After the Spring Festival, the hospital's emergency department has seen a small peak in patients with stiff necks, mostly caused by injuries from playing WeChat and Alipay red packet games during the holiday. Is it caused by excessive force? What are some quick treatment methods?
Is stiff neck caused by excessive force?
The causes of stiff neck mainly include muscle strain, such as poor sleeping posture during the night, with the head and neck in a prolonged twisted position; or using an inappropriate pillow during sleep, too high, too low, or too hard, causing overextension or overflexion of the head and neck, leading to tension in the muscles on one side of the neck and misalignment of the cervical vertebrae, resulting in static damage over time, causing stiffness, discomfort, and limited movement.
Feeling cold, such as exposure to cold during sleep or seeking coolness in hot summer, can cause stagnation of blood and qi in the neck and back, leading to stiffness, pain, and limited movement.
Quick treatment methods for stiff neck
Massage therapy - Acupoint for stiff neck
Location: The acupoint for stiff neck is on the back of the hand, between the second and third metacarpal bones, about 1 centimeter behind the knuckles. When touching with the fingers towards the wrist, press about a finger width above the point where the bone becomes narrower, and there will be a strong tenderness.
Method: Use the fingertip of the thumb to press and rub the acupoint for stiff neck, and at the same time, move the fingers of the hand being pressed to enhance the pressure sensation of the acupoint. While massaging the hand, slowly move the neck: slightly extend the head forward, slowly retract it from the lower front, bringing the chin closer to the hollow above the sternum, keeping the neck muscles relaxed, and then gently and slowly rotate the head left and right, gradually increasing the range of motion, and gradually extend the neck until it returns to the normal position. Rotate within the range where pain is minimal.
Efficacy: After about 5-10 minutes, the pain will significantly alleviate. This method not only treats stiff neck, but also prevents cervical spondylosis. It can also relieve arm pain and stomach pain.
Note: Pay attention to distinguishing between stiff neck and early cervical spondylosis. The latter is best treated in a hospital.
Simple exercises to treat stiff neck
In addition to the above acupoint therapy, the following self-therapies have good effects on stiff neck. These methods do not require assistance or cost money. They can be self-treated without side effects or adverse reactions, and they also have certain benefits for the prevention and treatment of cervical spondylosis.
1. Stretching the neck: Can be done sitting or standing, straighten the chest, first stretch the neck upward as much as possible, until it cannot be stretched any longer, then contract it downward as much as possible, when it cannot be contracted any shorter, switch back to stretching upward. This can prevent adhesion of the neck muscles. Repeat the stretching and contracting 30 times.
2. Rotating the neck: Can be done sitting or standing, first rotate the neck as far to the left as possible, looking at the left shoulder, pause for 5 seconds, then rotate the neck to the right, looking at the right shoulder, rotate left and right 20 times each.
3. Lightly kneading the neck: Undo the top button of your shirt, rub the palms of both hands until warm, extend the neck upward as much as possible, use both palms to lightly knead and rub the neck, starting lightly and gradually increasing the pressure until the area becomes warm.
4. Tilting the head left and right: Can be done sitting or standing, arms naturally hanging down, first tilt the head to the left, trying to touch the left shoulder with the left ear, then tilt the head to the right, trying to touch the right shoulder with the right ear, tilt the head left and right 20 times.
5. Bending and stretching the head: Can be done sitting or standing, first lower the head, try to bring the chin as close to the chest as possible, pause for 5 seconds, then tilt the head back as much as possible, looking at the sky or ceiling, pause for 5 seconds, then lower the head again, repeat this motion 20 times.
