A stiff neck refers to a tightness or rigidity in the muscles supporting the neck. Nuchal rigidity refers to a stiffness that prevents bending of the neck and limits movement of the neck. Neck stiffness can be simply a mild discomfort and slight problem in moving the neck. Or it can be severe pain and the inability to move or bend the neck at all.
Most people have experienced a stiff neck at some point in their life. However, it usually only lasts a day or two before going away. For some, however, a stiff neck can be a long-term condition that limits mobility and makes it difficult to complete daily tasks.
Neck stiffness can be annoying and can be a cause of various illnesses and health conditions. Levator scapula is the most commonly involved muscle in a stiff neck problem. It is the muscle that connects the neck with the shoulder. The most common symptom of stiff neck is the pain experienced while trying to turn the head sideways. It will restrict your neck movements and you’ll often turn your entire body instead to look in the required direction. This can be accompanied by stiffness in the upper arms. Slight pain while moving your head or neck can be a symptom of stiff neck.
Neck pain may originate from any of the structures in the neck. These include muscles and nerves as well as spinal vertebrae and the cushioning discs in between. Neck pain may also come from regions near the neck, like the shoulder, jaw, upper arms, and head. Some neck stiffness also related with headache. When your neck is sore, you may have difficulty moving it, especially to one side. Many people describe this as having a stiff neck.
If neck pain involves nerves (for example, significant muscle spasm pinching on a nerve or a slipped disc pressing on a nerve), you may feel numbness, tingling, or weakness in your arm, hand, or elsewhere.
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