Stiff Neck Muscles

Neck pain is scary. If you feel your neck muscles gradually becoming more fatigued, you may wonder whether you’ll be able to go about your normal activities, or whether you’re going to be in too much pain to move. Fortunately, help is available. At Kosak Chiropractic, we provide fast, non-invasive treatments for a variety of musculoskeletal problems, including those in the neck. But we also want patients to know how to avoid relapses, so let’s take a closer look at neck stiffness.

Any muscle can stiffen when it’s strained and kept in the same position for too long. The neck contains several complex muscles, but the ones likeliest to suffer from wear and tear are the levator scapulae. These muscles, one on each side, connect the backs of the upper cervical vertebrae to the back of the shoulder and are responsible for moving both. They are at particular risk for wear when a person hunches forward in front of a computer or while looking at a mobile device. They can also be overused by repetitive motions, such as swimmers turning their heads to the side with each stroke, or by a person sleeping on their front, forcing their head back and sideways.

Sometimes, neck pain is caused by a herniated disc compressing a neck muscle. Our office can assist patients with herniated discs by providing chiropractic adjustments, but for people who are simply suffering strain, we can provide therapeutic massages. We will also teach neck stretches that will restore the flexibility of the levator scapulae and other muscles. Lastly, we help patients to identify areas in which they can adjust their lifestyle to keep better posture. Remember, keep your monitor at eye level and raise your phone instead of bending your neck.

Kosak Chiropractic is located at 1252 Travis Blvd., Suite G, Fairfield, CA, 94533. To schedule an appointment, visit Kosak Chiropractic online or call 707-426-1111.