How to prevent that stiff neck

Ever woke up with a really stiff neck?  Your head stuck to one side?  Can't even back out of the garage?  This is actually very common.  I am a chiropractor in Everett Wa and have been seeing patients for 21 years.  About one time a week I will have someone enter the office with their head stuck to one side.  Fixing it usually takes about four visits in the office and a whole lot of stretching on the patients part.  Most patients will eventually ask me, "why did this happen and how can I prevent it?"

I usually find the patient with the stiff neck was doing some form of prolonged overhead work the day before.  This will jam the joints of the neck (cervical spine).  Reading in bed is a big cause of a stiff neck, especially if you have a few pillows under your head. Sleeping on your stomach is another issue for stiff necks.  Couch sleeping is huge for this.  So many people come in and say, "I took a nap on the couch, woke up and could not move my neck."  Another strange cause is shoulder rides for kids and grandkids.  Long car rides and sleeping in the car causes neck pain all the time.  Another common cause is sleep aids.  Many patients will take a sleep aid, sleep hard in one position all night and then wake up with the stiff neck and pain in the neck.

So, watch the way you sleep, don't sleep on the couch, check your car position for sleeping and try not to read in bed (or if you do, prop up the whole body not just the head.)  If you are going to be doing a lot of overhead work break it into 10 minute intervals and stretch the neck when you take those breaks.  Oh and avoid giving those shoulder rides to the kids.

If your stiff neck was caused by a whiplash type accident or an injury it is a little more difficult, but can still be fixed.  Chiropractic care for neck pain is widely used and very safe.  Your neck pain could be a cause of headaches and back pain.  If you think chiropractic care might help you give us a call and set up a time to speak with me about it.

Dr. Greg Beasley at Advanced Chiropractic

425/353/7246