Cervical Contractures: What They Are, Symptoms and Treatment

Cervical contractures occur when the muscles in the neck remain tense for a prolonged period, causing pain and stiffness that can affect mobility and quality of life. In this article, we explain the most common symptoms, possible causes and which treatment to follow to relieve the discomfort effectively. Keep reading!

What are cervical contractures?

Cervical contractures are an involuntary and sustained contraction of the neck muscles, caused by stress, poor posture, sudden movements or problems affecting the cervical spine.

This muscle tension causes localised pain and can even spread to the shoulders, back and even the head.

The pain may appear gradually or suddenly and, in many cases, can be associated with other symptoms such as dizziness or a feeling of fatigue.

Symptoms of cervical contractures

The most common signs include:

• Pain in the neck and shoulder area.
• Stiffness that limits neck movement.
• Headache, especially at the back of the head.
• Palpable muscle spasms.
• Tingling or a pins-and-needles sensation in the arms and hands in more severe cases.
• Cervical contractures, dizziness, a feeling of unsteadiness or mild vertigo in some people.

Common causes of cervical contractures

Stress and emotional tension, poor posture, especially if we spend many hours working in front of a computer, tablet or mobile phone, sudden movements or heavy physical effort, as well as medical problems such as cervical disc herniation, osteoarthritis or inflammation, can all cause muscle tension, contractions or stiffness.

Treatment for cervical contractures

Treatment for cervical contractures can vary depending on the intensity and duration of the pain. The most effective options include:

1. Physical therapies and exercise:

Doing stretches and specific exercises to strengthen the cervical muscles, as well as therapeutic massage to relax the muscles and applying local heat to reduce stiffness.

2. Topical products:

Anti-inflammatory gels and creams are an excellent option for relieving localised pain. For this, we recommend:

• Pranarôm Aromalgic Pain Relief Gel: helps calm muscle tension and relieve pain effectively, thanks to its formula with essential oils such as white willow, peppermint, rosemary cineole and eucalyptus globulus. In addition, Pranarôm Aromalgic pain relief gel is recommended in cases of sprains, bruises, strains, contractures or trauma.
• Forté Pharma Hialsorb Cold: formulated with menthol, hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulphate, Forté Pharma Hialsorb Cold cream is ideal for applying local cold in cases of recent inflammation or spasms, as it helps reduce the sensation of pain.
• Voltadol: it is a topical anti-inflammatory medicine whose active ingredient is diclofenac, an NSAID that works by relieving pain and reducing local inflammation in muscles and joints.

3. Lifestyle changes

Reducing stress through relaxation techniques, breathing exercises or meditation, maintaining correct posture during work or daily activities, and sleeping on mattresses and pillows that support proper cervical alignment can all help prevent and treat this discomfort caused by contractures.

How to prevent cervical contractures

• Take active breaks if you work sitting down for many hours.
• Avoid staying in the same position for long periods.
• Do regular exercise that strengthens the neck and back.
• Manage stress with healthy habits and relaxation techniques.

Cervical contractures are common, but with preventive measures, appropriate treatments and healthy habits, they can be eased, complications can be avoided and, most importantly, quality of life can improve.