Neck Spasm Causes, Symptoms, Prevention, Treatment

By Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa, B.A.M.S
Neck spasm is also a muscle spasm i.e. involuntary tightening of the muscles of and around the neck. Muscles are seats of kapha dosha as they share resident (muscle) – residence (kapha dosha) relationship. Kapha in a balanced sate help in maintaining muscle function, mainly flexibility of muscles and different movements caused by the muscles.
Read – Muscle cramps: Causes, Symptoms, Ayurvedic Treatment, Herbs

Ayurveda Concept

Pathological vata lodged in the muscles / Mamsagata Vata – When vitiated vata gets lodged in the muscles it starts destroying the muscles by destroying the kapha by its qualities. The qualities of vata are opposite to those of kapha and also muscles. With time, degeneration and dryness of the muscles start. This would affect the flexibility and movements of the muscles. This would also cause spasm of the muscles. When vata increases beyond proportions anywhere in the body it would cause pain, in the neck muscles in this case. So, the ‘neck spasm’ can be considered as ‘mamsagata vata condition occurring in the neck muscles’ i.e. galagata mamsagata vata.
Read – Vata Disorders (Vatavyadhi): Definition, Causes, Symptoms

When vitiated pitta gets lodged in the muscles of the neck, it would cause inflammation in those muscles. This may also be associated with pain, mainly of burning type and would include other symptoms of inflammation / pitta aggravation. Similarly there may also be pathological increase of kapha in the neck muscles. This would cause stiffness, heaviness and excessive softening of muscles but in this case the spasm or pain may be absent.
Read – Pitta Increase Symptoms – Pitta Vriddhi Lakshana

From the etiological factors perspective
Even most of the etiological factors mentioned as causal of neck spasm are vata aggravating factors which include excessive exercise, carrying heavy weights or holding the neck in odd positions, poor postures, emotional stress, trauma and dehydration are vata aggravating in nature.
Read – Symptoms Of Vata Dosha Increase And Imbalance – Vata Vruddhi Lakshana

Symptoms

Symptoms from dosha perspective

Treatment

• Nidana Parivarjana – One should avoid the causative factors which had caused the disease and its symptoms. This would help in prevention of the disease. If the symptoms are already manifested avoidance of the causes would prevent the worsening of the condition. After the treatment and after the symptoms have been relieved it would help in preventing recurrences.
• Vata combating measures
  Since neck spasm is predominantly caused by aggravation of vata the main strategy of treatment would be to combat the vata and bring it to balance.
• Abhyanga and Swedana
  Massaging the neck with medicated oils, mainly oils prepared with vata mitigating herbs would help in relieving pain, spasm and tightness. When this is combined with sudation the relief would be enhanced. Sudation followed by massage would relax the muscles. This would not only relieve the symptoms of the disease but will also help in improving the movement of the neck muscles. Therefore herbal oil massage and sudation always is the best option in comprehensively handling the symptoms of neck spasm.
• Patrapinda sweda i.e. leaf bolus sudation prepared with vata alleviating leaves like Ricinus communis etc shall be used to provide heat to the affected part of the neck. This is beneficial in relieving pain, stiffness and other symptoms of neck spasm.
• Shashtika Shali Pinda Sweda i.e. medicated rice bolus sudation shall be used to strengthen the muscles and soft tissues around the neck.
• Taila Dhara
  Pouring in stream / showering of medicated oils on the neck.
• Lepa
  Application of pastes prepared with vata mitigating herbs shall be a useful inclusion in treating neck spasm. Similarly herbal powders like Rasnadi Churna shall be made into paste and applied hot / warm over the painful part of the neck.
• Upanaha
  The same medicaments used for application of medicinal pastes shall be used for preparing the poultice. These poultices shall be used hot / warm over the painful neck muscles.
• Nasya
  Errhines / medicated oils instilled in the nose is the best remedy for disorders of head and neck.
• Basti
  Medicated enemas are the best therapies for any vata disorder / afflictions. It shall be considered in chronic vata aggravation (chronic neck spasm in this condition) and when the above said interventions do not work out in relieving the symptoms of neck spasm.

