Stiff necks are ubiquitous in adult populations

Aging and lifestyle are traditionally to blame- white collar office jobs have contributed to more hours spent with poor, forward head posture than ever before. Then you add in the technology wave that has brought us to rely on cell phones for communication and entertainment and the recipe thickens: our necks are now up against it more than ever. And while a stiff and sore neck is certainly annoying, we are often able to ignore it and get on with our day. Some of us may even stretch to momentarily alleviate tension, but the underlying cause of the stiffness and soreness will remain, unless we are more proactive about preventing it. But what if your sore neck is sending a warning sign that you aren’t seeing? Here’s how to know when a stiff neck could be a serious problem.

Warning signs: what your stiff neck is telling you

Most instances of a stiff, sore neck are simply related to sprain, strain or overuse of the supportive tissues surrounding the spine. However, if your stiffness and soreness are accompanied by:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Fever 
• Numbness, tingling in the extremities
• Loss of coordination
• Reduced cognitive function
• Fatigue 

…we advise you to check in with a medical professional. These are signs that your stiff neck is a symptom of a more serious condition and it behooves you to determine its true cause. You will want to rule out conditions like tumor, infection or meningitis that could be causing your symptoms. 

We are looking out for your neck

At OFW Chiropractic, we are Westwood’s neck care specialists and we want to help you prevent a sore, stiff neck from developing into a more chronic, life-defining condition. Barring any of the serious conditions listed above, your stiff, sore neck is most likely caused by a combination of aging and lack of attention to caring for it. We help you with spinal adjustments, soft tissue therapy and lifestyle advice on things like diet and stretching to help you leave the stiffness behind.