When a muscle spasm occurs, your muscles tighten and then contract involuntarily. This can happen suddenly and without warning. Muscle spasms can occur all over the body, and the location of your muscle spasms can help determine the root cause. You can’t control when muscle spasms occur, and they can also be difficult to predict. However, you can talk to your doctor about ways to prevent muscle spasms from continuing to occur. A muscle spasm in your neck may alarm you, but many times these are relatively common occurrences. However, when neck spasms start to interfere with your regular routines and quality of life, you want to talk to your doctor about the best neck pain treatment options for you.
Neck Muscle Spasm Symptoms
The sudden onset of a neck muscle spasm can cause a variety of symptoms. In many cases, neck spasms will resolve on their own within a few minutes. However, if you experience these symptoms for extended periods of time, then you want to talk to your doctor about your neck muscle spasms before they become chronic. Here are common examples of neck spasm symptoms you might experience.
Pain & Discomfort
The most common symptom of neck muscle spasms is pain. Whether you feel a sudden, stabbing pain or a dull throbbing pain, a neck spasm can be incredibly uncomfortable. Pain with a neck spasm may be constant and can even travel through your shoulder and into your arm. Some people describe pain from a muscle spasm like a sharp or burning sensation. The pain associated with a neck spasm can last anywhere from a few seconds to 15 minutes or more. Muscle spasms can reoccur, which can lead to pain and discomfort that lasts for extended periods of time.
Decreased Mobility
Neck muscle spasms can lead to a decrease in your range of motion. This means you may have trouble turning your head from side to side or up and down. Decreased mobility with a neck muscle spasm can result in a stiff, sore neck. Bending your neck or turning your head can become uncomfortable or difficult while you are dealing with a neck muscle spasm. When muscles contract or tense up, they cannot function at their best. If you deal with frequent or repetitive neck spasms, then you may notice decreased mobility while trying to do everyday tasks like driving.
Muscle Cramping
When the neck muscles spasm, it can lead to an uncomfortable cramping sensation in your neck. The muscles in your neck may contract strongly and suddenly, but not release or relax. This tightened contraction can cause a sharp pain like you have a muscle cramp in your neck. Muscle cramping with a neck muscle spasm can also feel like you have a tightened knot in your neck or upper back. This can also cause your muscles to twitch when your neck muscles contract and relax repeatedly. These twitches are known as fasciculation and can feel like a slight flutter or intense discomfort.
Headaches
You may experience headaches along with neck muscle spasms or as a result of neck spasms. Headaches may happen at the same time as a spasm because of the increased tension in muscles that support the spinal cord in your neck. Tight, stiff muscles can aggravate nearby spinal nerves and lead to a headache. The stress and discomfort from neck spasms can also result in tension or stress headaches. Talk to your doctor about headache treatments.
Less Common Symptoms
Other symptoms of neck spasms may include difficulty with vision, dizziness, balance issues, and fatigue. These symptoms are less common and are more likely to occur when a neck spasm causes severe pain and discomfort. You may notice trouble with your vision, like blurred vision or difficulty holding your head still due to a neck spasm. Severe pain from a neck spasm can lead to temporary dizziness and cause problems with your balance and coordination. The stress and pain from neck spasms can also make you feel very fatigued afterward.
Causes of Neck Muscle Spasms
Neck muscle spasms can occur for a wide range of reasons. Take note of what symptoms you experience to help your doctor determine what causes neck spasms so you can find out the best next steps for you.
Neck Strain
One of the most common neck spasms causes is neck strain. When the muscles or tendons in the neck stretch too far or tear, this is known as a neck strain. This type of neck injury is commonly referred to as a pulled muscle. A pulled muscle in your neck can cause mild to moderate discomfort depending on the size and location of the tear. The muscles in your neck help you keep your head upright and move your head, neck, jaw, upper back, and shoulders. Even the slightest strain in one of your cervical muscles can lead to small tears that can lead to neck spasms and other symptoms.
Neck Sprain
While strains primarily affect muscles and tendons, sprains affect ligaments. Ligaments in the neck help support the range of motion with your head and neck and stabilize your spine. When these ligaments become overstretched or torn, it can lead to a neck sprain. Symptoms of a neck strain vs. a neck sprain can be difficult to determine on your own. However, a doctor can help determine whether the source of your pain and other symptoms is due to a neck sprain or strain.
Overexertion
Whenever we overwork muscles, we run the risk of those tired and fatigued muscles going into spasm. Certain sports and activities may make you more susceptible to neck spasms caused by overexertion, like swimming, dance, and soccer. A neck injury like whiplash can also cause your muscles to overexert and stretch too far. Another way to overexert the muscles and soft tissues in your neck is by lifting something too heavy. Straining or overexerting your muscles when you lift something can lead to spasms in the neck.
Herniated Disc
A herniated disc is a type of spinal condition where a spinal disc aggravates or compresses nearby muscles or nerves. Healthy spinal discs provide stability and shock absorption and separate each vertebra in your spine. When one of these discs becomes damaged or worn down, the tough outer shell can tear or crack. A torn or cracked disc can allow the jelly-like insides to spill out and aggravate nearby tissues and nerves, which is known as a herniated disc. If you have a herniated disc in your neck, it can cause inflammation in nearby muscles and cause them to spasm.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis refers to the most common type of arthritis caused by wear and tear on the body as we age. The protective cartilage on the joints starts to wear away with age, which can lead to joints like the vertebrae in your spine rubbing together. Osteoarthritis in your neck can cause inflammation in nearby soft tissues like your neck muscles. Your body may respond to osteoarthritis by growing bone spurs to help stabilize the joint, which can aggravate nearby nerves and trigger neck spasms.
Peripheral Neuropathy
When nerves become aggravated or compressed, it can cause pain, weakness, and numbness. These symptoms collectively are known as peripheral neuropathy when one of your peripheral nerves is compressed or damaged. Peripheral neuropathy in your neck can cause these nerves to malfunction, affecting their ability to effectively send signals to and from the brain. This can disrupt healthy functioning nearby and affect your reflexes, motor functions, and lead to muscle spasms.
Neck Injury
A sudden injury to the head, neck, or upper back can also lead to muscle spasms in the area. Whiplash is a common car accident injury that impacts the muscles in the neck, causing them to strain and tear. Other examples of neck injuries include a pinched nerve or neck fracture. Some head injuries, like a concussion, can also lead to symptoms in the neck like muscle spasms.
Treatment for Neck Muscle Spasms
Talk to your doctor if you experience frequent neck spasms that are causing you pain and discomfort. Your doctor will want to diagnose the root cause of your muscle spasms to get help addressing the underlying cause and provide you with lasting relief. For minor muscle spasms that do not occur often, you may be able to manage the symptoms at home with self-care like taking over-the-counter medications for pain and inflammation. You can also apply heat or ice to the area, which can help provide a temporary numbing sensation for pain relief and help soothe stiff, aching muscles. Your doctor may also recommend activity changes like avoiding certain movements that may make your pain worse. Stretches and exercises can also help you improve strength and mobility in your neck for better stability and support.
Visit a Lithia Springs doctor at AICA Orthopedics near you and get started on neck pain treatment that’s right for you. Our team of multi-specialty doctors offers personalized treatment plans to address your specific symptoms and help get to the root of your issues so you can experience long-lasting relief.