BODY SIGNAL ALERT NECK SPASM WITH LOCKED MUSCLES: DESCRIPTION AND POSSIBLE MEDICAL PROBLEMS
If you’ve ever had writer’s cramp or have been awakened in the middle of the night by painful leg cramps, you’re familiar with the pain caused by involuntary muscle spasms. Relief comes when you knead the cramp or change the position of the affected area.
But sometimes a pain in the neck can turn into a spasm that doesn’t go away no matter what you do. Torticollis spasmodic is a condition where the head becomes locked into one position and you’re unable to move it. It may or may not “unlock” on its own and without warning. However, you should seek medical help immediately.
Torticollis spasmodic can be caused by a number of health problems, including hyperthyroidism, a congenital muscle imbalance, or a defect of the spine. In some cases, the spasm may appear from time to time before disappearing on its own after a few hours or days, while in others the torticollis spasmodic can get progressively worse.
Treatment
If your neck muscles suddenly lock up and make it impossible to move your head, you should call your doctor immediately. In fact, if you’ve been taking phenothiazines and feel even a slight spasm in your neck, you should head for the emergency room. Whether the cause is medication or a health disorder such as hyperthyroidism, an injection of antihistamine will usually relieve the spasm and “unlock” the neck muscles.
However, this form of treatment should be provided only by your physician, since over-the-counter antihistamines in the form of pills usually won’t work. Once treatment is successful, it’s important that you avoid any medication that contains phenothiazines for the rest of your life.
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