The movement of a body part in the posterior direction, i.e. backwards. (Also movement of a protracted body part back to the anatomical position.) Uncrossing arms and allowing them to rest at either side of the body; retraction of clavicles.
However, stiff neck is also a symptom of meningitis (along with headache and fever). Neck stiffness may also develop as a reaction and result of muscle spasm in various conditions that cause neck pain, including traumatic injuries. Medically Reviewed by a Doctor on 3/30/2015.
Straining in the neck muscles is by far the most common cause of a stiff neck. Neck pain often develops from pulling certain muscles abruptly, soft tissue sprains, slouching and injuries to the levator scapula muscle (a thin muscle located at the back and side of the neck, just below the upper part of the trapezius).