Fashion
What causesthe Condition known as a 'Stiff Neck'?
Rachael vander Bol-Costa,
Certified Massage Therapist
A Stiff Neck is a condition that probablyhas the highest occurrence of any muscular and myofascial dysfunction.Just about everyone has had a stiff neck at some point. And somemay even experience a reoccurring or chronic stiff neck.
The muscle that is usually causing thisproblem is called Levator Scapulae. According to Janet Travell,M.D., "When a patient suffers from a "stiff neck"(markedly limited rotation), Trigger Points (TrPs) in the levatorscapulae muscle are usually responsible."
One of the main reasons that so many peopleget a stiff neck is because the causes and perpetuating factorsof Trigger Points in the levator scapulae muscle are common activitiesand simple improper posture.
The levator scapulae muscle helps to turnthe head to the side. So for example, when sitting at a desk withthe head turned to one side (maybe looking at a computer screen),levator scapulae, being kept in a contracted or stretched position,is made susceptible to TrP activation. This can also be compoundedif there is a cool draft on the neck. Does this sound familiar?
Other factors can cause or contribute toTrigger Point activation in levator. These include walking withcrutches that are too high or spending long periods of time witha phone to the ear on one shoulder.
You may also get a stiff neck a few daysbefore showing symptoms of a head cold or sore throat. This isdue to the fact that levator scapulae becomes more susceptibleto physical stresses before the onset of an upper respiratoryillness.
If you have Trigger Points in levator scapulaeyou may experience one or more of the following: limited rotationof the head; pain when the head is turned; the need to turn theentire body to look sideways or behind (in order to avoid neckmovement); pain at rest in severe cases. The pain is generallyin the angle of the neck, where the neck meets the shoulder. However,TrPs can refer pain as low down as the bottom of the shoulderblade.
Once the TrPs have been treated with massagetherapy techniques such as Myofascial Release and NeuromuscularTherapy (NMT), any perpetuating factors must be addressed. Homestretching routines and postural changes will make reoccurrenceless likely and keep the neck flexible.
So if you are feeling "stiff in theneck" have a massage and loosen up!
Rachael van der Bol-Costa
Under The Palms