Neck twitching is an involuntary and abrupt contraction, or an uncontainable tightening and shaking, of a neck muscle in reaction to overuse, strain, fatigue, or muscle pain related to a disorder or trauma.
Twitching or muscle spasms of the neck occur because of sudden jerking of the neck or improper exercise. Contrariwise, twitching may occur due to inactivity as well; sitting for long periods of time or driving for long intervals.
Twitching may also be caused due to tic, muscle strain, or muscle tension, either from physical exertion, such as lifting heavy weights or a vigorous workout, or because of tensing the muscles unknowingly due to stress
Etiological factors include:
- Muscle strain
- Muscle tension
- Fracture
- Physical overexertion (lifting heavy weights or rigorous exercise)
- Tension headache
- Cervical dystonia
- Cervical spondylosis
- Degenerative disc disease
- Side effects to certain drugs
- Herniated disc
- Fibromyalgia
- Infection of the bone
- Spinal stenosis
- Spondylitis
- Tic
- Viral infection
Symptoms: The neck muscles will go in to a spasm or contraction. Twitching may be frequent and repeated; and there could be associated pain depending up on the cause of the twitching.
Natural Ways To Stop Neck Twitching
Here is a range of home remedies which will help you ease and treat this condition effectively.
- For mild cases of twitching and spasms, doctors recommend gentle and gradual stretching of the affected muscle.This is exceedingly beneficial when the disorder is due to over-exertion or inactivity; because in both types, the neck muscle becomes tight and constricted. Stretching gently is very essential to prevent the spasm from occurring, as well as allaying the existing spasm. Turn your head gently to the right and the left; and then up and down. A gentle head roll is effective too.
- Heat application helps immensely too. Apply heat to the affected part. A heating pad will help, however, moist heat is ideal; experts say. A hot bath will step up the blood circulation, helping the constricted muscles to relax.
- Get a massage on a regular basis in case you suffer from the condition frequently. A good massage works out the knots in the tense neck muscles, enhances circulation of blood in the area, and provides temporary or permanent relief. Book yourself for regular massages; however, ensure that you go to a certified and licensed masseur. Drink plenty of water if you are scheduled to have regular massages; otherwise the released toxins will cause an accumulation of lactic acid in the muscles, thus triggering a relapse of the spasm.
- Ginger is an excellent home remedy to manage muscle twitching and other related symptom such as pain, soreness and discomfort. When you have an episode of twitching make sure that you have at least 3 glasses of ginger tea daily. Thereafter, ensure that you have one glass daily. Ginger is an amazing herb which helps fight most muscle-related problems. Ginger is packed with a compound called gingerols, which help fight pain, inflammation, swelling and soreness effectively.
- Aromatherapy is also advocated by a lot of experts. Essential oils have the power to manage a host of muscle-associated disorders successfully. You could integrate aromatherapy with massage and ask your massage therapist to include essential oils in the therapy. Recommended essential oils for muscles are Clove essential oil, Nutmeg essential oil, Ginger essential oil and Lavender essential oil.