Introduction 

Have you ever experienced a sudden, uncontrollable tightening of your neck muscles? This is known as a spasm. Neck spasms are frequently accompanied by other symptoms including neck pain and stiffness. Individuals suffering from these symptoms can cause difficulties to move your neck, head and shoulders due to the contracting muscles. Several minutes to weeks the symptoms can last. Even when the spasms end, the agony can occasionally persist.¹

Causes of neck spasms

Below are a few of the typical underlying reasons that cause neck spasms.

1. Carrying overweight bags on a single-shoulder
2. Carrying heavy things, particularly in one arm
3. Staring at a computer, TV or cellphone for a long time
4. Dehydration

Some of the serious less common causes of neck spasms include: 

1. Meningitis: a dangerous illness that results in inflammation in the tissues that surround the brain and the spinal cord
2. Cervical spondylosis: arthritis in neck
3. Spinal stenosis: occurs when there is an open space in the spine narrow
4. Osteoarthritis: a type of arthritis, involved in the deterioration of cartilage in your spinal joints
5. Cervical dystonia (spasmodic torticollis): a neurological condition where your neck spasms cause your head to spin in numerous directions without your control¹

Anatomy of the neck

The head and the remaining parts of the body are connected through the neck. It is situated between the mandible and the clavicle which connects the head to the torso directly and it also contains several vital components The neck's structures are in charge of breathing, speaking, swallowing, controlling metabolism, supporting and connecting the brain and cervical spine, and facilitating the input and outflow of lymph and circulation from the head.²

Overview of neck muscles

Neck muscles are part of a sophisticated musculoskeletal system, consisting of bones and soft tissues, which connects your torso to the base of your head. Muscles are composed of fibres that contract (become small) to enable a wide range of movements. Neck muscles support swallowing, chewing and nodding your head and there are over 20 muscles in the neck.³ Muscles found in the neck can be widely sub-categorized into three types are anterior, posterior and lateral (prevertebral) neck muscles.⁴ Neck muscles have different functions like.³

1. Supporting and stabilizing your spine, neck and head
2. Raising your upper back to allow for inhalation
3. Displaying a particular facial expression
4. Moving your shoulder blades, upper ribs, neck and head

Anterior neck muscles include:

1. Platysma
2. Sternocleidomastoid
3. Subclavius
4. Suprahyoids
5. Infrahyoids
6. Scalenes

Platysma

The superficial cervical fascia covers this muscle, which is the first one found during neck dissection. It is situated in the front part of the neck and extended superiorly to the mandible and the superficial fascia of the face from the deltoid’s superficial fascia over the clavicle.⁵

Sternocleidomastoid

There are more than 20 pairs of muscles that work on the neck, in this Sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle is also one of them. In this, SCM has N number of tasks and has two innervations. The SCM's unilateral contraction regulates in a threefold movement, including the head’s rotation towards the side opposing the contraction, its inclination from the contraction side and includes expansion.⁶

Infrahyoid muscles

Infrahyoid muscles are also termed strap muscles. They are made up of four coupled muscles, they are sternohyoid, sternothyroid, omohyoid and thyrohyoid. These muscles are divided into two layers. The omohyoid and sternohyoid, constitute the superficial layer and the sternothyroid and thyrohyoid make the deep layer.

Through the action of the larynx, the infrahyoid muscles work together to actively participate in swallowing. The hyoid bone is depressed by the omohyoid, sternohyoid, and thyrohyoid muscles. While the sternothyroid depresses the larynx, the thyrohyoid lifts it.

Due to its connection to the carotid sheath, the omohyoid also plays a role in maintaining appropriate venous blood return. Increased blood return to the superior vena cava occurs when the internal jugular vein maintains a low-pressure system due to the pull of the omohyoid on the carotid sheath.⁷

Posterior neck muscles are¹

1. Splenius capitis and splenius cervicis
2. Suboccipital muscles
3. Transversospinalis muscles

Splenius capitis and splenius cervecis - Muscles that resemble like straps on the back of your neck that support head rotation and extension.

Some of the symptoms of a neck spasm are

1. Rapid and acute pain in your neck may hurt more when you try to move it
2. Pain or discomfort in your neck that seems to be originating from the deepest part of your neck muscles
3. A sensation similar to "pins and needles" at the base of your neck
4. Difficult to move your shoulders, head, or neck
5. Stiff or painful neck muscles
6. Headache
7. Fainting¹

Management and treatment of neck spasms

Heat/cold therapy

Heat from a heating pad or other source relaxes muscles that are tight, providing momentary pain relief. In the meantime, applying ice or cold packs helps provide temporary comfort by stopping the nerves from sending pain signals. The ideal one to utilize is the one you favour. Try contrast therapy, or switching between hot and cold, if either heat or cold alone isn't effective. These are some recommended routines that you can follow several times a day.⁸

• 20 minutes of heat therapy and 30 minutes of rest 
• 10 minutes of cold therapy followed by 15 to 30 minutes off
• Contrast therapy: If necessary, repeat for a second cycle by applying heat for five minutes, ice for five minutes, and heat for five minutes

Over-the-counter medications

Neck pain can be effectively treated with analgesics such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), naproxen (Aleve) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin).⁸

Prevention of neck spasms

To keep your muscles flexible and develop strength, stretch your neck on a regular basis.

Stretch occasionally while at work, particularly if you spend a lot of time sitting behind a computer.

Carrying large goods or bearing the majority of your weight on a single arm or shoulder should be avoided.¹

Take more steps each day. For a six-month period, office workers who walked more steps per day had a much higher chance of avoiding neck pain than those who did not alter their routine.⁸

Summary

In conclusion, acute pain, discomfort, and trouble moving can all be signs of neck spasms, which are defined as abrupt, involuntary muscular contractions in the neck. There are numerous reasons, from commonplace activities like lifting heavy objects to more serious conditions like meningitis or cervical dystonia.

It is necessary to understand the intricate anatomy of the neck, which includes the more than twenty muscles categorized as anterior, posterior, and lateral, in order to comprehend the dynamics of neck spasms. Certain muscles have specialized functions in supporting actions including head movement, neck stability, and swallowing.

Some of the examples of these muscles are the Platysma, Sternocleidomastoid, and Infrahyoid muscles. Heat/cold therapy and over-the-counter medicines such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen are used for the treatment.

Stretching your neck frequently, avoiding bearing too much weight on a single side and increasing your daily physical activities are all preventive measures. Pain relief and having good neck health for the long term depends upon understanding the causes, anatomy, symptoms, and therapy of neck spasms.