pain appears, and with the help of microneedles with the necessary medicine they get rid of them.

  • Cryotherapy is the action of low temperatures.
  • Hard massage of the sore area.
  • Drug therapy includes muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatory drugs, vitamins and minerals.

Drugs that relieve muscle spasms are divided into categories.

  1. Relaxing and relieving (muscle relaxants) symptoms.
  2. Painkillers.
  3. Combined (relax, relieve, anesthetize).
  4. Anti-inflammatory.

Muscle relaxants to relieve muscle spasms

Muscle relaxants relax striated muscles by blocking neuromuscular impulses. They are divided into central and peripheral effects.

In our case, centrally acting muscle relaxants are used for cervical spasms. This group of drugs does not cure, but makes it possible to perform massage manipulation or manual therapy while relaxing the muscles. The effects of drugs are divided into:

  • ultra-short - from 5 to 7 minutes;
  • short - up to 20 minutes;
  • average – up to 40 minutes;
  • long - more than 40 minutes.

Remember that you cannot use them without a doctor’s prescription; there is a large list of contraindications.

Painkillers

Painkillers are taken for strong, deep spasms, when the pain becomes unbearable. The medications contain a large amount of lidocoine, analgin: Milgamma, Meloxicam, Novocain and many other drugs.

Combined, the most common in the form of injections and tablets. They recommend Mydocalm, the drug immediately relieves spasms and relieves pain. Of the modern drugs in tablets, “Sirdalud”, its analogue “Tizalud”.

Anti-inflammatory

Anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drugs (NSAIDs) - Ibuprofen, Baclofen, Diclofenac, etc.

Physiotherapeutic treatment is applied with vacuum cups. They have an excellent effect on blood circulation and lymph flow in the diseased area.

Ointments relieve numbness and are an anti-inflammatory, analgesic: “Dolgit”, “Capsicam”, “Fastum Gel”, “Finalgon”, “Ketanol”, “Tsel T”.

Vitamin therapy

Be sure to take complexes of vitamins, minerals, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium. Their daily intake in the body prevents seizures.

It will help strengthen the deep muscles of the neck so that spasms do not bother you; they should be in “combat readiness”, that is, strong, elastic, and stretch well.

Relieving muscle spasm - Jacobson's relaxation


Jacobson's technique rules.

  1. Nobody interferes. Comfortable clothes.
  2. Every 4 days, learn and memorize one exercise along with your muscles.
  3. Lesson time is no more than 15 minutes.
  4. Repeat the exercise 5 times.
  5. When tension occurs, pain and discomfort should not be allowed.

The whole family can do it, the child will find it very interesting.

Watch the video of the relaxation technique (watch from 11 minutes).

First aid for yourself with a neck spasm

What to do if a muscle spasm occurs?

  1. Choose a comfortable position so you can relax.
  2. Try to squeeze tightly, as if to shorten the cramped muscle.
  3. Apply cold to the area of ​​cramped muscles (ice, frozen grocery bag).
  4. After relaxation, warm up the muscle with massage techniques. Make a tight bandage on the calves.
  5. Those who have periodic seizures take medications that relieve symptoms in a matter of minutes.

If it occurs frequently, be sure to consult a doctor.

Conclusion

Any inhabitant of the planet can develop a muscle spasm of the neck under the influence of various factors; it is very unpredictable and it is not always possible to play it safe, no matter how hard you try. Most people live with this disease for the rest of their lives.

I sincerely wish that you do not experience these symptoms, but if they suddenly appear, then competently cope with the attacks using my advice.

I’ll end this article here. If the article was useful, share with your friends and subscribe to updates. Tell us about your cramps and how you managed to get rid of them?

Take care of yourself and your spine!

Spasms of the muscles of the neck and shoulders can occur quite often in people who remain in one position for a long time or carry heavy weights on their head and shoulders. The spasms themselves are convulsive muscle contractions, which are very painful and do not go away over time. Frequent spasms may indicate that a person is developing:

  • osteochondrosis;
  • spondylosis;
  • diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

There are many causes of spasms in the muscles of the neck and shoulders, including deficiency of potassium, calcium, cobalamin, magnesium or water, intervertebral hernia, tumors of soft tissues, bones, hypothermia, and sprains associated with injuries. In moments of spasms, you need to help yourself in time so that the painful feeling goes away.

Method number 1 – Gymnastics

As soon as spasms occur, you should immediately begin gymnastic exercises in order to relieve convulsive tension. To do this, you simply need to rotate your neck and shoulders until a slight burning sensation appears.

Method number 2 - Heat

Heat promotes muscle relaxation, which can subsequently relieve tension and spasms in the neck and shoulder area. You can simply apply a heating pad, patches, or apply a warming ointment.

Method number 3 – Shoulder exercise

To do this, you need to relax and begin to pull yourself up with the top of your head, thereby stretching the cervical vertebrae as much as possible. Next, you need to lower your head all the way, and then smoothly rotate your chin so as to touch your collarbones.

If spasms do not leave you for a long time and occur quite often, this means that it is time to seek help from a specialist who will help establish a diagnosis and prescribe the necessary treatment.

But, if you just periodically feel tension in the muscles of your neck and shoulders, then all of the above methods can quickly relax and relieve spasms. In addition, you can contact your pharmacist and find out about some ointments that will also help improve your symptoms.

