bad habit. help! - Open to All Other Health Topics Message Board

tabbilah · 08-25-2006, 10:49 PM

Somehow, I developed a habit where I tense up the muscles in my neck. I sometimes do it without even thinking about it. If this continues for an extended period of time, do you think it could have any damaging or longterm effects? Please respond. Thanks.

kehorner · 08-27-2006, 02:07 PM

Other than sore muscles or tension headaches, most people don't really have any problems. I had an issue with this a few years ago, and ended up with some nerve issues. There is a nerve that goes through a muscle to get up to the back of the scalp. It got squeezed by the muscle and caused quite a bit of pain. I had to take muscle relaxers and try to keep my neck relaxed. After a while, the nerve got over it and calmed down. But that's probably the worst consequence I can think of.

thegardener · 09-12-2006, 05:05 PM

I know someone who got permanent muscle damage from it. He tensed the muscles so much and so hard that blood flow was compromised and now he has a lot of scar tissue there (I'm sure this is very rare, but I guess it can happen). Try to break this habit. Try setting a timer and everytime it goes off loosen your muscles. Soon it will be habit to not tense them. I used to tense my muscles and I just became conscious of it and stopped it every time I did it. Now I don't do it anymore. Also, is there anything you can do about your stress level or how you view the situations? Good luck.