![Several muscles are present in the neck to allow the movement of the neck and maintain its shape and structure.](https://images.medicinenet.com/images/article/main_image/neck-muscles.jpg?output-quality=75)
Several muscles are present in the neck to allow the movement of the neck and maintain its shape and structure. One of the major muscles in the neck is the trapezius. The trapezius muscles are the large muscles of the upper back. The trapezius muscles function to move, rotate, and stabilize the scapula (shoulder blade). Many muscles around the neck that help to support the cervical spine, which allows you to move the head in different directions.
- Longus colli and capitis: Responsible for flexion (lowering the chin toward the chest) of the head and neck.
- Rectus capitis anterior: Responsible for flexion of the neck.
- Rectus capitis lateralis: Helps the neck to bend to the side.
- Scalene muscles: Responsible for lifting the first and second ribs, assisting with breathing.
- Levator scapulae: Responsible for the movement of the scapula (shoulder blade) in an upward and downward motion.
- Rectus capitis lateralis: Allows the neck to flex from side to side.
- Obliques capitis superior: Allows the neck to extend and flex to the side.
- Obliques capitis inferior: Assist with head/neck rotation.
What are the causes of neck pain?
Common causes of neck pain include:
- Muscle strain: This may be caused by factors, such as poor posture (e.g., while using a computer or smartphone, slouching), poor neck support while sleeping, watching TV, sports or workout activities, anxiety, and stress.
- Whiplash: This is a form of neck sprain caused by the sudden back and forth movement of the neck. This stretches the neck muscles and ligaments more than normal, causing a sprain. Whiplash most commonly occurs following a car accident and may occur days after the accident.
- Cervical spondylosis: This arthritis of the neck is related to aging. As you age, your intervertebral discs (the cushioning structures present between the bones of the spine or vertebrae) lose moisture and some of their cushioning effect. The space between your vertebrae becomes narrower, and they may begin to rub together. Your body tries to repair this damage by creating bony growths (bone spurs). This condition may not present any symptoms; however, when they do occur, the most common symptoms are neck pain and stiffness. Some other symptoms are tingling or numbness in the arms and legs if bone spurs press against nerves. There can also be a narrowing of the spinal canal (stenosis).
- Slipped disc: It is also called a herniated or bulging disc. This occurs when the tough outside layer of disc tears or ruptures and the soft jelly-like inside bulges out and presses on the nerves in your spine.
Other common symptoms
- Pain in the shoulders and/or upper chest
- Stiff neck
- Difficulty turning the head
In most cases, neck pain will go away in a few days. If it doesn’t get better or if you develop other symptoms, you should see a doctor.
![](https://images.medicinenet.com/images/quiz/human-body/human-body-s1.jpg)
QUESTION
What percentage of the human body is water? See AnswerWhat does a torn neck muscle mean?
Torn muscles, also called muscle strains, result when a muscle is overstretched. It often occurs due to:
- An injury, such as whiplash after a car accident
- Not warming up before strenuous physical activity
- Lifting a heavy object incorrectly, a slip or fall, repetitive movement of muscles (such as rowing, playing football), or sitting in an awkward position for an extended period
Symptoms:
- A torn neck muscle may feel like a sharp, stabbing pain in the neck area.
- You may have a limited range of motion or feel a dull, achy pain in the neck area.
- Other common symptoms of a torn neck muscle include localized swelling, soreness, stiffness, or weakness.
Treatment:
A badly torn neck muscle will likely make it very difficult to move your head and result in severe pain. A mild tear or strain may be stiff for a few days and resolve on its own. Depending on the severity of your neck injuries, the doctor may suggest the following treatment options:
- A soft collar or halo immobilizes the neck to allows the muscles to heal.
- Physical therapy to correct your posture and alignment and help strengthen the muscle.
- Electrical nerve stimulation, which delivers mild electrical pulses to the area. This may help reduce the amount of pain you experience.
- Traction, a treatment that uses weights and pulleys to stretch your neck and relieve the pain.
- Medication, such as steroid or lidocaine injections, to relieve pain.
- In serious cases of torn neck muscles, surgical options may be considered. Factors that may impact your treatment include age, general health, the cause of the injury, and whether any vertebrae were damaged.
