How many days stiff neck

For example, meningitis can cause a stiff neck by infecting and inflaming the meninges, which are the protective membranes surrounding the spinal cord and brain. If you experience fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, or other signs of an infection along with your stiff neck, seek medical attention immediately. See Osteomyelitis, a Spinal Infection. Neck Strain: Causes and Remedies. Text Neck Treatment and Prevention. You are here Blog. By Marco Funiciello, DO. Neck Strains and Sprains Video Save.

Editor's Top Picks. Apply the ice for up to 20 minutes at a time, taking 20—minute breaks. Some people alternate using ice and heat on a muscle strain. Using heating pads or a taking hot bath can help relax tense muscles and provide relief. If applying ice, heat, or both does not relieve the pain of a stiff neck, taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs may help. Some examples include ibuprofen and naproxen, which can reduce swelling and relieve pain.

If a person has a health condition and is taking other medications, they should ask a doctor before using NSAIDs. Stretch the neck muscles by gently and slowly moving the head from side to side. Roll the shoulders forward and backward.

Stop if the stretches cause pain. Sometimes, a mattress that is too firm or not supportive enough can cause neck pain. A pillow that is the incorrect size or firmness may also cause a stiff neck.

The head, neck, and back should be in an aligned position during sleep. The pillows that a person uses should suit their sleeping position. A firmer, larger pillow may work well for side sleepers. Back sleepers may need a flatter pillow that supports the head and neck without forcing them into a forward position.

Slouching can gradually pull the neck muscles and cause stiffness and pain. A person should focus on keeping the shoulders, neck, and back in a straight line throughout the day. Wearing a posture-correcting device may help, as can setting reminders and alarms on a cell phone or computer.

Ongoing stiffness in the neck accompanied by a headache or jaw pain upon waking can be a sign of nighttime teeth grinding , or bruxism. A dentist can check the teeth for signs of wear from grinding, and they may look at the alignment of the jaw. Some people wear a custom-made teeth guard at night to protect the teeth from further damage. This may also alleviate pressure on the jaw and neck muscles. A licensed massage therapist may help provide relief from tense, sore muscles.

Although research has not yet proven that massage is effective, a study from found that massage did improve pain for people with neck arthritis. Other research published in the journal Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice found that having a professional massage can help relieve stress, which may indirectly help with stiffness in the neck. There is no way to completely avoid stress.

However, learning to manage it can reduce tension in the neck. Apply ice for 20 minutes a few times a day to help relieve neck inflammation. You can also alternate between applying ice and heat. Taking a warm bath or shower or using a heating pad may also help.

Over-the-counter pain relievers like the following can help reduce the pain:. Stretching can help relieve the pain and stiffness, and prevent it in the future. Sudden movements can cause more inflammation, pain, and a more serious injury. Apply a heating pad or take a warm shower before stretching. Acupuncture involves inserting needles into specific pressure points on your body.

While more scientific research is needed to identify proven benefits, acupuncture has been practiced for thousands of years in Eastern medicine. Visit only a certified practitioner with sterile needles. A licensed chiropractor can manipulate muscles and joints to provide pain relief. This type of therapy can be uncomfortable or painful to some. You can discuss your comfort with a doctor. If your neck stiffness and pain started after performing physical activity, you should limit that activity until the stiffness resolves.

However, you should limit heavy lifting and activities that may aggravate your neck muscles any time you have neck pain. Stress can cause you to tense the muscles in your neck. Reducing stress can help treat and prevent neck pain and stiffness. You may choose to reduce stress in a variety of ways, including:. Exercise can help strengthen your muscles to prevent injuries. Exercise can also help you to improve your posture to relieve and prevent neck stiffness.

Adjusting your sleep environment can help relieve a stiff neck. Ways to change your sleep environment include:. If your neck pain interferes with your regular daily activities, you should see your doctor.

Other reasons you should seek medical care are:. These additional symptoms could be a sign of a more serious injury to your neck, like a herniated disk , pinched nerve , bulging disk , or arthritis. Most of the time, a stiff neck with minor pain can be treated at home with ice, heat, and stretching.