Neck Pain Caused By Muscle Inflammation: What to Do and How to Treat
Sleeping with an open window frequently results in unfavorable outcomes. The next day, you may experience sharp and burning pain in your neck, which worsens with every movement. Let's look at what to do if your neck pain is caused by muscle inflammation and how to treat it.
What can cause neck muscle inflammation?
Sleeping with an open window or being in a draft for a long time may lead to muscle inflammation in any part of your body. Mostly, it affects the upper, middle, or lower back muscles, upper front muscles, and arms.
This condition usually affects people over 40, but younger individuals may also have this problem.
Other possible causes of neck muscle stiffness and inflammation:
- constantly being under stress
- sudden temperature changes (from 104°F to 64.4°F)
- a sedentary lifestyle and poor posture
- sleeping in an awkward position.
Symptoms
There are several obvious signs that you have muscular inflammation in your neck:
- asymmetric neck pain is more noticeable in the morning
- possible redness of the skin at the site of inflammation.
- limited mobility
- muscle weakness and fatigue
- dizziness
- stiffness
- burning pain
Treatments
First of all, to find out the real cause of your neck pain, you should consult with a specialist. But if your neck pain is caused by muscle inflammation, you may try the following remedies:
1. Acupuncture combined with manual therapy. This treatment method is offered by the Tibetan School of Medicine and performed in several sessions. It can improve blood flow, accelerate the removal of metabolic products from the body, and increase the supply of oxygen to tissues, which promotes muscle recovery.
2. OTC creams and gels (such as Icy Hot or Aspercreme. You can buy it at any pharmacy. First, test a cream on a small skin area. If you have no allergic reaction, gently apply it to the affected area and rub slowly in a circular motion. Then you must wrap your neck in a warm scarf, lie down on a pillow, and completely relax your muscles.
3. Create an optimal indoor microclimate. Regulate the air temperature using an air conditioner. Make the temperature at your home not too cold, so you won’t need extra clothing, and not too hot, so you won’t sweat. Do not open windows at the time of using the conditioner. If you don’t have it, try to open windows, but avoid sitting too close to them.
4. Gentle massage of the neck. Apply a small amount of massage oil or heating cream to the affected area and massage the muscles with light movements.
5. Heating pads or compress. Try to apply it to the affected area for 10-20 minutes and rub it with a scarf. After the procedure, wear something warm to prevent the muscles from cooling too fast.
When to see a doctor?
If you have neck pain, you need to see your therapist or neurologist. After examination and initial diagnosis, you may be referred to:
- rheumatologist;
- massage therapist;
- physiotherapist;
- osteopath.
You can try the remedies above to ease your neck pain, but you should immediately contact your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms:
- the body temperature rises
- your neck pain persists for 2-3 days
- the lymph nodes become inflamed
- headache
- swollen glands
- trouble swallowing or breathing
- numbness in your arm
- pain that radiates down your arms or legs
- inability to move your arms or hands
- inability to touch your chin to your chest
- bladder or bowel dysfunction
If your neck pain is left untreated, it can lead to severe complications and necessitate surgery.
Conclusion
The neck pain caused by muscle inflammation can be a very unpleasant thing. Burning pain, limited motions, stiffness, and dizziness are the easiest possible symptoms. To treat this condition you may try to use heating pads or compress, massage, or OTC creams and gels. But the best option would be to consult the doctor first.
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