Can’t Turn Your Head? Understanding Pulled Neck Muscles and What to Do About It

What is a Pulled Neck Muscle?

A pulled neck muscle is a strain that occurs when the muscles and tendons in your neck are stretched too far. This can be caused by sudden movements, poor posture, or even stress. For those in high-pressure, desk-based jobs in Singapore, it’s not uncommon to wake up with this type of pain, making it difficult to turn your head or even perform basic tasks.

Symptoms of a Pulled Neck Muscle

If you have a pulled neck muscle, you may experience:

• Acute pain in the neck that limits head movement
• Muscle spasms and tightness in the neck area
• Pain that is aggravated by turning your head or by certain movements
• Stiffness in the neck, particularly after waking up
• Pain that radiates into the shoulders or upper back

Common Causes of Pulled Neck Muscle

Some of the most common causes of pulled neck muscles include:

• Poor Posture: Sitting hunched over a desk or looking down at a smartphone for long hours can strain the muscles in your neck.
• Whiplash or Sudden Movements: Rapid movements, like a quick turn of the head, or an accident can stretch or tear the muscles in the neck.
• Chronic Stress: Anxiety or emotional stress often causes muscle tension, particularly in the neck area.
• Repetitive Movements: Tasks that require frequent turning or tilting of the head can lead to muscle strain.

Potentially Serious Causes of Neck Pain

Although most cases of a pulled neck muscle are not severe, other conditions might cause similar symptoms:

• Herniated Discs: Discs in the cervical spine can slip out of place, causing compression of nerves and severe pain.
• Cervical Spinal Stenosis: Narrowing of the spinal canal in the neck can put pressure on nerves, causing pain and difficulty moving the neck.
• Tumors or Infections: These rare but serious conditions can cause neck pain and require immediate medical attention.

Why Imaging is Important

To accurately diagnose the cause of your neck pain, imaging such as X-rays, MRIs, and ultrasounds is crucial. Without imaging, treatments such as pain relief, physiotherapy, or massage might not effectively target the underlying issue. Imaging helps us determine whether the pain is from a simple muscle strain or if there’s a more serious cause that requires a different treatment approach.

At The Pain Relief Clinic, we offer fast, affordable imaging services that deliver results in under one working day. If your treatments haven’t worked, we provide a $50 second opinion consultation to explore alternative options.

Why Choose Us?

• Non-invasive treatments to address the root cause of your pain
• Timely imaging services to ensure accurate diagnosis
• Medisave and insurance options available for your convenience

Visit Us If You Are:

• Tired of ineffective treatments
• Wanting a faster, clearer diagnosis through imaging
• Seeking a second opinion before opting for surgery