Sometimes **neck stiffness** occurs after a lot of activity, sleeping in an improper position and injury.... By doing stretching exercises, using hot and cold compresses, and taking medicine, you may be able to relieve your pain easily. Sometimes this complication has more serious causes such as meningitis, which should be examined and treated by a doctor. Usually, neck stiffness or stiffness occurs when one of the muscles is stretched. When a person tries to move their head or neck, neck stiffness may become painful.... Also, neck stiffness occurs if one or more vertebrae are damaged... Possible causes of neck stiffness Neck Stiffness And stiffness occurs when your neck muscles are overworked, stretched, or strained. Such conditions can cause mild to severe pain that makes it difficult to move your head or work your neck muscles. One of the most common causes of neck stiffness is: ### Sprains or minor strains This complication may have happened to you for the following reasons: - sleeping badly - Bending or sitting at a desk for a long time - contracted muscles due to stress and pressure - Falling - experiencesports injury - Constantly looking at your mobile phone, laptop, etc. ### whip injury to neck or lash More severe injuries to the neck can cause whiplash....People often experience this condition during car accidents, where the head suddenly moves back and forth. Such an impact damages various parts of the neck, including muscles, ligaments, bones, and nerves, and ultimately leads to pain and stiffness.. Other symptoms include: - Headache - dizziness - pain in the back or shoulder - Burning sensation in the neck - Memory disorder or difficulty concentrating ### Arthritis Spondylosis or arthritis of the neck can lead to pain and stiffness in the neck that improves when lying down. The pain worsens when the patient stays in a position for a long time, such as driving or sitting at a computer desk. Other symptoms of this condition include: - Headache - Numbness in the hand - Difficulty walking, maintaining balance, or both - hand weakness Usually, this condition can be diagnosed with methods such as X-ray imaging, blood tests, and MRI. ### Meningitis Sometimes neck stiffness is another symptom of meningitis, which is a very serious case... Meningitis means inflammation of the meninges, the covering above the brain and spinal cord. Usually things like bacteria, fungus or virus cause meningitis.... The viral type of this disease will heal on its own.. But the bacterial and fungal types are threatening. Other symptoms of this disease include: Sudden fever with headache, stiff neck, or both - sensitivity to light - vomiting - Nausea - confusion - Inability to wake up If such symptoms occur, you should immediately consult a doctor for treatment. Read more: Neck arthritis and headache What is the treatment for neck stiffness? The type of treatment that is considered for the patient depends on the cause.... If minor cramping has occurred, you can treat it by doing home remedies: ### Ice compress Using a cold compress helps relieve inflammation and swelling... Cold compresses can have numbing effects and temporarily relieve pain... This treatment method will have the most therapeutic effects during the first 48 hours after the injury. Use the compress for 20 minutes each time and then rest for half an hour. ### Using a warm compress Using a warm compress helps to relax tight muscles and ultimately relieve pain. ### use of non-prescription drugs If applying cold, hot or both compresses is not a solution for pain relief, it is recommended to use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs after consulting your doctor. ### stretching exercises The neck muscles should rotate slowly to each side....then move your shoulders back and forth....stop if any stretch causes pain. Checking the sleeping environment Sometimes a mattress or pillow that is too hard and has an inappropriate size and strength can lead to neck pain after sleep.... The head, back and neck should be in the right position when sleeping. ### Attention to body posture Bending causes gradual stretching of the neck muscles and eventually leads to pain and stiffness.... You should try to keep your shoulders, neck and back straight throughout the day. ### stress control If you have a lot of stress, you should look for techniques to achieve relaxation.... People with high stress should see a doctor for treatment. ### Massage Massaging the affected area can help relieve your muscle pain.. According to studies, results show that massage improves pain in people with neck arthritis... It is also expected to be effective in relieving neck stiffness. tips to avoid Points that help prevent neck stiffness can be mentioned as follows: - Avoid placing the phone between your shoulder and ear....Don't look at your cell phone or tablet for a long time. - Consider proper ergonomics at work.... The screen should be in front of the eyes, keep your feet flat on the floor and have good hand posture. - Carrying a heavy bag puts pressure on the shoulders and also puts pressure on the neck muscles.... Use wheeled bags or backpacks as much as possible. - Sitting or driving for a long time puts pressure on the neck.. You should get up, walk and stretch at least once every hour. - Use a standard mattress or pillow. - You should do activities that reduce your stress, such as listening to soothing music, taking a bath, deep breathing or meditation. - Regular exercise, being active helps to reduce tension and muscle stiffness... In addition, exercise is a natural treatment for stress. When should we see a pain specialist? Stiff neck does not always require a doctor's visit... However, if you have this condition along with these symptoms, see a doctor: - Constipation with other symptoms such as headache or fever - failure to relieve cramps after a few days and performing home treatment methods