STIFF-NECK DUE TO WEARING MASK

Wearing masks have become the new normal. It has also literally become “a pain in the neck”.

 Those of us required to wear masks for prolonged periods of time often start to feel pain and discomfort around the neck, jaw, and head.

• Masks can limit the lower field of vision

• Particularly if they are not well fitted

• Causing people to tuck in their chins

• Shifts their body position

• Hold their necks and posture stiffly

• To maintain a line of sight.

 MASK DESIGN AND FIT

Finding a mask that fits properly and comfortably is the key to lessening and preventing neck and head pain.  Try on a variety of different masks until you find the perfect fit for you.

• The band-around-the-head design and the band-around-the-ears design. 
• If either mask style is too tight around the face———> it pushes your head back and———> creates compression at the jaw, ———>head, and neck.
• This compressive force can irritate———> facial nerves which triggers———> headaches, facial pain, and neck pain.
• It is also possible to experience referral pain in arms and shoulder.
• Compression around face also limits ———> jaw movements ———> leads to abnormal jaw movements———> limits mouth movements.These restrictions ———> leads to muscle tension and fatigue———> jaw, neck and head pain.
• If opting for the loop around the ears design , you should avoid wearing a mask with elastic bands that fit too tightly around the ears.
• Tight pulling force at the back of the ears pulls the head and neck forward ———> shortened / weak muscle lengthening, headaches ,joint compression , nerve compression, arthritis or even injury to dusk of cervical.

Physiotherapy treatment involves

• MFR
• Release tissue restrictions around neck, head and back.
• Manual release techniques around the joint to improve mobility and pain relieve.
• Stretching and ROM exercises
• Strengthening exercises for head and neck.