Conditions & Diagnoses: A-Z

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Stiffness in the Head Neck and Spine

Definition:
Nonspecific term for limited head neck and spine mobility, often due to muscle cramps and spasm accompanied by pain.
Symptoms:
  • Loss of ROM in the head neck and spine
  • Pain in the head neck and spine
  • Swelling in the head neck and spine
Causes:
  • Tension headaches
  • Cluster headaches
  • Migraine headaches
  • Tumor
  • Motor vehicle accident
  • Muscle sprain/strain
  • Poor posture
  • Trauma
  • Fracture
  • Herniated disc
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Bone spur
  • Spondylosis
  • Spondylolisthesis
  • Stress
  • Stenosis
  • Sciatica
Treatment:
  • ROM and stretching exercises
  • Core stabilization exercises
  • Upper and lower extremity strengthening
  • Posture program