IS THAT FAN MAKING MY NECK STIFF?

We can all agree it gets pretty hot in Florida in the summer. This past summer, for example, was a real terror with the temperatures visiting the high 90s again and again. You have to wonder how anybody lived in Florida before air conditioning was invented. Ponce de Leon was probably looking for the Fountain of Youth because he thought it would cool things down.

The hot summers create a desperate need for air conditioning or a good fan. Unfortunately, either one can give you a stiff neck. We’ve all known that for a while but had to wonder why.

The Illinois Back Institute developed a case study about a patient who developed a stiff neck that progressed to intense neck and back pain. The problem likely came from the breeze generated by an open window, an air conditioner, or a fan.

The case study said the patient was sleeping well and using a blanket. The air conditioner made the room colder.

“Still sound asleep, she got too warm, maybe even a little sweaty and she threw her blanket off her upper back. At this point, the room became cold and her muscles started to tighten, but she didn’t wake up. Eventually her tight muscles started to cramp.” Her joints started locking up until “she could barely move her neck and her muscles were in spasm until she received treatment.”

Some argue that an air conditioner or fan doesn’t cause a sore neck, it only intensifies an existing problem.

Chiropractor Jonathan Karnitsky says, “These things merely trigger the problem which already lies within the body, whether it be an old injury causing scar tissue and misalignment or repetitive habits which accelerate the wear and tear of the spinal structures.”

Thankfully, we don’t have to turn off the air conditioning or trash the ceiling fan.

And remember how nice Florida is in the winter when those less fortunate folks up North are digging out of ice and snow.

Just take a few precautions:

• Keep your furnace on during spring and fall. The heat will only come on when it’s really cold.

• Reverse the air flow upward on your fan so it’s not blowing directly on you.

• If an air-conditioning vent blows directly on you, install a deflector to move the air away.

• Wear clothing or use blankets that will cover and keep your neck from getting a chill.

SOURCES:

“A Cause of Neck Pain You Can Avoid, ” Massage Therapy & Wellness Canter, Michigan City, IN, May 30, 2014 http://wellness-specialists.com/a-cause-of-neck-pain-you-can-avoid/ — “The Classic ‘Stiff Neck’,” by Jonathan Karnitsky, D.C., peakperformchiro. net — http://www.peakperformchiro.net/uploads/6/0/9/2/6092970/ stiff_neck_article.pdf — “Remedies for a Stiff Neck,” by Susan Knowlton, Health Guidance for Better Health — http://www. healthguidance.org/entry/15582/1/Remedies-for-a-Stiff-Neck. html — “Why does cold air blowing over your neck make it stiff?” by Joseph Blair, Quora.com — https://www.quora.com/Why-doescold-air-blowing-over-your-neck-make-it-stiff — “Case Study: Waking Up With a Stiff Neck by Ryan Chapman,” Illinois Back Institute, May 8, 2014 — http://www.illinoisbackpain.com/casestudy-waking-stiff-neck-ryan-chapman/

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