Problem of a Stiff Neck - Safe Or Serious?

Have you ever experienced stiff neck? Actually, like back pain and headaches, this problem belongs to the list of more common human complaints. This illness occurs when a person suddenly experiences excruciating pain when he or she moves his or her head.
Most physicians consider stiff neck as a harmless medical problem. Most cases are usually caused by sore muscles. Like other muscle aches you experience on your other body parts, stiff neck usually lasts only for a few days.
Stiff neck, like back pain, usually affects a person who does not observe proper posture. Most of the time, people with limited movement like office workers also experience stiff necks. Studies show that limited movement makes the muscle stiffen. When a sudden or abrupt movement is made after the muscle stiffens, it can tear. This is called the muscle strain. Muscle strains are very painful and take a few weeks to heal. Apparently, there is nothing you can do but wait.
However, to ease the pain, people who experience stiff neck may consume pain relievers like paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin. Topical pain relievers in the form of lotions, gels or creams are also available.
Also like back pain, not all stiff neck cases are caused by muscle soreness. Sometimes, an underlying problem may be present. And this can be pretty serious.
The spine is made up of twenty four vertebrae and nine other bones. The vertebrae are connected to each other by tissues known as cartilages. These cartilages prevent friction when you are moving. The spine is divided into different regions which has different functions.
Medical professionals say that the upper part (known as the "cervical region") contains the smallest and the most delicate vertebrae. Since these seven bones are the closest to the brain, many nerve tissues are located in this region.
One medical problem that affects this vertebral region is cervical spondylosis. Cervical spondylosis can be fatally serious when left undetected, but is generally a benign condition when treated early. Fortunately, majority of the cervical spondylosis cases are detected early because of the pain felt by the patients.
Cervical spondylosis is a medical condition when the cartilages that connect the vertebrae have worn down and are replaced by mineral deposits that harden. Since the soft tissues are ones that allow movement, replacing them with minerals that harden will definitely mean very limited movement. Also, since the cartilages also prevent friction, replacing them with hard mineral deposits can cause a great deal of pain.
The most common symptom of this illness is stiff neck, and very limited or painful neck and back movements. Sometimes, the minerals may compress the vertebra itself and affect the nerves inside it. The usual effects of this situation are weakness of the arms and legs and loss of control of bowel and bladder.
Stiff Neck

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