Other treatment principles
Neck Spasm shall be treated on the lines of treating the below mentioned conditions –

• Vata Vyadhi – Vata disorders
• Mamsagata Vata – a condition in which the aggravated vata has got lodged in the muscles
  Read – How To Balance Vata Dosha? Line Of Treatment And Reasoning

Medicines

Useful medicines for neck spasm
For external therapy (massage, showering)

• Mahanarayana Taila
• Mahamasha Taila
• Ksheerabala Taila
• Bala Ashwagandha Taila
• Prasarinyadi Taila
• Karpuradi Taila

For Nasal medication

• Ksheerabala Taila 101
• Shadbindu Taila

For enema

• Erandamuladi Kashaya Basti
• Mustadi Yapana Basti
• Guggulutiktaka Ghrtam
• Ksheerabala Taila

Oral Medications

• Prasarinyadi Kashayam
• Maharasnadi Kashayam
• Gandharvahastadi Kashayam
• Mahayogaraja Guggulu
• Trayodashanga Guggulu
• Valiya Marma Gulika
• Ksheerabala Taila 101
• Maharajaprasarini Taila

Modern View

Muscle Spasm – An involuntary tightening of any muscle in your body is called as ‘muscle spasm’. Spasms cause intense pain. Even after the muscle has relaxed and the spasm has subsided, the pain can last for few minutes to hours or even for many days. These spasms can happen anywhere in the body.
Neck Spasms – When such spasms followed by painful condition in the muscles occur in the neck, it will be called as ‘neck spasm’. Neck spasm is caused when the muscles of the neck contract involuntarily. They can be very painful. They may also cause headaches or dizziness.
Read – Stiff Neck Causes, Ayurvedic Treatment And Remedies

Causes

Amongst many causes of neck spasms, the below mentioned are the most important –

• Exercise – straining of neck muscles during exercise
• Carrying weights – carrying heavy weights or things using one or both arms or placing too much weight on the shoulder (like a heavy bag)
• Odd position – holding the neck in an unnatural position for longer duration of time (example – sleeping in odd positions, holding the phone between shoulder and ear while speaking)

Other common causes of neck spasm

• Poor posture – head tilting, slouching etc
• Changing position / turning suddenly while at sleep
• Repeated / prolonged movements of the neck
• Working on computers for extended periods of time
• Emotional stress
• Dehydration

Less common causes – These causes may be less common but on the other hand may be more serious causes of neck spasms –

• Meningitis
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Cervical spondylosis
• Spasmodic torticollis / cervical dystonia
• Spinal stenosis
• TMJ or TMD – Temporo-Mandibular Joint Disorders
• Trauma (accidents or falls)
• Whiplash
• Disc herniation
  Read – Ankylosing Spondilitis In Ayurveda – Pathogenesis, Treatment

Symptoms

• Deep muscle pain – sharp and sudden pain in one or more parts of the neck
• Hardness or tightness – may occur in the affected muscle
• Difficulty in moving the neck and shoulders
• Painful movement – it would be painful to move the neck and shoulders
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Tingling sensation in the back of the neck

Night time neck spasms
One might experience spasms in the neck at night time by sleeping in odd position which might cause straining of the neck or use a pillow or mattress which doesn’t give good support. Spasms can also occur when one clenches or grinds the teeth while sleeping. One should therefore sleep on their back or side instead of sleeping on one’s stomach. This would minimize the strain on the neck. A memory foam pillow or feather pillow shall be used. The pillow should not be too high or stiff while being supportive. One might be benefitted even by using firm mattress. Use a mouth guard in consultation with your dentist if you experience teeth clenching or grinding while at sleep at night.

Neck Spasms in Children
Neck spasms in children are most often than not caused by muscle strain. It might be caused by one or more of the below mentioned factors –

• Excessive indulgence in sports / physical activities
• Carrying heavy backpacks
• Using smartphone or computer or watching television for long periods of time
• Sleeping in odd positions which would cause neck strain leading to neck spasm

Mild cases can be treated as in adults i.e. with rest and use of home remedies and pain relievers.
Neck injuries of children should not be neglected or injured as may occur in a fall or accident or while participating in contact sports. It needs to be reported as soon as possible and interventions shall be sought out for. These cases might involve spinal cord injury. Meningitis shall be suspected if there is neck stiffness and fever over 100.0⁰ F and the child shall be taken to the doctor immediately.
Read – Cervical Spondylosis: Ayurvedic Treatment

Relation with anxiety
Both emotional and physical stress can cause stiffness in the muscles. Relaxation techniques might help in easing the symptoms of neck spasm if it is caused due to high levels of stress or anxiety. Below mentioned may be tried –

• Meditation
• Deep breathing exercises
• Yoga
• Tai chi
• Massage
• Acupuncture
• Walking regularly
• Relaxing bath

When to consult doctor?

