[The accompanied article is extracted from the webpage of http://www.medicinenet.com. It is useful to take note of this painful occurence and how to resolve it] A muscle cramp is an involuntarily and forcibly contracted muscle that does not relax. When we use the muscles that can be controlled voluntarily, such as those of our arms and legs, they alternately contract and relax as we move our limbs. Muscles that support our head, neck, and trunk contract similarly in a synchronized fashion to maintain our posture. A muscle (or even a few fibers of a muscle) that involuntarily (without consciously willing it) contracts is in a "spasm." If the spasm is forceful and sustained, it becomes a cramp. Muscle cramps cause a visible or palpable hardening of the involved muscle. Muscle cramps can last anywhere from a few seconds to a quarter of an hour or occasionally longer. It is not uncommon for a cramp to recur multiple times until it finally goes away. The cramp may involve a part o...
Neck Muscle Strain and Spasm Part 2 on Neck Pain
by Baxter As promised last time (see A Literal Pain in the Neck), I want to look at a more specific cause of neck pain today and talk about ways to approach it with your yoga practice. And as in “life imitates art,” I was on a red-eye flight last week, and despite my use of the neck pillow and good sleeping alignment, my four-hour plane nap left me with a very stiff and sore neck. In all likelihood, the source of my discomfort was my neck muscles suffering a mild strain from the unnatural immobility I placed them in. Muscle strain and spasm is probably the most common source of neck pain in all ages, young and old. But although it holds the number one spot, the good news is that it is also the one that is most likely to resolve quickly, especially if addressed appropriately. You can bet your bottom dollar I was doing some of the exercises described below the next day! Now here comes an overarching principle that will likely apply to other causes of neck pain we will cover down the...