Neck Pain and COVID-19: Causes, Duration, Treatment

Exploring the Link Between Neck Pain and COVID-19

With its wide variety of potential symptoms, COVID-19 can cause an array of body aches and pain. For many dealing with the virus, significant neck ache and stiffness emerges as a common affliction.

Why COVID-19 Causes Neck Pain

There are a few reasons why the SARS-CoV-2 virus behind COVID leads to pronounced sore, stiff necks in many patients including:

• Inflammation - Bodywide inflammation from viral infection can irritate nerves and muscle tissue in the neck
• Lymph Nodes - Swollen lymph nodes under the jaw and neck put pressure on surrounding nerves
• Headaches - Severe COVID headaches lead to compensatory neck muscle strain
• Coughing - Repeated heavy coughing tenses neck muscles leading to ache

Common Neck Pain Symptoms With COVID

Those suffering neck discomfort from COVID typically experience pain localized to areas like:

• Back of the neck
• Sides of the neck
• Front of the neck along the throat
• Jaw joints where the jawbone connects with the skull

This neck ache frequently presents alongside other viral symptoms like:

• Stiffness and tightness limiting range of motion
• Sharp, stabbing pains when moving the neck
• Dull, constant muscle soreness
• Radiating pain into the base of the head or top of shoulders
• Popping or cracking sounds from neck joints
• Headaches made worse by neck movement

How Long Does COVID Neck Pain Last?

The duration of neck pain stems from the underlying inflammatory processes behind it. In mild cases, neck achiness starts improving within days to a week as virus levels decline in the body. More moderate or severe COVID cases may struggle with stiff neck discomfort for several weeks after active infection passes.

Inflammation can flare after viral infection itself clears, keeping neck pain going. Some recovering patients also develop muscle guarding due to injury fears, which tenses tissues leading to lingering discomfort.

At-Home Care for COVID Neck Pain

Treating neck pain related to COVID-19 focuses on relaxing irritated muscles while allowing normal healing processes to resolve residual inflammation on their own. Helpful at-home care tips include:

Rest Neck Muscles

Avoid activities requiring prolonged positioning like desk work, phone use, and reading during acute neck pain. Take regular breaks from static postures when possible.

Apply Cold Therapy

Using an ice pack, cool gel pack or even a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel helps ease neck muscle soreness and swelling.

Try Heat Therapy

After the first 48 hours when inflammation remains but pain levels increase, use a heating pad or warm compress to encourage blood flow to tense neck tissues.

Gently Stretch and Massage

Begin basic range of motion stretches when neck pain starts improving to limber tissues and prevent guarding. A gentle neck and shoulder self-massage eases muscle tension.

Consider Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers

For significant pain and swelling relief during peak discomfort, OTC meds like ibuprofen or acetaminophen offer help while viral inflammation runs its course.

Adjust Posture and Ergonomics

Proactively modifying posture during normal activities prevents unnecessary mechanical strain on an already inflamed, sensitive neck.

Seeking Medical Care for Persistent Neck Pain After COVID

Though most post-COVID neck pain improves relatively quickly once infection passes, some cases require medical support to resolve. See your doctor if you experience:

• Inability to turn or bend neck after 2 weeks
• Persistent headaches made worse with neck movement
• Noticeable muscle weakness or numbness in shoulders or arms
• Neck pain severe enough to disrupt sleep or normal function
• Sudden onset neck pain months after initial COVID illness

Rare cases of potentially serious issues like vertebral fracture or intervertebral disc protrusion after severe COVID warrant imaging tests. Nerve impingement, tissue scar formation, and unresolved muscle guarding may also need manual therapy or medication after virus clearance.

Medications to Reduce Inflammation and Pain

For moderate to severe neck discomfort not improving with conservative care, doctors may prescribe medications like:

• NSAIDs - Stronger anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve inflammatory irritation in neck tissues
• Muscle Relaxers - Medications easing neck spasms and tension hindering healing
• Nerve Pain Drugs - Gabapentin or amitriptyline to calm sensory nerve inflammation
• Steroid Injections - Direct anti inflammatory medicine into localized, persistent neck pain areas

Physical Therapy for Lingering Neck Pain

If neck discomfort continues despite home care and medication, a doctor may recommend physical therapy evaluation. Hands-on techniques like massage, traction, ultrasound therapy and targeted stretching help resolve post-COVID muscle and joint dysfunction.

Preventing COVID Neck Pain Recurrence

Patients recovering from moderate or severe COVID neck ache benefit from certain lifestyle measures to prevent repeat issues after future viral illnesses including:

• Posture Training - Correct poor neck ergonomics and alignment stresses making issues worse
• Targeted Exercise - Build neck muscle strength to better withstand inflammation
• Stress Reduction - Develop resilience against physical tension from anxiety
• Healthy Diet - Nutrient-rich anti inflammatory foods support tissue healing
• Quit Smoking - Eliminate added inflammation factors slowing recovery

Making sustainable changes to enhance general health both empowers the body to avoid severe COVID infection to begin with, while dealing better with symptoms should they emerge anyway.

The Outlook for COVID Neck Pain Sufferers

For most recovering from COVID-19, neck discomfort remains temporary - improving in tandem with clearance of the SARS CoV-2 virus from the body. Supportive home treatment coupled with patience allows the post-viral inflammation driving muscle aches to run its course.

Rarely, more destructive injury or nerve compression develops, necessitating medication or rehabilitative therapy. But generally, COVID neck ache follows patterns typical of viral inflammation. Caring for the neck properly while allowing nature to take its healing course leads to full resolution in most cases.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.