Who Do I Have Such a Stiff Neck When I Wake Up?

As the morning sun begins to creep in through the windows, and the smell of freshly brewed coffee eases its way into your senses, you can’t help but think to yourself, “Today is going to be a good day.”

But all of your thoughts and senses are immediately clouded by a shooting pain in the left side of your neck. Waking up with a stiff and painful neck can be the result of something as simple as your sleeping position or as complex as an underlying cervical spine issue.

Wondering what you’ll make for breakfast should be the most worrisome aspect of your morning routine–don’t let the pain from a stiff neck put a damper on your day! Keep reading as we help you make sense of your neck pain, and when it might be time to visit a pain management clinic near you.

Why is Your Neck Stiff and Sore When You Wake Up?

Between 10 to 20 percent of adults experience neck pain, so it’s common to sometimes wake up in the morning with a sore, stiff neck.

If you don’t have a history of long-term neck pain, your sleeping habits may be to blame. From a lackluster pillow to an uncomfortable sleeping position, there are multiple factors in your sleep that could trigger a painful neck when you wake up.

However, if the problem persists throughout the day or over the course of weeks, more serious conditions may be the culprit.

Here are some of the most common causes behind a stiff neck when you wake up:

Your Pillow

While some of us favor a plush pillow to rest our heads on at night, it could be the reason for an aching neck in the morning. A pillow that is too soft won’t provide the proper support your head and neck need, creating tension in your neck muscles overnight.

Unsure if your pillow is too soft? Try bending your pillow and then quickly letting go. If it flops back over quickly, it’s time to invest in a pillow with a bit more support.

Your Sleep Position

Sorry stomach sleepers – this one’s for you. If your ideal sleep position is on your stomach, you may be causing undue stress to your neck and back. When you sleep on your stomach, your neck may twist to one side, often for hours at a time.

Twisting your neck out of alignment with your spine can put pressure and tension on the joints, leading to a not-so-comfortable morning.

Problems with Posture

If your neck pain continues throughout the day, it may have nothing to do with how you sleep and everything to do with how you carry yourself throughout your daily routine. Slumping in your chair at work, or even holding a strict, tall posture could be putting pressure on your muscles. Try to find a posture that is both relaxed and aligned.

Prior Injuries

Whether you’ve been in a recent car accident or suffered a sports-related injury, it’s entirely possible for the physical effects to take hold days later. If you were injured or there was a strain on your neck, consult a pain management physician immediately. Your sore neck may be the result of a more serious injury and will need to be handled with the proper care and treatment plan.

Cervical Spine Conditions

Osteoarthritis in the upper spinal joints or nerve compression caused by a herniated disk can cause neck pain that gradually worsens throughout the night. These conditions can result in chronic neck pain, along with other potential symptoms.

If you find yourself suffering from prolonged neck or back pain, consult a pain management physician near you.

When Should You See A Pain Management Physician for Your Neck Pain?

Don’t panic if you wake up one morning with a stiff and painful neck. Often, our sleeping habits are at the root of the issue and a few simple changes can help alleviate the pain.

However, it’s just as important to recognize when neck pain goes from being a temporary problem to prolonged pain. Talk to a doctor if you start to notice any of the following in regard to your neck pain:

Inability to turn your head
Pain that makes it difficult to fall asleep
Neck pain following a severe injury or incident
Neck pain followed by numbness or weakness in your arms and legs
Loss of control of your bladder
Pain that persists longer than a week

Prevention Tips That Won’t Be a Pain in the Neck

If you are suffering from the ache and pain of a stiff neck, there are different things you can do to help manage and alleviate the pain.

Neck Exercises

Gently tilting your head, turning your head side to side, or rolling your shoulders can help stretch your neck, shoulders, and back muscles to help relieve tension. Talk to a physician before engaging in these simple exercises, as they can cause undue strain and stress on your neck.

Adjust your Posture

If you have a profession that requires you to sit at a desk for a long period of time, take breaks to move around and adjust your posture. This will help keep the muscles in your neck and shoulders loose and prevent stiffness from hunching over.

Find the Right Pillow

Sleeping with the right pillow could mean the difference between waking up in pain or waking up with ease. Consider a feather pillow or one with memory foam, as these conform to the shape of your neck and head.

Say Goodbye to Stomach Sleeping

Switching to your back or side will help keep the spine and neck aligned, reducing stress on your neck muscles and making it easier to wake up pain-free.

Consult a Pain Management Physician

While many steps can be taken at home to ensure a pain-free morning, it never hurts to talk to a pain management physician. Ruling out underlying causes of your neck pain can not only provide peace of mind but help in establishing a treatment plan that works for you.

Our interventional pain management techniques may include physical therapy for neck pain, steroid injections, or medical massage to help loosen the muscles and tension in your neck and shoulders.

Sources: Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) & Harvard Health.

Don’t Sleep on Pain! Experience the Relief You Deserve with a Visit to Pain Specialists of Charleston!

Neck pain can be, well, a pain in the neck! From the stress on your muscles to the inability to go about your daily routine, neck pain can leave you feeling defeated before the day even begins.

At Pain Specialists of Charleston, we believe that everyone should have the chance at a pain-free life.

From interventional pain treatments to the latest medical research, our Board-Certified Physicians specialize in helping our patients say goodbye to pain without surgery or habit-forming drugs.

Schedule an appointment with us today and get back on track to enjoying your mornings–without the pain!

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