We know the Neck supports head and protects the nerves which transport information to the rest of the body.
It’s a highly complex and flexible body part that includes the seven vertebrae which make the top portion of the spine it’s known as the cervical spine.
The neck as we know has a tremendous level of functionality, however it’s also subject to a great deal of stress. Sometimes weird feeling in neck can be due to many causes, it can be in the form of an uncomfortable tightening feeling which is different from the sharp or severe pain which one would feel after an injury like whiplash or any other condition like pinched nerve.
Below in this article I have discussed all forms of causes which can lead to weird feeling in the neck .
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What’s causing weird feeling in neck?
The discomfort or weirdness in the neck could be triggered by a number of causes including following:
Posture
As we know neck supports head, and the average human head weighs about 4.5 kgs. If by any case the posture is poor, the neck muscles are required to work in inefficient ways to held and support the weight of the head which causes an imbalance that can lead to a weird feeling of tightness in the neck.
Computer
If one spends long hours sitting in front of a computer, the arms and head will be positioned toward the front of the rest of the body for extended periods of time, causing the muscles of head and neck to contract more and more which can lead to tightness in the neck and, eventually, to severe pain.
Phone
If a person is hunched over the phone checking social media, playing games or watching streaming video, he might eventually notice tightness in the neck, which in particular is called text neck , it can lead to pain and weird feeling in the neck.
Purse
It’s very common when people use a shoulder strap to carry a heavy purse, briefcase, or travel luggage it can put an uneven strain on the neck muscles which can eventually lead to the feeling of tightness and pain in the neck.
Sleep habits
Improper sleep habits can lead to weird neck feeling, strain and tightness too. It’s better to sleep with the head and neck aligned with the rest of the body. Best option is to consider sleeping on the back with a pillow under the knees and to avoid pillows which elevate neck too much.
TMJ
Temporomandibular joint is a disorder that is typically associated with jaw and facial discomfort, however it can affect the neck as well and lead to neck pain too
Stress
In particular psychological stress can cause tension in the neck, giving a weird tightening feeling. Stress or any kind of tension may make the muscles which run from the back of the head across the back of the shoulder like trapezius muscle feel tight and sometimes painful. One may not be able to move the head without pain and might need treatment
Repetitive moments
If a person is doing a job that requires to perform repetitive movements with the arms and upper body, it can affect the muscles of the neck one of the earliest sign to be seen can be a feeling of tightening and eventually pain.
Arthritis
Be it due to athritis or any other damage to the discs of the neck can lead to a pinched nerve which causes neck pain that generally affects one side of the neck and the arm on that particular side. Other symptoms may develop, with time like numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arm or hand or even in neck .
Meningitis
It is a very serious viral or bacterial illness which causes inflammation around the tissues of the brain and spinal cord, the symptoms come on quickly and mostly include severe headache, stiff neck, fever, and sometimes vomiting. The weird feeling in neck can be in the form of stiffness which makes it hard or impossible to touch the chin to the chest.
Flu
The flu, that’s usually not serious, can cause symptoms similar to that of meningitis. When weird neck feeling in the form of pain is caused due to flu, the neck and the rest of the body tend to ache all over, however severe neck stiffness is absent.
Torticollis
Its caused due to severe muscle contraction on one side of the neck, leading the head to be tilted to one side. The chin is mostly rotated toward the opposite side of the neck in it.Torticollis can be congenital that is present at birth or can be caused by injury or any disease.
Cervical herniated disc
There is a protective outer portion of a disc in the cervical spine and if it breaks down, then the inner portion leaks out, causing compression and inflammation in nearby tissues which can lead to weird neck feeling and pain in the neck.
Cervical degenerative disc disease
As with time discs lose hydration and height , pressure increases on the nearby joints, nerves, and soft tissues, like ligaments and muscles. This process can result in weird neck feeling like neck pain and stiffness.
Cervical osteoarthritis
Arthritic breakdown of the cervical facet joints between vertebral bones typically occurs along with other degenerative conditions, like spinal stenosis, and anatomical changes, like bone spurs this can cause weird neck feeling like pain.
Injury
The neck is in particular very vulnerable to injury, especially in falls, car accidents, and in some sports, where the muscles and ligaments of the neck are forced to move outside of their normal range.If the neck bones that is cervical vertebrae are fractured, there are chances that the spinal cord may also be damaged. Neck injury due to sudden jerking of the head can cause weird neck feeling pain and much more.
Heart attack
In very few cases rarely neck pain can also be a symptom of a heart attack, however it often presents with other symptoms of a heart attack, like :
- shortness of breath
- sweating
- nausea
- vomiting
- arm pain or jaw pain
If the neck starts hurting suddenly and one has other associated symptoms of heart attack, call an ambulance or go to the emergency care immediately.
Rheumatoid arthritis
This disease can cause pain, swelling of the joints, and bone spurs all over the body including in the neck area which can lead to discomfort and weird neck feeling
Osteoporosis
It’s a medical condition that weakens bones and can lead to small fractures. This medical condition often happens in the hands or knees, however it can also occur in the neck and lead to weird feeling in the neck.
Fibromyalgia
It’s a condition which causes muscle pain throughout the body, especially in the neck and shoulder region so could be the reason for weird neck feeling
How to manage weird feeling in neck?
To help relax the muscles and ease the pain which might be contributing to the weird feeling in the neck, there are some behavioral adjustments one can easily make, including following:
- Relax: If the neck starts to tighten up, try relaxation techniques like meditation, massage, and controlled deep breathing as these can help in some cases.
- Move : if a person drives long distances or spends long period of time working at the computer he should periodically stretch shoulders and neck and take small breaks to stand up and move in between work.
- Change your work environment : the chair should be adjusted in such a way that the knees are slightly lower than the hips and computer monitor should be at eye level.
- Get in line : doesn’t matter whether a person is sitting or standing, he should try to keep the shoulders in a straight line over the hips while, at the same time, he should keep the ears directly over the shoulders.
- Get wheels : during travel, it’s best to use wheeled luggage.
- Stop smoking : We all know this, smoking is bad for health. According to some research smoking can enlighten muscle pain including neck pain
When to see your doctor if weird feeling in neck?
If symptoms persist for many days or more than a week, consult with the doctor. One should also see a doctor if you have any of following with weird neck feeling:
- Severe neck pain without any apparent cause
- Lump in your neck
- Fever
- Headache
- Swollen glands
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Trouble swallowing or breathing
- Weakness
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Pain that radiates down to arms or legs
- Inability to move the arms or hands
- Inability to touch the chin to the chest
- Bladder dysfunction
- Bowel dysfunction
Takeaway
The body organ neck, with its too many jobs like holding up the head and moving the head in many directions, endures a significant amount of stress and strain however we don’t always offer it the best support we can.
We hunch on the phones and sit for extended period of time with hands on a computer keyboard or an automobile steering wheel which are not good habits at all. Tightness or any weird feeling in the neck might be the signal that one should be taking better care of the neck in everything a person does from maintaining healthier posture to sleeping in a better position to making the workplace more ergonomic