Waking up in the morning with a stiff neck and unable to get out of bed - I believe we've all experienced this. This condition is called "twisted neck" or commonly known as "torticollis". Some people recover from this symptom within one or two hours, but for others, the pain persists for three or four days. If improper treatment is applied, it can not only worsen the pain but also restrict neck movement for several days.
During a twisted neck, besides feeling pain, it becomes difficult to turn the neck to the left or backward, and even the whole body feels stiff. It is caused by an unnatural sleeping position that compresses the neck muscles for an extended period, causing them to become stiff. Using a pillow that is different in height or firmness from what one is accustomed to, or experiencing fatigue or exposure to cold air, can also lead to the same symptoms.
The most commonly affected muscles during a twisted neck are the trapezius and the levator scapulae. The twisting occurs due to poor blood circulation in these areas. Therefore, when treating a twisted neck, it is important to relax the contracted muscles, expand the blood vessels, and promote blood flow. Before applying acupressure, it is recommended to first apply a hot towel to the back of the neck. This can greatly enhance the effectiveness of the treatment.
Acupoints and acupressure techniques for treating a twisted neck:
Press the "Eye Point" located 2 centimeters beside the neck pit, while exhaling, and apply pressure for 6 seconds (until feeling a slight pain). Repeat this process three times. Next, apply the same technique 10 times at a point 2 centimeters beside the fourth cervical vertebra. Finally, use the edge of your hand to strike the neck pit five times. By following this sequence and repeating it 1-3 times, you will be able to move your neck freely without feeling any pain. (During the second and third round of acupressure, you can also press the "Shoulder Root" located at the junction of the neck and shoulder, using the same acupressure technique as the "Jianjing" point.)
If you try to forcefully twist your neck when it is twisted, it will only increase the pain and have a counterproductive effect, prolonging the recovery period to 1-2 weeks.