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Shiel WC Jr. Neck Strain (Sprain) Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, and Recovery Time. eMedicineHealth. https://www.emedicinehealth.com/neck_strain/article_em.htm
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Common Medical Abbreviations & Terms
Doctors, pharmacists, and other health-care professionals use abbreviations, acronyms, and other terminology for instructions and information in regard to a patient's health condition, prescription drugs they are to take, or medical procedures that have been ordered. There is no approved this list of common medical abbreviations, acronyms, and terminology used by doctors and other health- care professionals. You can use this list of medical abbreviations and acronyms written by our doctors the next time you can't understand what is on your prescription package, blood test results, or medical procedure orders. Examples include:
- ANED: Alive no evidence of disease. The patient arrived in the ER alive with no evidence of disease.
- ARF: Acute renal (kidney) failure
- cap: Capsule.
- CPAP: Continuous positive airway pressure. A treatment for sleep apnea.
- DJD: Degenerative joint disease. Another term for osteoarthritis.
- DM: Diabetes mellitus. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
- HA: Headache
- IBD: Inflammatory bowel disease. A name for two disorders of the gastrointestinal (BI) tract, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
- JT: Joint
- N/V: Nausea or vomiting.
- p.o.: By mouth. From the Latin terminology per os.
- q.i.d.: Four times daily. As in taking a medicine four times daily.
- RA: Rheumatoid arthritis
- SOB: Shortness of breath.
- T: Temperature. Temperature is recorded as part of the physical examination. It is one of the "vital signs."
Head and Neck Cancer Quiz
Learn the facts about head and neck cancers.How Much Does a Neck Lift Cost in 2020?
Though these factors decide the cost of the surgery, your choice should not be based on the financial aspects alone. You should rather give importance to the surgeon’s experience and your rapport and comfort level with them.methocarbamol
Methocarbamol is a medication used to relieve muscle spasms, and relax neck and jaw muscle contraction (lockjaw) caused by tetanus, a serious bacterial infection. Common side effects of methocarbamol include slow heart rate (bradycardia), low blood pressure (hypotension), inflammation with blood clots in the vein (thrombophlebitis), fainting (syncope), flushing, confusion, memory loss (amnesia), sleeplessness (insomnia), dizziness/lightheadedness, vertigo, drowsiness, sedation, mild impairment of muscular coordination, seizures (including grand mal), double vision (diplopia), and others.Myobloc (botulinum toxin)
Myobloc (botulinum toxin) is a prescription medicine used in adults that is injected into muscles and used to treat the abnormal head position and neck pain that happens with cervical dystonia (CD), and into glands that make saliva and is used to treat long-lasting (chronic) drooling (sialorrhea). Serious side effects of Myobloc include allergic reactions with symptoms such as itching, rash, redness, swelling, wheezing, trouble breathing, or dizziness or feeling faint.Neck Pain (Cervical Pain)
Neck pain (cervical pain, cervicalgia) may be caused by any number of disorders and diseases. Tenderness is another symptom of neck pain. Though treatment for neck pain really depends upon the cause, treatment typically may involve heat/ice application, traction, physical therapy, cortisone injection, topical anesthetic creams, and muscle relaxants.Neck Pain and Dizziness
Neck pain and dizziness are both symptoms that may result from several causes and risk factors. Check out the center below for more medical references on neck pain and dizziness, including multimedia (slideshows, images, and quizzes), related disease conditions, treatment and diagnosis, medications, and prevention or wellness.Neck Pain: Causes of Stiffness, Muscle Spasms, Treatment, and Relief
What causes chronic neck pain? If you have poor posture, bad sleep habits, or spine problems, these issues can lead to a stiff neck or other painful symptoms in your cervical spine. Learn about the most frequent causes of neck pain, including spinal stenosis, bone spurs, neck strain, and degenerative disc disease.Shoulder and Neck Pain
Shoulder and neck pain may be caused by bursitis, a pinched nerve, whiplash, tendinitis, a herniated disc, or a rotator cuff injury. Symptoms also include weakness, numbness, coolness, color changes, swelling, and deformity. Treatment at home may incorporate resting, icing, and elevating the injury. A doctor may prescribe pain medications and immobilize the injury.