You should also not forget that if you stay in one position for long enough, cramps and spasms can occur more often. For this reason, it is worth getting up periodically and warming up, doing completely simple exercises, consisting mainly of circular rotations of the head and shoulders. In this way, you can avoid any blood stagnation and painful spasms in the neck and shoulders.

How to relieve neck muscle spasms is a question that worries patients in “sedentary” professions who lead a sedentary lifestyle. In such conditions, muscles become weaker and at the same time experience greater stress. As a result, when a sudden change in position occurs or tension increases, the neck muscles cannot cope. A spasm occurs that affects the nerves and blood vessels. Neck muscle spasms occur quite often because the neck is the most mobile area of ​​the spine.

The disease manifests itself as pain in the occipital and cervical region. Pain from the neck muscles can go to the shoulder girdle and arms. Sometimes the neck and arms become numb, and weakness is felt. To cope with symptoms, you need to relieve stress. Self-massage, painkillers, compresses, and just rest will help with this.

The following risk factors may lead to muscle spasms in the neck:

  • Mechanical damage;
  • Sedentary lifestyle, “sedentary” professions”;
  • Stressful mental states;
  • Nerve clamps after sudden movements;
  • Avitaminosis;
  • Hypothermia and drafts;
  • Calcium deficiency.

The neck muscles suddenly tighten, distorting nerve tissue and blood vessels. As a result, pain symptoms appear with spasm of the neck muscles.

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Neuroses

Spasms in the neck against a background of mental stress manifest themselves as unconscious muscle contractions, causing sharp pain. This tension can be chronic or temporary. It appears very suddenly. Sometimes as a result of sudden movements. They create unusually strong pressure for the cervical spine. As a result, blood circulation is disrupted, and the neck muscles begin to contract and ache.

To cope with spasms in case of neurosis, you need to completely relax. Eliminate the source of stress. You can try meditation techniques. Create comfortable conditions for yourself, take your mind off all problems.

Osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis occurs very often because a huge part of the world's population now leads a sedentary lifestyle. People sit a lot at the computer, incorrectly distributing the load on the neck and the muscles that support it. Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are pain, stiffness of movement, numbness. There are “goosebumps” running down your neck and a slight tingling sensation in the back of your head. If the inferior oblique muscle of the neck is spasmed, the pain syndrome may pulsate strongly. The nutrition of the brain can often deteriorate, and in such cases, patients experience pain and dizziness, darkness before the eyes, and a pre-fainting state.

To relieve spasms in osteochondrosis, you need to improve blood circulation. Massage and simple physical therapy exercises will help. Unfortunately, taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs will not help much here. It is better to use vascular drugs - Cinnarizine, Trental.

Spasm of deep neck muscles

If the spasm occurs deep in the muscles, compression of the cervical artery may become a complication. As a result, the brain will no longer receive enough oxygen. Exercising in the morning, a contrast shower, and light self-massage will help here. To soothe tense muscles, menthol gels are used.

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Spasms of the cervical and shoulder girdle

If the neck and shoulder muscles are spasmed, the pain syndrome can be either aching or shooting. Such tension can become a symptom of mechanical sprains and excessive loads. Here it is better to forget about therapeutic exercises and ensure peace of mind. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Diclofenac, Ibuprofen) will help. If possible, it is better to visit the clinic and get NSAID injections. When used externally, such drugs have the least impact.

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Trapezius spasms

If the trapezius is spasmed, the metabolic processes of the head, neck and facial muscles are disrupted. Long-term spasms of the trapezius can lead to cervical osteochondrosis. The muscles of the shoulder girdle will become rough, and if you try to stretch them, pain will occur. Symptoms can be relieved by taking a hot bath or attending massage sessions. Or folk rubbings will also help.

Spasm of the muscles of the head and neck

If you suddenly turn your head or lift something heavy and overexert yourself, a spasm may appear. At such moments, your head may immediately begin to hurt. Sometimes headaches only appear after a couple of days. When the neck muscles contract, the pain radiates to other parts of the body, depending on the area of ​​innervation of the affected nerves. This can literally lead to the inability to turn your head.

A possible complication in advanced cases is. Spasms begin to constrain the muscles of the throat, and the cervical spine becomes distorted. If the problem is not treated, the process can lead to a herniated disc in the neck. Myositis can occur due to hypothermia or draft.

Spasm of the neck and facial muscles

Convulsive contractions of the facial and neck muscles are tonic and clonic. Tonic is a common muscle spasm. It will appear due to excess voltage and low temperature. Clonic seizures are unconscious muscle twitches that can occur due to brain injury, epilepsy, or infections.

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Treatment

To relieve spasm of the neck muscles, treatment should be carried out taking into account the cause of such manifestations. If the problem is not a neurological disease, excess tension in muscle tissue can be removed by simply rotating your head alternately in different directions. Physiotherapeutic procedures are good for relieving muscle tension. Electrophoresis, magnetic fields, laser, low-frequency current treatment.

Massage procedures (including self-massage), acupuncture and the services of a good chiropractor will effectively relieve tension.

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Medication

Hydrocodone and Propoxyphene are recommended for quick pain relief. However, you need to use them carefully - they have side effects. Muscle relaxants such as Mydocalm or Sirdalud help to relax muscles and relieve tension. They must be used as prescribed by a doctor, since the dose must be calculated for a specific patient.