A PAIN IN THE NECK

1 YOU’RE WORRIED A stiff neck can be a direct result of anxiety, from tension in the body as the feeling of anxiety builds up. If your anxiety is a temporary state, try breathing exercises, yoga or meditation to help you relax. However, if self-management proves a struggle, a visit to your GP or to a therapist may be advisable to help with treatment. 2 BLAME YOUR PILLOW A strain of the levator scapula muscle, which runs down the side of the neck to the shoulder, is one of the most common causes of neck pain, according to statistics. Most cases are brought on by sleeping in an awkward position and can be avoided by making sure you have a good pillow. A US study found that a pillow height of 4in offers the best support. 3 IT COULD BE TEXT-NECK Bending over a smartphone or tablet for long periods of time can lead to an overuse syndrome known as ‘text neck’. Tilting the head forward forces the neck muscles, tendons, and ligaments to strain to hold the head up. Poor posture at your work desk can cause similar problems. 4 ...OR A SWIMMING INJURY Doing the front crawl at high speed can strain the neck – as can any activity that involves repeatedly turning the head from side to side. Build up strength in the pool and get your technique right. 5 YOU HAVE AN INFECTION There are numerous lymph glands around the neck and when the body is fighting a virus, they become highly active and can swell, feeling tender and sore. 6 YOUR SPINE IS DRY The cervical spine, in the neck, is made up of seven bones separated by discs. At birth, these discs are 80% water but, over time they dry out, and as a result become more rigid and susceptible to tearing. 7 YOU’VE SLIPPED A DISC While cervical disc disease can be a slow process, a herniated, or ‘slipped’, disc can occur quickly after an injury or trauma to the neck. A herniated disc puts pressure on the spinal cord and adjacent nerve roots, resulting in a stiff neck and pain down the arm. 8 YOU’VE BEEN BITTEN A stiff neck can be a symptom of Lyme disease, a bacterial infection transmitted via a tick bite, which affects between 50 to 100 people in Ireland each year. 9 HEARD OF ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS? Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is an inflammatory condition – a type of arthritis – that affects the joints in the spine. It reduces the flexibility of the back and causes new bone to grow at the sides of the vertebrae. Eventually the individual bones of the spine may fuse. 10 IT’S WHIPLASH This results from a rapid movement of the head backward and then forward leading to ligaments in the neck stretching and tearing. The most common cause is a car crash. Despite pain and stiffness, it is better to keep the neck mobile.