Muscle spasms in the neck occur for a variety of reasons, including whiplash from an automobile collision, poor posture, or overusing or straining the neck muscles. Spasmodic torticollis, a condition that causes the head to turn to the side when the neck muscles contract, may result from a brain lesion, anti-psychotic drugs, infections or unknown causes, reports The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. Treatment involves correcting the underlying cause and applying comfort measures.
Medication
Over-the-counter analgesics such as acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDS, may relieve the pain of neck spasms, according to MayoClinic.com. A health care provider may prescribe stronger NSAIDS or narcotic painkillers for short-term use. Muscle relaxants such as cyclobenzaprine, methocarbamol or metaxalone may also relieve neck spasms. However, these medications may cause adverse side effects such as fatigue, nausea, blurred vision, headache, nervousness and confusion, especially in elderly patients. Some individuals may find relief from medications injected by a health care provider, including corticosteroids. Injecting botulinum toxin type A, also known as Botox, relieves painful muscle contractions for several months in 70 percent of patients with spasmodic torticollis, but repeat treatments are less effective, according to The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. Medication by mouth may relieve pain in torticollis patients but often does not reduce the spasms.
Thermal Therapy
Applying ice or cold packs to the neck for 20 minutes every hour while awake may help relieve muscle spasms during the first two days after an injury. Thereafter, the patient may use a heating pad to relieve spasms, taking care to avoid burning the skin by leaving the device on too long.
Rest
Reducing activity for a day or two may help relieve spasms, but a long period of bed rest might cause the neck muscles to stiffen, states MayoClinic.com. Because the neck must hold the head up, lying down for brief periods gives the muscles a chance to rest. Individuals with spasmodic torticollis may need to use a cervical collar to support the neck while the body is upright. Contour pillows provide support and pain relief when the patient is resting.
Physical Therapy
After the patient experiences some pain relief, physical therapy may help to reduce spasms, strengthen the muscles, improve posture and prevent future episodes of pain, says MayoClinic.com. Physical therapy may include stretching and strengthening exercises, massage and neck manipulation.
Surgery
If neck muscle spasms result from an injury or deformity of the spinal column and cannot be relieved by nonsurgical methods, a spinal fusion or other surgical procedure that corrects the underlying problem may relieve the spasms. Patients with spasmodic torticollis may require surgery to sever the nerves that affect the neck muscles, according to The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library.
