Symptoms similar to a stiff neck, headache when bending to the left: causes

Jun 26, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

My aunt has been unable to move her neck since waking up last Friday. Whenever she bends her head to the left, she experiences severe pain. She thought she had a stiff neck, but even after a week, it still hasn't improved. May I ask, what could be the cause of this?

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Xu Shuai
The causes of symptoms resembling a stiff neck and left-sided headache may include the following: 1. **Improper sleeping posture**: Incorrect sleeping positions, especially with a pillow of inappropriate height, can cause neck muscles to remain overstretched for prolonged periods, leading to muscle spasms and pain. 2. **Muscle strain**: Vigorous activity or excessive exercise may cause strain in the neck muscles. During sleep, improper posture can worsen the strain, resulting in headache. 3. **Cervical spondylosis**: If the patient already suffers from cervical spondylosis, improper sleeping posture or unsuitable pillows may exacerbate the condition, causing headaches. 4. **Other causes**: Symptoms may also arise from conditions such as shoulder periarthritis, or be triggered by unhealthy lifestyle habits such as staying up late, alcohol consumption, or exposure to cold. The causes of symptoms resembling a stiff neck and left-sided headache are varied, and diagnosis and treatment should be based on the specific individual condition.