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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Can Bruxism Cause Stiffness In Neck And Back Pain?

I have had a sore, stiff neck for about a week. It was worse (to the point I couldn t sleep) but has gotten better. I have Bruxism and thought that might be the cause as when I m under stress I tend to get a lot of neck, shoulder and back pain - but never has it been this persistent, severe or non-responsive to medication. As I said, it has gotten better over the past couple days, but still don t have full mobility and still a dull pain when relaxed and more intense of I tilt or turn my head for far to the right. I noticed two days a go that I have a small, hard, pea sized lump on the left side. It seems to be on the tendon that runs down the side of my neck into the back. The lump is about half way up the length of my neck and is about half way between the spine and the ear. When I push on it kind of hurts but at the same time gives relief and it kind of seems like the pain may be radiating from there (At the worst I had pain all through my spine, shoulders and neck but it is now just that tendon that seems to hurt). I m not sure if I should see a doctor as the pain is subsiding now, but am a bit concerned about the lump.
Fri, 17 Apr 2015
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Physical Therapist or Physiotherapist,  's  Response
Bruxism is a condition in which you grind or clench your teeth. If you have bruxism, you may unconsciously clench your teeth together during the day, or clench or grind them at night (sleep bruxism). But it does not cause neck pain.

Here you have symptoms of sore and stiff neck along with lump near to your neck spine. Its good that you are getting better day by day. But since you have told that this happens regularly and before also you had pain and stiffness like this I suggest once you need to diagnose it properly and take steps on prevention of it again.

Here you can check in lump if it is increasing in size and if it is painful then you need to visit doctor for proper examination and evaluation. Similarly since your neck movement is still not free so I suggest to visit orthopedic doctor here doctor will check your neck with physical tests and if needed will suggest for x-ray and MRI scaning too.
I suggest to go ahead for it. Here based on evaluation and scaning report if there is a mild to moderate problem with soft tissue and spine then with few medication he will suggest you for physiotherapy treatment for further relief.
If there is major problem in spine or the lump then doctor will suggest for surgical correction and then physiotherapy management to give further relief.
Here do not forget on taking advice on postural correction and spinal exercises to follow it regularly for prevention of pain.
You can also use hot and cold pack for having some more relief.

I am sure it will be useful for you if you follow all above steps. Take care.
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Can Bruxism Cause Stiffness In Neck And Back Pain?

Bruxism is a condition in which you grind or clench your teeth. If you have bruxism, you may unconsciously clench your teeth together during the day, or clench or grind them at night (sleep bruxism). But it does not cause neck pain. Here you have symptoms of sore and stiff neck along with lump near to your neck spine. Its good that you are getting better day by day. But since you have told that this happens regularly and before also you had pain and stiffness like this I suggest once you need to diagnose it properly and take steps on prevention of it again. Here you can check in lump if it is increasing in size and if it is painful then you need to visit doctor for proper examination and evaluation. Similarly since your neck movement is still not free so I suggest to visit orthopedic doctor here doctor will check your neck with physical tests and if needed will suggest for x-ray and MRI scaning too. I suggest to go ahead for it. Here based on evaluation and scaning report if there is a mild to moderate problem with soft tissue and spine then with few medication he will suggest you for physiotherapy treatment for further relief. If there is major problem in spine or the lump then doctor will suggest for surgical correction and then physiotherapy management to give further relief. Here do not forget on taking advice on postural correction and spinal exercises to follow it regularly for prevention of pain. You can also use hot and cold pack for having some more relief. I am sure it will be useful for you if you follow all above steps. Take care.