Neck spasms may be associated with serious issues in the backdrop. One should see the doctor immediately in the presence of one or more of the below mentioned conditions –

• Neck pain caused by fall or injury
• Numbness in the neck, back, limbs or any other parts of the body
• Trouble moving limbs
• Loss of control over bowels and bladder
• Difficulty to sleep or take part in normal day to day activities
• Symptoms not going away after a week or so in spite of trying home remedies and other relieving measures
• Symptoms return after having subsided
• Symptoms of meningitis should alert you to seek emergency medical attention – symptoms include sudden high fever and chills, stiff neck, headache, purple bruises on the skin,

One also needs to speak to his or her doctor if the symptoms are very severe or are lasting longer i.e. for more than a week.
Read – Leg Cramps During Pregnancy: Causes, Remedies, Ayurvedic Oil Massage

Preventive measures

One needs to consider the below mentioned measures so as to prevent neck spasms. They are –

• Regular exercise
• Regular breaks from the computer screens
• One should adjust the screen height of laptop or computer that they are using by using stands
• Office chairs which promote good posture shall be made use of
• One should immediately stretch the neck immediately after experiencing slight pain or discomfort in the neck
• Supportive pillows shall be used
• Strengthening exercises shall be done to improve posture

Treatments

• Anti-inflammatory medicines
• Muscle relaxants
• Pain relief medicines
• Steroids / anesthetic injections – shall be preferred if the other treatments are ineffective
• Physical therapy

Research – An expectorant named Guaifensin has been proved as an effective medicine to treat neck spasms.
Read – Facial Paralysis- Ayurvedic Treatment, Medicines, Home Remedies

Home Remedies

Home remedies might help in relieving neck spasms but they should not be tried in case of serious pain or symptoms.

Pain relievers – They help in reducing the neck pain caused from a neck spasm. They ease muscle tension by reducing inflammation which can worsen the pain caused by neck spasm.
Ice Pack – This would mainly work in the first 2-3 days after the neck spasm. It is applied by wrapping an ice pack or bag of ice in a thin cloth or towel. Cold application shall be done for a maximum of 10 minutes at a time and not for longer duration. For the first 2 or 3 days of the neck spasm, ice application can be done once an hour.
Heat Therapy – Help in soothing the pain. A warm cloth or warm water bottle or heating pad shall be pressed against the sore muscles of the neck. A warm shower too will help. The temperature shall be checked before application so as to avoid the burns. A thin cloth shall be placed between the warm bottle or heating pad and the skin over the sore muscle. One should avoid falling asleep while having a heating pad pressed on the neck / skin of the neck.
Massage – It will relieve the neck pain and spasms. The pressure applied by the massage on the neck muscles would promote relaxation and also relieves pain and tension caused by neck spasm. A study (2014) showed that even a short time massage therapy can reduce neck pain to a great extent.
Stress management measures – one need to manage stress effectively. Stress management would ease neck pain and also relieve stress. This involves taking regular breaks from work, regular exercises, deep breathing, yoga and meditation. A study (2008) showed that neck, shoulder and back pain were experienced to a lesser level in those who had participated in stress relieving activities in comparison to those who did not participate in these activities.
Light activity – One need to take proper rest to recover from the pains caused by neck spasm. One should not be totally inactive. Light activity is needed. One should stop doing strenuous activities and at the same time should keep moving (making light movements / activities). One should stop lifting heavy objects. One should also avoid twisting the neck or upper back and also should not participate in contact sports until the symptoms of the neck spasm ease off. One should continue doing gentle stretches and other light activities while being within ones limitations, whichever activities are possible to do without worsening the pain or any other symptoms caused by neck spasm.
Exercises for Neck Spasm – Exercises form important interventions in dealing with neck spasms, mainly those which are common and not serious. One should not indulge in exercises if he or she thinks that the neck spasm is not simple and involves serious neck injury or a serious medical condition in the backdrop. Gentle stretching of neck would help in easing spasms, stiffness and soreness in most cases of neck spasms.
The exercises which can be done and practiced at home –
Simple neck stretch
Scalene Stretch
Neck curl and head lift – In lying down position put your hands behind your head and tuck your neck into the chest. Now gradually lift your head off the floor while keeping your shoulders on the floor. Repeat this procedure 4-5 times. This forms one round of the exercise.
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