Can prolonged neck stiffness be a cause of concern?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 19-year-old female weighing 135 lbs, and my height is 4 feet. I have been having a stiff neck for about more than a year, and I am afraid it could be something serious. I have had this issue for over a year. Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your query and concern.

First, let me begin by saying how sorry I am to hear you are having a stiff neck. Now to answer your question, I would need more information.

How long has it been happening? Can you touch your chin to your chest? Can you bend your neck forward and backward, and how about side to side? What makes the pain worse, and what makes the pain better?

All of this would be very helpful. I would say that if you cannot touch your chin to your chest, you should probably go to the doctor immediately, assuming this is a new onset of neck stiffness. If you were my patient, I would perform a chiropractic examination and would most likely recommend chiropractic adjustments and exercises if you were a candidate for care.

I suggest that you go back to a local chiropractor for treatment and proper care. Once they perform an examination, your chiropractor may want to order X-rays to confirm a diagnosis, but I would suspect that he or she will recommend a trial of care to see how you respond to care.

I hope this helps.

All the best.